Masters in Nursing Education

This is an option for the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree that is among the most popular specialty options for students seeking a degree in advanced practice nursing. It is also one of the MSN options that are most commonly available in online format. Many accredited nursing schools offer the Master of Nursing Education as a distance learning option for working RNs who need the flexibility of a distance learning program that can be a full time or part time endeavor, with full scheduling flexibility.

A Master in Nursing Education degree holds out some interesting career options. Many nurse educators work in hospital or clinical settings, providing the training that new RNs need on the job with educational professionalism. Some nurse educators work in programs that provide the required annual continuing education classes each RN must take on a yearly basis. And some nurse educators are able to garner a teaching job in a nursing program at a community college offering the associate's degree in nursing, still a popular route to licensed RN status. Sometimes nurse educators with experience in a particular area such as trauma nursing will become de facto instructors in hospital ER facilities or walk-in clinics. There is nursing education taking place in a wide variety of professional settings.

This is often the choice for mid-career nurses who would like to move beyond working a daily (or nightly) shift in a medical facility and who enjoy training younger RNs. There is a lot to learn in any medical services facility today; an organized training component can be a tremendous contributor to maintaining a high level of effective functionality in large facilities where staff turnover is frequent. The Master of Nursing Education should be a degree that provides multiple opportunities, particularly as the role of nurses expands in the day to day management of medical care in extended care homes, senior centers and hospices.