What does a Nursing Instructor do?
Published 4 min read
A nursing instructor is a registered nurse who provides instruction and guidance to nursing students. The instructor may work in a classroom setting, or they may provide clinical instruction in a healthcare facility. The instructor is responsible for helping students to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to become successful nurses.
Nursing Instructor job duties include:
- Plan, prepare and deliver lectures to nursing students
- Set and mark examinations and other assessment tasks
- Provide academic and pastoral support to students
- Engage in scholarly activity and contribute to the development of the nursing discipline
- Maintain currency in clinical practice
- Participate in faculty and departmental meetings
- Serve on university committees as required
- Undertake professional development activities to maintain registration
- Perform administrative duties as required
Nursing Instructor Job Requirements
A nursing instructor typically has a bachelor's degree in nursing and at least two years of experience working as a registered nurse. Some states also require nursing instructors to be licensed as a registered nurse and to have completed an accredited nursing program.
Nursing Instructor Skills
- Patience
- Empathy
- Communication
- Organization
- Leadership
- Problem solving
- Flexibility
- Creativity
- Collaboration
- Critical thinking
- Teaching
Related: Top Nursing Instructor Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Nursing Instructor
There are many reasons why someone might want to become a nursing instructor. Maybe they love teaching and want to share their knowledge with the next generation of nurses. Maybe they want to help shape the future of healthcare. Or maybe they simply want to make a difference in the lives of those who will one day care for others. Whatever the reason, becoming a nursing instructor can be a rewarding experience.
Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re interested in becoming a nursing instructor:
1. Get experience: Before you can start teaching, you need to have some experience under your belt. Most nursing instructors have at least a few years of clinical experience, so start by getting a job as a registered nurse. Work in different areas of nursing to get a well-rounded view of the field. And don’t forget to keep up with your education; many nursing instructors have at least a master’s degree in nursing.
2. Know your stuff: As a nursing instructor, you’ll be responsible for teaching students about complex topics like human anatomy and physiology, disease processess, and pharmacology. You need to be an expert on these subjects before you can start teaching others. Be sure to stay current on new developments in the field of nursing so that you can pass that knowledge on to your students.
3. Be patient: Nursing can be a demanding profession, and it can be challenging for students to learn everything they need to know. As a nursing instructor, it’s important to be patient and understand that not every student will grasp every concept immediately. Be prepared to explain things in different ways and provide extra support when needed.
4. Be organized: Nursing instructors need to be able to juggle multiple tasks at once. In addition to preparing lectures and leading class discussions, you may also be responsible for grading papers, advising students, and meeting with other faculty members. Staying organized is key to being successful in this role.
5. Have passion: Perhaps most importantly, you need to have passion for both teaching and nursing if you want to be a successful nursing instructor. Your students will look up to you and rely on you for guidance; if you don’t believe in what you’re doing, they won’t either. So ask yourself if you’re truly passionate about helping others learn before taking on the role of nursing instructor.
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