Nursing Educator as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

Nursing Educator as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse NUR 513 Nursing Educator as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse My goal after I obtain my Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) degree is to be an educator of students of nursing. I want to afford the students the opportunities and experiences that I have experienced over my thirty-three years as a practicing Registered Nurse (RN). I feel I can make a positive impact on their nursing school experience. Scope of Nursing Educators. Nursing educators are much needed today. Finding experienced nurses who are now willing to educate our up and coming nurses is a true asset. “This country has a growing need for academic nurse educators—nurses who teach students enrolled in formal academic nursing courses. It can be highly rewarding to educate the next generation of nurses” (Lindell, Hagler, & Poindexter, 2015, p.40). The gratification I would get knowing that I have a positive influence on young nurses would be immense. “It’s exciting to see the nurses you’ve taught help to improve patient care and lead the profession” (Lindell et al., 2015, p.40). As I have researched teaching in nursing programs, it seems that master’s educated nurses are mainly teaching in associate degree programs. “Generally, nurse educators must have at least a master’s degree; doctoral preparation is preferred. Although most employers require a graduate degree in nursing, some schools accept a non-nursing graduate degree or major if nursing is the applicant’s first degree” (Lindell et al., 2015 p.40). This is a bit disheartening to me because I feel that associate degree nursing programs are going to be extinct in the future because of the push for nurses to all have at least a bachelor’s degree. “Nurse educators must hold a current, active nursing license and, depending on the position, may need other state credentials for advanced practice. (Lindell et al., p. 40). Educational programs look for faculty with expertise in a clinical specialty or content area, such as evidence-based practice, management, nursing education, health policy, ethics, pharmacology, or pathophysiology. Several years of registered nurse (RN) experience as well as specialty certification may be required” (Lindell et al., p. 41). Hopefully, my thirty-three years of experience will be beneficial to me when I finish my APRN studies. Professional Nursing Organizations. There are multiple professional organizations geared towards educators. The organizations that I think are most influential for my goal as an educator and for all APRN’s are the National League for Nursing (NLN), the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the Journal of Nursing Education (JNE), and the Journal of Nurse Education and Practice (JNEP). The NLN refers to themselves as the voice of nursing education. “Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. The NLN offers professional development, networking opportunities, testing services, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives” (National League for Nursing, 2019). This organization is a good resource and offers a lot of teaching opportunities for nurse educators. According to the AACN, they are “the national voice for academic nursing. AACN works to establish quality standards for nursing education; assists schools in implementing those standards; influences the nursing profession to improve health care; and promotes public support for professional nursing education, research, and practice” (2109). Their focus is on the nurse educators maintaining the standards that are put forth and promoting nursing education. As stated by the JNE, they are “a monthly, peer-reviewed journal publishing original articles and new ideas for nurse educators in various types and levels of nursing programs for over 50 years. The Journal enhances the teaching-learning process,