You have decided to enroll in a Registered Nurse (RN) to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, but which track will you choose? The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) College of Nursing and Health Innovation gives nurses the flexibility to choose between an educator or administrator path in its online RN to MSN program. If you are deciding on your healthcare career direction, here is more information to help guide you.
Who Is a Good Fit for the Nurse Educator Track?
Nurse educators are critical to preparing nursing professionals for the real world. They are employed by technical schools, community colleges and universities, hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare organizations. Depending on the work environment and specific role, nurse educators may be expected to:
- Develop curricula and coordinate continuing education programs
- Lead didactic and clinical courses
- Advise and evaluate students and nurses
- Conduct academic research
Nurses who pursue this track should have:
- Strong organizational and communication skills
- A natural curiosity and desire for continuous learning
- Patience and a willingness to teach others
- A people-oriented personality
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), demand for postsecondary educators, in general, is expected to grow faster than average at 8% through 2033.
Nurse educators are candidates for a variety of roles and job titles including:
- Clinical Nurse Educator
- Staff Development Officer
- Continuing Education Specialist
- Instructional Nurse Faculty
While specific data on the anticipated growth for nurse educators is sparse, demand could be even more significant given the extreme staffing shortages in nursing schools. More than 65,000 qualified nursing school applications in the U.S. were turned away in 2023, adding to the overall nursing shortage. The inability of nursing schools to handle the volume of qualified applicants was in large part due to nursing faculty shortages, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
Who Is a Good Fit for the Nurse Administrator Track?
Nurse administrators typically fulfill executive-level positions in hospitals, nursing homes and large physician practices. They should be prepared to:
- Recruit and hire nurses
- Conduct performance evaluations
- Create and update nursing policies and procedures
- Oversee departmental budgeting and reporting
Nurses who pursue this track must be able to:
- Work collaboratively
- Demonstrate problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Implement business principles, such as strategic planning and resource management
- Lead with integrity and confidence
Job growth for nurse administrators is promising and expected to be much faster than the average growth for all occupations. BLS projects that employment of medical and health services managers — including several nurse administration roles — will increase 29% through 2033.
Nurse administrators can occupy a variety of positions including:
- Charge Nurse
- Chief Nurse Executive
- Director of Nursing
- Director of Patient Services
- Nurse Manager
How Can You Prepare for Nurse Educator or Administrator Roles?
While you likely have a foundational understanding of these roles, there is much more you can do to secure a career as a nurse educator or nurse administrator, including:
Self-evaluation. Set aside time to evaluate your personality traits, ideal work-life balance and career goals. This helps you narrow your pathway choice while also preparing for the expectations of the job and illuminating areas requiring further development.
Job shadow. Learning the responsibilities of a role through job shadowing is a great way to gain firsthand experience. Your employer may have an internal program that assists with these requests, or you can speak with your manager or human resources director for further guidance. Opportunities may also be available through local universities and community colleges.
Continuing education. As the healthcare system has grown more complex, educators’ and administrators’ minimum education requirements have also shifted. While there remain some opportunities for nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, most employers now require an MSN degree, especially for college educator positions and executive-level leadership roles.
An RN to MSN program provides an edge in the job market by expanding your knowledge of key topics like evidence-based practice, nursing theory and informatics, in addition to courses dedicated to certain concentrations. Clinical practicums completed regionally provide opportunities to integrate learning into real-world scenarios and form professional connections.
Find Your True Path
If a career as a nurse educator or nurse administrator intrigues you, advancing your education is a solid investment. An RN to MSN program enhances existing expertise and offers coursework for your chosen specialization. Equipped with both a BSN and MSN, graduates are strong contenders in the job market and ready to pursue new career opportunities.
Learn more about UTA’s online RN to MSN program with Nurse Educator or Nurse Administrator tracks.
