The AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing) reports that, in 2019, more than 80,400 qualified applicants were turned away from nursing schools, primarily due to a lack of faculty.1 This shortage is being felt across health care and could grow even more urgent as an estimated one-third of all nursing faculty retire by 2025.1
The urgent need for nurse educators means new opportunities for you. This position has a median annual salary of $83,1602, and nurse educators employed at colleges and universities, psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals, and general medical and surgical hospitals are even better paid, with median salaries ranging as high as $133,460.2
Beyond a higher salary, the online master's in nursing education program will allow you to take on a meaningful new role where you ensure new nurses are well-prepared, empathize with students' struggles based on your own experiences, and help shape the future standards of health care by instructing its new leaders.
You don't have to place your clinical practice on hold to teach, either — in fact, your daily work will enhance your daily lessons.
Jobs and Income