If you have given consideration to the pursuit of a graduate level education designed to facilitate a career in nursing, you may at some point have asked yourself “What is a Master’s in Nursing Education?” By reading the information found below, you can obtain an answer to this question and several others that pertain to the field of nursing education.
A Master’s in Nursing Education – The Basics
A Master’s in Nursing Education is a degree program that prepares students to teach nurses. The coursework involved in this type of degree program will typically prepare the nurse educator to teach diverse populations. In order to apply for a Master’s in Nursing Education program, the student will almost always need to be a Registered Nurse who holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Graduates of the program will be proficient in designing, implementing, and managing nursing programs. Additionally, they will be effective in teaching nursing courses.
Areas of Study
To ensure that nursing students gain proficiency in their ability to teach nursing concepts to other students, the Master’s in Nursing Education will emphasize many different subjects. Some of them include:
- Organizational Leadership and Interprofessional Team Development
- Professional Presence and Influence
- Pathopharmacological Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice
- Comprehensive Health Assessment for Patients and Populations
- Advanced Nursing Practice and Field Experience
- Advanced Information Management and the Application of Technology
- Policy, Politics, and Global Health Trends
- Translational Research for Practice and Populations
- Foundations of Nursing Education
- Facilitating Learning in the 21st Century
- Future Directions in Contemporary Learning and Education
- Nursing Education Field Experience
Coursework
The type of courses that a student will be required to complete while earning a Master’s in Nursing Education will differ based on the learning institution. However, some of the courses that one will likely see include:
- Theories of Teaching and Instruction
- Leadership and Role Development in Nursing Education
- Assessment, Curriculum, Development, and Outcomes
- Evidence Based Communication
- Biostatics and Epidemiology
- Ethics and Health Policy
- Advanced Pathophysiology
Careers
Individuals who opt to attain a Master’s in Nursing Education will have a plethora of career choices within the educational sector. However, it is also important to point out that attaining this graduate level degree will provide the student with several other job options, two of which include:
1. Nurse Practitioner
Nurse practitioners are individuals who coordinate and/or provide patient care. They can offer either primary or specialty health care, and some nurse practitioners can provide both services. The scope of practice of a nurse practitioner will vary from state to state. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that a nurse practitioner can expect to earn about $96,460 annually.
2. Health Educator/Community Health Worker
Health educators are individuals who teach others about various behaviors they can take part in to promote wellness. To accomplish this objective, health educators will develop and subsequently implement a variety of strategies designed to improve the health at both the individual and community level. Community health workers are individuals who collect relevant data and discuss various health concerns with members of specific communities and populations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that individuals who hold either of these positions can expect to earn about $41,830 annually.
Related Resource: Certified Nurse Midwife
Conclusion
If you have given any consideration to attaining a degree in the field of nursing, you should know that obtaining a Master’s in Nursing Education can provide you with a plethora of personal and professional benefits. Now that you have a basic answer to the question “What is a Master’s in Nursing Education?,” you can make an informed decision regarding whether pursuing this educational path would be appropriate and advantageous for you.