How to Become a Nursing Instructor
Nursing instructors guide future nurses by presenting theory in the classroom and guiding students through clinical settings. The steps to becoming a nursing instructor include education, testing, and licensing, after which nursing instructors can pursue employment. Below, we’ll detail the steps to follow, how long it takes to become a nursing instructor, and where to start.
Become a Nursing Instructor in 7 Steps
Depending on the nursing program, nurses can become instructors with as little as an RN license and some years of experience or as much as a doctoral degree. Most teaching programs require nursing instructors to have active RN licenses to work as instructors.
3
Acquire a State License
Each state has different license application requirements, and candidates applying for a registered nursing license can find their state’s application process at the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
4
Gain Experience
Once a new RN has a valid license, they may apply for nursing jobs in the state of their licensure, and many employers are happy to hire new graduates. RNs may find they can achieve experience relevant to their nursing instructor goals in any medical setting.
5
Apply for Nursing Instructor Jobs
After some bedside experience, RNs may apply for nursing instructor jobs in the state of their licensure. If a nursing instructor wishes to work in a new state, they must apply for a license in that state. However, some states have a “compact” agreement in which one state’s license may be used in other states.
6
Earn Nursing Instructor Specialty Certification
Once a nursing instructor has gained some experience in this field, they may apply for further certification beyond their degree and license. Specialty certifications for nursing instructors can be earned by passing an exam, and offer employers assurance of a high level of expertise.
Schooling Requirements for Nursing Instructors
Nursing instructors can practice with a few different levels of education, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and an Associate Degree in Nursing. However, general healthcare hiring trends favor nurses with a bachelor’s degree.
A survey by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing found that over 70% of healthcare employers want new nursing hires to hold a BSN. The National Academy of Medicine announced a goal in 2010 for 80% of RNs to hold a BSN degree by the year 2020. By 2020, at least 65% of nurses held BSN degrees, but in 2023, the 2022 National Nursing Workforce Survey reported that number rose above 70%.
Nursing instructors who wish to become full professors can achieve this by earning a higher degree, like an MSN or a DNP.
Associate Degree in Nursing
An Associate Degree in Nursing, or ADN, is the quickest option to become a nurse with no previous university education. ADN degrees can take 18 months to two years to complete and may require some prerequisites before an application can be accepted.
Time to Complete
18 months to 2 years
Clinical Hours
190 to 900*
Pros
- Earn a nursing degree in less than two years
- Less competitive than a BSN
- Lower cost than a BSN
Cons
- May limit job opportunities compared to a BSN
- Must obtain a BSN before pursuing an advanced practice nursing degree
*Varies depending on institution
Sources: Central New Mexico Community College, Teaching and Learning in Nursing,
Nursing instructors with an ADN may receive lower pay and may not have their first choice of positions compared to nursing instructors with a BSN.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing gives future nurses a more well-rounded education experience than an ADN. Typically done over four years, the BSN curriculum covers the basics of nursing care and how the body works, but also teaches more specialized critical thinking skills.
Clinical Hours
160 to 750*
Pros
- More likely to pass NCLEX on the first attempt (82.32% with a BSN vs. 77.91% with an ADN)
- Easier to find work in highly specialized environments like gerontology or neonatology
- Higher salary than an ADN
Cons
- Takes longer to complete than an ADN
- More competitive than an ADN
- More expensive than an ADN
*Varies depending on institution
Sources: Forbes Advisor, Teaching and Learning in Nursing, National Council of State Boards of Nursing
A BSN prepares future nursing instructors to not only handle a high level of care but also teach it. Where an ADN focuses on quickly preparing future nurses for clinical situations, a BSN adds higher-level concepts like evidence-based practice, community health nursing, statistics used in research, nursing management and leadership, health informatics and analysis, healthcare ethics, and nutrition.
Master of Science in Nursing
A Master of Science in Nursing, or MSN, can be earned in two years, but many students continue to work throughout the program, which increases time to completion.
Doctor of Nursing Practice
A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is the highest level of education a nurse can achieve. This program takes longer than an MSN but may offer higher salaries and more opportunities.
Nursing Instructor Licensing
Once a new nursing graduate has earned their degree, they must apply for licensure. Aspiring nursing instructors must have a registered nurse license to teach. To become a licensed and practicing nurse in any state, all nursing graduates must pass the state licensing exam (the NCLEX-RN) and apply for a state license.
NCLEX-RN
The National Council Licensure Examination–RN (NCLEX-RN) is a computer-based exam with 85 to 150 questions. The exam takes anywhere from one hour to a maximum of five hours. Questions fall into four basic categories:
1. Safe and Effective Care Environment
2. Health Promotion and Maintenance
3. Psychosocial Integrity
4. Physiological Integrity
Once completed, the state board of nursing sends test results within six weeks, usually by email. In the time leading up to the NCLEX-RN, it’s important for graduates to study practice questions to ensure a passing grade and many students take NCLEX prep courses to increase their likelihood of success.
Registered Nurse State License Application and Renewal
Each state in the U.S. has a unique registered nurse licensing application process. The state board of nursing will want to see proof of an NCLEX passing result and a diploma from an accredited nursing program. Most states require criminal background checks and fingerprinting, and some may want to see university transcripts.
In most states, RNs must renew their license every two years after initial licensure. Each state has varying requirements for continuing education and other documentation needed for renewal. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing offers a wealth of information on registered nurse licensing requirements by state.
Specialty Certification
Nursing instructors can earn specialty designation in this specialty after completing one to three years of bedside experience. The National League for Nursing (NLN) offers these certifications:
The American Nurses Credentialing Center also offers a Nursing Professional Development Certification (NPD-BC). These certifications announce nursing education experience to potential employers and often garner higher compensation.
Where Nursing Instructors Work
Nursing instructors typically work in educational institutions or medical facilities. Some continue to work part-time as practicing nurses and teach or lead student clinicals a few days a week. A nursing instructor’s workplace can change day-to-day as they grade student work, lead clinicals in a medical setting, and attend meetings or hold office hours.
FAQs: How to Become a Nursing Instructor
1. What education is needed to become a nursing instructor?
Nursing instructors must graduate with a nursing degree from an accredited college or university. They can pursue a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). After some bedside experience, they may pursue advanced degrees like a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), but these are not required by all employers to practice as a nursing instructor.
2. How many years does it take to become a nursing instructor?
The time it takes to become a nursing instructor depends on which degree one pursues, but may take anywhere from two to four years for an undergraduate degree. Then, an additional two to three years of bedside experience may be required.
3. What are the steps to become a nursing instructor?
To become a nursing instructor, aspiring nurses must apply to and graduate from an accredited nursing school, pass the NCLEX-RN, and apply for and receive a nursing license in their state. After these steps, they may apply for nursing instructor positions after they gain experience in the field. Then they may pursue specialty certification and higher education.
4. How much do nursing instructors make an hour?
Nursing instructors earn a similar wage to any other registered nurse. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), they earn an average of $41.60 per hour, which equals about $86,530 annually. Nurses with an advanced degree will be able to earn more.
