Nurse Educator

MSN Nurse Educator program

The MSN with a nurse educator specialization at Orvis expands on foundational skills, integrating advanced concepts to prepare nurse educators for leadership in both academic and clinical settings. This program is ideal for nurses ready to deepen their educational expertise and impact.

Program highlights

• Specialized curriculum. Courses build upon core knowledge and focus on developing advanced teaching and clinical skills, including online and simulation-based education, health policy, and population health.
• Practical experience. Students benefit from supervised practicum experiences, applying their knowledge in real-world teaching and clinical settings.

Program requirements

The nurse educator MSN program requires a minimum of 35 units, including 540 practicum hours, and includes options for thesis or evidence-based project work.

Career pathways

Graduates are prepared for roles as faculty members, clinical educators, and leaders in healthcare education, impacting nurse preparation and patient outcomes across healthcare systems.

DNP Nurse Educator program

The DNP in Clinical Education Leadership represents the highest level of nursing education for those aspiring to lead in the development and management of nursing education programs at healthcare systems or academic institutions. This program is a culmination of nursing education that prepares graduates for executive roles, where they influence nursing education policies, shape curricula, and ensure the quality of clinical education programs.

Program highlights

• Comprehensive and rigorous curriculum. The DNP curriculum includes advanced courses in healthcare leadership, policy, outcomes management, and healthcare informatics, designed to build competencies for high-level educational leadership.
• Extensive clinical experience. Students complete a series of residencies and a culminating DNP project, translating research into practice to address real-world challenges in nursing education and patient care.

Program options

Available in both full-time and part-time formats, the DNP allows flexibility for working professionals. Coursework includes 1,000 clinical hours (for those without prior post-master’s clinical hours).

Career pathways

Graduates of the DNP program are prepared for roles as nurse education directors, executive nurse leaders, and academic deans, shaping the future of nursing education and patient care.

Advanced Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education

Designed for MSN-prepared nurses who seek foundational skills in nursing education, the Advanced Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education equips graduates to serve as effective educators in diverse settings. Through specialized coursework and hands-on practice, students learn to develop, implement, and evaluate nursing curricula using current best practices in education.

Program highlights

• 100% online and nationwide access. This program is fully online, accessible to nursing professionals across the United States.
• Curriculum focus. The curriculum integrates scientific findings, nursing and learning theories, informatics, and technology to foster a holistic approach to nursing education.

Program requirements

Students complete 17 units of coursework, including planning for specialized populations, clinical nursing education, didactic teaching methods, online education, and simulation in nursing.

Career outcomes

Graduates are prepared for roles as nurse educators, providing ethical, evidence-based education across a variety of settings, including academic institutions, hospitals, and community health organizations.