Nursing

Director of Nursing Education Career Overview

Written by: University of Tulsa • Jul 30, 2024

A Director of Nursing Education Speaking in a Meeting.

Director of Nursing Education Career Overview

With the demand for medical services continuing to increase due to the aging population, the need for qualified nurses has never been greater. Unfortunately, the country is experiencing one of the most severe nursing shortages in its history. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) estimates there will be a shortage of approximately 78,160 full-time registered nurses (RNs) by 2025.

Although some of this shortage is attributed to nurses exiting the workforce to retire or change professions, the current state of nursing education is a bigger issue. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 65,766 qualified nursing school applicants were turned away for graduate and baccalaureate programs in 2023 due to insufficient educational resources. Most notably, faculty shortages, budget constraints, and lack of educational facilities are obstacles yet to be overcome.

Without a robust nursing education system to support the number of applicants, the disparity between the need for nurses and the nurse population will continue to grow. Considering the paradigm shift that’s required to create a sustainable health care system, legislators and leaders in the medical field are focusing their efforts on expanding nursing education and its resources.

Directors of nursing education can be key players in these efforts, as they oversee program development, faculty and resource management, student support, and much more. After exploring the director of nursing education role and what they do, we’ll examine their salary statistics, the job outlook, and the main steps to becoming one. Earning an advanced degree, such as a Registered Nurse (RN) to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree , is an essential step for nurses interested in leadership positions in academia.

Director of Nursing Education Role and Responsibilities

Directors of nursing education at colleges and universities play a crucial role in shaping the future of nursing by overseeing the development, implementation, and evaluation of nursing programs. They ensure that the curriculum meets the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) standards and that it prepares students to meet the health care industry’s rigorous demands.

According to Courtney Wayland, DNP, RN, CNE, and Director of the BSN program at The University of Tulsa, “the director of a nursing education program wears many hats, including serving as both a faculty mentor and evaluator, providing leadership and growth to the school of nursing, overseeing continuing accreditation efforts, and maintaining communication with community stakeholders.”

The role also includes designing course content, setting educational goals, managing faculty, overseeing the budget, and integrating the latest advancements in medical science and nursing practice into the curriculum. Some directors also teach students, according to Wayland, “which is appropriate because as a director of nursing education, students are truly at the center of all that we do.”

The key responsibilities of a director of nursing education include the following:

Program Development and Evaluation

Directors of nursing education develop and continuously assess their institution’s nursing curriculum to ensure it meets both educational standards and industry needs. This involves collaborating with faculty to incorporate evidence-based practices and emerging trends in nursing. Moreover, nursing programs must adequately prepare students to take the necessary exams to qualify for nursing licensure, such as the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Effective directors adapt their programs to the ever-evolving needs and requirements of their state, the health care industry, and nursing organizations and accrediting bodies that set educational standards. For example, when telehealth became more prevalent in the wake of the pandemic, many nursing schools incorporated a telehealth element into their programs to prepare their students to engage with patients virtually.

Faculty Management

Directors are responsible for recruiting, vetting, and training nurse educators, ensuring they are equipped with the latest knowledge and teaching methodologies. However, whereas some directors may be involved throughout every step of the process, other directors may delegate most of these responsibilities to a senior leadership team. Directors also conduct nurse educator and faculty performance evaluations and provide professional development opportunities for educators to help maintain high teaching standards.

Student Support and Advocacy

Although directors of nursing education aren’t typically involved in the day-to-day classroom instruction activities, they often serve as a powerful source of leadership, advocacy, and student support. Nurse educators and directors both play a role in the academic and professional growth of their students, but directors are unique in that they can do this at the macro level, such as by providing better equipment, expanded learning opportunities, and other initiatives that benefit the entire student body. Some directors who are more hands-on in their work provide personal mentorship or one-on-one academic counseling and professional guidance.

Accreditation and Compliance

Ensuring that the nursing program meets all accreditation requirements is a critical responsibility. Colleges and universities that are not accredited have no access to federal financial aid. More importantly, a nursing degree from a school that is not accredited isn’t recognized by health care employers, which means it essentially holds no value.

Directors of nursing education oversee a team of administrators who prepare all the necessary documentation and evidence to pass the accreditation review process. After earning accreditation, directors must ensure their institution maintains its educational standards and supporting records to successfully pass subsequent on-site accreditation reviews and state and federal compliance evaluations.

