In the United States of America, there is a current shortage of nurses. In other words, the demand for nurses is more than the current number of practising nurses. As a result of this, it is projected that many individuals will begin new career paths in the nursing profession since over 1 million additional nurses are needed to curb the shortage.
The reasons for this shortage are mainly:
- An ageing workforce is leading to more retired nurses.
- An increasingly ageing population is placing increased demand on the healthcare system.
- Lack of nursing educators.
The third reason is what we will focus on in this article because if this problem is fixed, it will deal with the other reasons.
When we talk about nurse educators, we are referring to medical professionals whose duty is to educate up-and-coming nurses to enable them to join the workforce. Apart from this important duty, these individuals also help to improve healthcare quality and also enhance patient outcomes.
As a result of this, nursing education is very vital to sustain the healthcare system and keep patients healthy. If you want to specialize in this nursing field, then you will need to get an MSN degree. Click here to read more about the Masters of Science in Nursing program/degree.
Nursing Education Explained
This refers to any postsecondary education program which includes a bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, and specialized training for nursing practice. Although the major aspect of nursing education deals with learning and getting knowledge to provide health care services, it isn’t limited to just that. It also deals with the perspectives and values healthcare personnel should have that will enable them to enhance patient as well as facility outcomes.
Nurse educators should have an understanding of the regulations and trends affecting the delivery of health care services. This is important given that they are training the up-and-coming nurses who will become part of the workforce. Hence, they should be equipped to deal with current trends.
Anyone aspiring to specialize in this field should have patient care knowledge, clinical experience, and an in-depth understanding of the healthcare system’s workings. Having an MSN is also necessary as it will equip the individual with advanced knowledge as well as leadership skills. This knowledge and skills will prove useful as they work in teaching hospitals and nursing schools.
Professionals who are in teaching positions go further to get certificates and other educational opportunities that will keep them current.
Roles & Career Opportunities of a Nurse Educator
Once you get an MSN degree with a concentration in Nursing Education, then you can go for different career options. As we said earlier, nurse educators teach both current as well prospective nurses patient care. If you are speculating what these career options are; here are a few:
1. Assistant Nursing Professor
This group of professionals teaches at technical schools, community colleges, and universities. They also instruct graduate and undergraduate nursing students in classroom settings. Hence, they can lecture, create curricula, give and mark homework, as well as monitor projects. Furthermore, they supervise students as they carry out their clinical work. Visit https://www.lawinsider.com/ to see a detailed definition of clinical work.
These professors also develop deep connections with their students and provide them with resources that will help them choose the right career path. They serve as mentors as they encourage students to become prosperous in their careers.
2. Clinical Educator
This group primarily works in clinics or hospitals. They attend to RN to BSN or RN students and provide them with teachings in both laboratories and classroom environments. They also give lectures, give and mark tests, contribute to the creation of new curricula, and act as consultants to students.
These educators regularly provide classes on computer training, patient care, and CPR for physicians, staff members, and different patient groups. A clinical educator may be called on to write new policies that will guide clinic and hospital units or departments.
3. Nurse Consultant
These consultants guarantee that facilities in the healthcare industry maintain the best patient care level there is to offer. In most cases, these medical practitioners operate in particular departments which include geriatrics, paediatrics, oncology, and women’s health.
In addition to the above, they engage in the assessment of patients’ treatments plans, recommend the improvement of plans, make changes in a unit or department, and train nurses regarding certain subjects.
They either observe a patient directly or interview them to enable them to suggest improvements that will be most effective.
To be effective in the nursing education field, you will need to possess strong technical and clinical skills that are based on current best practices and evidence. In this field, keeping up with current trends is fundamental.
Conclusion
Nursing education offers individuals who specialize in this field different career opportunities that aren’t available to those who weren’t trained in this field. Due to the level of training they undergo, these medical practitioners can function in different roles within the healthcare industry and even in the educational industry.
