What to Expect From an MSN in Nursing Education Program

Admittedly, choosing the right career path can become a daunting task. When it comes to nursing, though, this generally rewarding career and field of study yields various potential pathways, educational routes and means of advancement — such as the MSN in Nursing Education program.

Explore what to expect when pursuing an MSN in nursing education and why it might be the right pathway for you to achieve your goals.

What Is an MSN in Nursing Education?

The Master of Science in Nursing-Nursing Education is a specialized degree within the educational pathway of the master's degree program. It helps graduates prepare for career paths like becoming a nursing educator in numerous environments, including patient care settings, along with working within higher education as educators. Obtaining an MSN-Nursing Education allows registered nurses (RNs) to advance their careers by furthering their skills and knowledge. It may also serve as a prerequisite step toward obtaining a doctorate in nursing.

Core Curriculum in an MSN in Nursing Education Program

The core curriculum of an MSN-Nursing Education graduate school program is designed to prepare nurses for roles as educators and includes a specifically designed curriculum to guide students to that end. The following outlines key parts of a general curriculum within MSN nursing education programs, plus how each topic area benefits the students as they move through the courses.

Advanced Nursing Theory and Evidence-Based Practice

This nursing course aspect examines advanced nursing theories and explores evidence-based practices. It explores how to integrate and combine the best evidence within the field with the educator’s expertise to best meet the patient’s needs.

Teaching and Instructional Strategies for Nurse Educators

This is an important aspect of any graduate nursing program, especially with regard to nurse educators and enhancing pedagogy in the classroom. This can include clinical competence training for undergraduate nursing students. It is designed to cover the best practices for teaching other nurses how to become skilled caretakers and professionals.

Curriculum Development and Program Evaluation

Master of Science in Nursing Education programs include coursework in curriculum development, as well as how to assess and evaluate curricula to support continuous quality improvement. This means that no program is set in stone—instead, nursing curricula are continually refined to better support student outcomes and respond to the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.

Leadership and Mentorship in Nursing Education

Mentorship in nursing has been proven to make a great difference in a student’s outcome. In fact, engagement for both the mentee and the mentor is deemed an essential factor in optimizing future leadership experiences. This is a vital element in developing highly skilled nurse leaders and promoting a healthy and thriving nursing profession.

Research and Scholarly Writing for Nurse Educators

In addition to learning practical ways to treat patients and being on the cutting edge of nursing studies, research and scholarly writing is also a central part of obtaining an MSN with a nursing education focus. This includes engaging in work that helps students understand the value of properly-researched findings. In turn, they are well-equipped to leverage the best and most current approaches for patient care through research and continued education.

Clinical and Practical Training Components

The next aspect of obtaining an MSN-Nursing Education degree is through the clinical and practical components of the graduate program. The following are some of the ways and practices through which students are prepared to thrive as nursing educators:

Supervised Teaching Practicum or Internship

There are two primary varieties of supervised training within the nursing education realm: practicum and internship. Both practices are ideal ways to prepare students for real-world experiences in the world of nursing.

Supervised practicum allows students to apply the theoretical knowledge they have acquired in real-world situations under the guidance of a qualified professional. It is primarily designed to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and hands-on practice.

An internship is a lengthier experience often involving more independence for students. While they are still under the instruction of a skilled professional, it allows for more individual thinking and decision-making by the student or intern compared to practicum.

Integrating Simulation-Based Learning in Nursing Education

Another key aspect of obtaining an MSN-Nursing Education includes integrated simulation-based learning. Students are given the ability to practice their decision-making and clinical skills in a protected environment, enabling them to gain confidence and promote learning without risking real-life patients out in the field (which could cause students to lose confidence). It is a risk-free teaching method that helps students apply what they know in a high-reward simulation.

Applying Clinical Expertise to Nursing Education

Clinical nursing expertise has been proven central to quality patient care. This extends beyond merely considering a nurse’s years of experience or level of education to include contextual factors that contribute to a nurse’s expertise — in turn creating a hybrid of both practical and theoretical knowledge.

Certification and Career Readiness After Graduation

After earning their degrees, graduates are made ready for a variety of situations within the nursing education field. This includes the following aspects to ensure students are equipped to succeed and thrive in the nurse education realm:

Preparing for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) Exam

After graduating with an MSN-Nursing Education, students are qualified to take the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) examination by the National League for Nursing. This type of certification helps nurses establish themselves within the education arena. Part of a student’s education for their MSN includes preparing them to take and pass this certification exam, which is key to helping them find employment as a nursing educator.

Career Paths Available After Earning an MSN in Nursing Education

The career paths for an MSN-Nursing Education are abundant, making it a valuable degree that students can see a return on investment. MSNs may pursue careers in both clinical and nonclinical roles. Some career options include certified nurse midwifery and certified registered nurse anesthetists. Nonclinical roles can include careers within data analysis, research, executive management, teaching, administration and government to influence public policy.

After an education-focused MSN program, certified nurse educator would be the most obvious career path. This involves students using their nursing experience and education to teach the profession in a classroom setting either at a university or hospital. In other words, those with an MSN- Nursing Education will often not provide direct patient care but instead oversee students and educate others in the field.

Job Outlook and Salary Expectations for Nurse Educators

Nurse educators are in high demand with a positive job outlook. Salaries can be wide-ranging based on duties, the location of the employment opportunity and more.

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2023, average annual wages are around $86,900 for those working at professional schools, universities, or colleges. Salary expectations increase in medical and surgical hospitals or facilities to around $106,620. Overall, with the field expected to continue expanding, future nurse educators can feel confident in securing a solid salary alongside ample job opportunities.

How Long Does It Take to Get an MSN Degree?

So, what is an MSN’s timeline to completion? The timeframe for obtaining an MSN degree in nursing education depends on numerous factors, including the particular institution and program attended. Generally speaking, students who attend full time may expect to finish this degree in about two years. However, if they reduce credit hours and only attend part time, then this can extend to between three and four years. For instance, the MSN at Texas A&M is designed for working professionals who are continuing their education and is offered as both part time and full time options..

Online vs. On-Campus MSN Nursing Education Programs

These days, there exists a range of ways to obtain MSN-Nursing Education degrees for continuing education options that meet students where they are academically, professionally and personally. Take a deeper look at the attendance options:

Advantages of Online MSN in Nursing Education Programs

Attending MSN classes online offers flexibility that is especially helpful when students have other professional and personal commitments. They do not have to carve out time to regularly attend in-person classes; instead, they may complete coursework when they have time between living their lives or working within the nursing profession.

Benefits of Traditional On-Campus Programs

Of course, there are some notable benefits of traditional on-campus programs. These settings can help students build a sense of community and expand their professional network within the healthcare industry, all while receiving face-to-face instruction from highly skilled educators. Some students also prefer in-person learning, as it aligns more closely with their individual learning style and helps them get more out of the classroom experience.

Hybrid MSN Programs: The Best of Both Worlds

A hybrid MSN program allows a combination of these benefits. Select topics are covered online without requiring in-person attendance, while others may be in classroom or clinical settings with more in-depth instruction. This gives students a well-rounded education by offering them the best of both worlds, especially if they are trying to work while going through graduate school or have personal responsibilities.

Pursue an MSN in Nursing Education Program

At Texas A&M, we proudly offer an MSN-Nursing Education degree with a primarily online curriculum. This program prepares graduates to apply the principles of education in an educational role along with various patient care settings, readying them for employment within higher education settings and more. Interested in learning more about this valuable degree? Contact us to request information about Texas A&M’s’s Master of Science-Nursing Education program.

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