Collaboration and Partnerships

Directors of nursing education are the face of their program, so they must establish and maintain partnerships on their behalf with health care organizations, local legislators, and other local organizations. For example, a partnership with a local hospital can provide the university’s students with clinical placement opportunities that are essential for hands-on learning. These collaborations also help align the nursing program with the evolving needs of the health care industry.

Resource Management

Directors are responsible for the nursing education program’s budget and how it’s allocated. This includes budgeting for staff and faculty salaries, medical equipment and resources, and textbooks. Unfortunately, budgetary shortages are a common problem in education, which is why directors often must secure funding through grants, donations, and other sources. Well-funded nursing schools can afford to hire top nurse educators and provide exceptional learning facilities and resources, which ultimately creates the type of environment where students can thrive.

Director of Nursing Education Essential Skills and Key Qualities

Considering the variety of high-level responsibilities that are within a director’s purview, they must possess a versatile set of leadership qualities, educational expertise, communication skills, in-depth regulatory and compliance knowledge, and administrative experience.

Successful directors of nursing education have the following qualities:

Excellent decision-makers and problem-solvers
Capable of managing multiple tasks while remaining organized
Effective planners who can develop and implement long-term goals and strategies
Academic experts who can design nursing curricula to meet accreditation standards and industry needs
Nurse leaders capable of evaluating and coaching educators
Proficient in interpersonal communication that clearly conveys their ideas to students, faculty, and stakeholders
Culturally competent and able to address the needs of a diverse student body
Knowledgeable in accreditation processes, requirements, and relevant laws and regulations governing nursing education and practice
Effective administrators who can manage a budget, allocate resources, and secure grants and funding
Continuous learners who remain up to date on advancements in nursing education and practice
Professional networkers who can establish and maintain meaningful relationships with health care organizations, legislators, and the academic community

How to Become a Director of Nursing Education

According to Wayland, those looking to become directors of nursing education should “have a strong clinical background in nursing, to pursue advanced graduate level education in nursing education and/or leadership, and to have a firm foundation in scholarship, teaching, and service.” Although eligibility requirements vary by institution, aspiring directors must meet certain benchmarks to achieve this leadership position. The following steps can guide the career path of an aspiring director of nursing education.

Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing

All nurse educators start their careers as nurses, including those at the director level. Candidates should begin their journey by earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing program. This provides the foundational knowledge and skills required for a career in nursing.

Pass the NCLEX-RN and Obtain State Licensure

After completing the BSN program, graduates must sit for the NCLEX-RN. It is the standardized test nursing candidates must pass to ensure they possess the necessary skills and competencies to practice as a nurse in a health care environment. Upon passing the exam, candidates are cleared to apply for nursing licensure with their state’s nursing board.

Wayland notes that nurse leadership experience can also be highly beneficial to becoming a director of nursing education, “whether that is a charge nurse or a clinical or course coordinator.”

Gain Nursing Experience

After obtaining licensure, registered nurses need to gain practical, hands-on experience in various clinical settings. This experience helps nurses learn about the realities of patient care and how health care operations function. Moreover, it provides nurses with the opportunity to build upon the foundational knowledge they acquired through their BSN program, learn about other areas of health care, and further their clinical skills by working with different physicians and nurse leaders.

Earn a Master of Science in Nursing

A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree satisfies the educational requirements to become a nurse educator. Candidates who are committed to achieving a director-level role in academia should choose an MSN program with a focus on nursing education or administration. MSN degree programs help nurses develop the skills needed to teach and manage a nursing program, covering curriculum development best practices, assessment and evaluation tools, and pedagogical theories and strategies.

Gain Experience in Nursing Education

After earning an MSN degree, graduates should secure employment in a nursing program at an academic institution. Candidates may need to start at an entry-level position or as an assistant educator before working their way up the academic hierarchy. Teaching experience helps aspiring directors learn about the educational needs of nursing students and the academic environment. Ideally, candidates should accumulate several years of teaching experience to build a strong foundation in nursing education.

Wayland notes that nurse leadership experience can also be highly beneficial to becoming a director of nursing education, “whether that is a charge nurse or a clinical or course coordinator.”

Earn a Relevant Nurse Educator Credential

Professional credentials establish that an individual possesses a certain level of skill and knowledge and that those competencies have been verified by a third-party accrediting body. After two years of working in nursing education, candidates can earn the certified nurse educator (CNE) credential through the National League for Nursing. By earning this credential, candidates will have an industry-recognized designation that can elevate their marketability in nursing education.

