Plenty of reasons exist to become a nurse educator, whether in an academic or in clinical setting. Nurse educators often have several years of practice before they become teachers. They leverage this practical experience because they want to pass on their knowledge to the next generation of nurses. One of the most important answers to the question of why become a nurse educator is the growing demand for skilled nurses, a demand that’s expected to grow over the next 10 years.

Nurse Shortage

Some 600,000 RNs are expected to retire by 2030, according to the report The Future of Nursing 2020-2030: Charting a Path to Achieve Health Equity. This retirement wave, coupled with the increase in the number of nurses leaving the profession as a result of stress and burnout, means a need for more nurses to fill the gap. Thirty-four percent of nurses said they would leave their jobs by the end of 2022, according to a survey by staffing agency Incredible Health.

Nurse Faculty Shortage

Compounding the issue is a shortage of nurse faculty. Nursing schools turned away more than 80,400 qualified students in 2019 due to a lack of faculty, according to data from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). Causes include the following:

• As with their clinical counterparts, nurse faculty members have entered retirement age.
• Salary for nurse faculty is less than for clinical and private sector employment.
• Master’s and doctoral degree programs. As with associate and bachelor’s degree programs, graduate degree nursing programs have had to turn away applicants, squeezing the pipeline at both ends.

Nurse Educator Skills

Nurse educators have numerous skills that make this career the natural choice. These competencies include the following:

• Excellent communication. Nurse educators have the ability to teach theory, science, and practical skills. They can communicate with students and fellow nurses.
• Relationship building. Nurse educators in hospitals are often the bridge between clinical staff and hospital administration.
• Analytical and research skills. Nurse faculty must conduct research into new techniques and nursing best practices and pass along this training to students and staff. They have to be able to develop curricula, continuing education plans, and lesson plans.
• Teaching and mentoring. Nurse educators aren’t just teachers. They’re mentors, coaches, and guides. These skills are critical in nursing education, which requires both hands-on practical instruction and emotional and professional support.