What do nurse educators do?
Nurse educators develop ways of ensuring that an organisation includes staff education and professional development into its business planning processes. They work with the organisational leadership in determining the strategic direction for nursing practice. They also develop educational initiatives to maximise the staffs potential to achieve desired levels and range of knowledge and skills. Nurse educators also manage the provision of effective educational services.

How do I become a nurse educator?
You need a keen interest in teaching and learning, as well as a desire to extend this interest into a formal role. The opportunity to become a nurse educator may arise by being given the option to act in nurse educator position or through contributing to in service programs at departmental level, being involved in preceptorship programs or clinical facilitation. There are no mandatory qualifications required to become a nurse educator apart from registration as a nurse with the Queensland Nursing Council, however tertiary qualifications, especially in education, would be beneficial. For more information on postgraduate course availability in this area, click here to go to the further education section.

What career opportunities exist for nurse educators?
Nurse educators could proceed to positions such as a nursing director in education. You could also obtain a position in administration managing staff development or corporate development. Lecturing at university is another possibility if you have a minimum tertiary qualification of masters.

Where do I get more information on becoming a nurse educator?
For more information on becoming a nurse educator, you could contact a level four nurse in a large tertiary hospital.