Earn a Doctoral Degree

A master’s degree combined with sufficient teaching and administrative experience can qualify a candidate for some director-level roles in colleges. However, prospective directors of nursing education may want to consider earning a doctoral degree to better prepare them for leadership roles.

Candidates can pursue a doctoral degree in nursing, such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a focus on educational leadership or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing Education. Opting not to do so may limit the candidate’s future job prospects, especially for high-profile leadership roles.

Gain Administrative Experience

Advancing from a nurse educator to a director of nursing education requires gaining administrative experience. Candidates should consider administrative roles within nursing programs or health care organizations to develop leadership and management skills. Positions such as program coordinator, department chair, or assistant director can establish the administrative foundation necessary to qualify for director roles.

Apply for Director of Nursing Education Positions

With the proper qualifications, candidates can begin searching for open director of nursing education positions at colleges or universities. Resumes and cover letters for these roles should highlight the candidate’s education, experience, certifications, and achievements in nursing education and administration.

Once they secure a position, directors need to engage in continuous learning, personal development, and professional networking, including by doing the following:

Utilize professional networks
Attend academic conferences and workshops
Join nursing education organizations
Remain current with advancements in nursing education
Engage in nursing research and publish articles
Present at conferences to contribute to the field of nursing education

Director of Nursing Education Salary and Career Outlook

Salary data for related jobs can provide helpful guidance for aspiring directors of nursing education. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that postsecondary education administrators had a median annual salary of $102,610 in May 2023, with the top 10% of earners making more than $209,870 per year.

For additional context, Payscale reports that nurse educators had a median annual salary of around $84,300 in May 2024, with upper-tier earners having a median salary of around $114,000 per year.

Many factors influence an individual’s specific salary, including their education, experience, region, and the size of the nursing school’s budget.

The BLS projects that employment of postsecondary education administrators will grow by 4% between 2022 and 2032, which is about as fast as the average growth projected for all occupations in the U.S.

What should help candidates feel confident about the availability of nurse faculty roles in the future is the government funding nurse education is receiving. In August 2023, the Biden-Harris administration announced it was awarding $100 million to grow the nursing workforce in the U.S., with $26.5 million of those funds specifically allocated to address the bottlenecks in nurse training by expanding nursing school faculty.

Moreover, the expansion of nursing education is an effort that health care organizations and legislators agree is essential to the stability of the nation’s health care system. Health care is also one of the few industries synonymous with continuous growth, regardless of economic conditions. Candidates who have reservations about the level of commitment required to become a director can feel secure about the long-term demand for nursing education professionals.

Become a Leader In Nursing Education

Pursuing a career as a director of nursing education is a rewarding endeavor that offers the opportunity to make a significant and lasting impact on the future of health care. By leading nursing programs, shaping curricula, and overseeing the development of the next generation of nurses, directors play a crucial role in ensuring that graduates are prepared to meet the evolving demands of the health care industry.

This position requires the integration of clinical expertise, an innovative mindset, and leadership skills to create a nurturing and effective learning environment. Additionally, directors of nursing education have the satisfaction of being able to contribute to the advancement of nursing education and practice, ultimately helping to improve patient care while providing a solution to the national nursing shortage.

For those passionate about education, leadership, and nursing, becoming a director of nursing education can be a fulfilling career choice that offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in both the academic and health care landscapes. Aspiring directors can begin their journey by finding a program that will develop their nursing skills and clinical competencies, such as The University of Tulsa’s online RN to MSN Pathway program.

Designed for career-oriented health care professionals who wish to become leaders in their respective fields, the program has three specialty tracks:

Leadership and Innovation
Education and Elevation
Public Health Global Vision

Graduates of the program can pursue any of numerous high-profile clinical or administrative health care careers. Learn more about the RN to MSN program to see how it can support your long-term professional goal of becoming a director of nursing education.

Recommended Readings

Becoming a Nurse Executive

Nurse Leader vs. Nurse Manager: Differences and How to Advance

Nurse Advancement Opportunities for RNs

Sources:

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, The Impact of Education on Nursing Practice

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Nursing Faculty Shortage Fact Sheet

American Association of Colleges of Nursing, Nursing Shortage Fact Sheet

American Nurses Association, “Shaping Future Healthcare: The Path to Becoming a Nurse Educator”

Betterteam, Education Director Job Description

Chron, “Responsibilities for a Nursing Program Director”

Diversity Nursing, “The Role of Nurse Educators: Shaping the Future of Nursing”