The nursing profession in the United States faces a two-pronged crisis: a shortage of qualified nurses and a shortage of nursing faculty to train future nurses. This troubling dynamic is projected to have a significant impact on the healthcare system, with ripple effects felt across patient care, hospital staffing and overall public health.
Addressing this issue requires focusing on not only replenishing the nursing workforce but also increasing the number of nurse educators. Programs like the online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – Nursing Education program at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) are essential in closing this gap by preparing working nurses to become educators. In fact, graduates of the program are prepared for National League of Nursing (NLN) exams, including the Certified Nurse Educator Exam (CNE) and the Certified Nurse Clinical Educator Exam (CNEcl).
What Is the State of the Nursing Shortage?
According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the U.S. is approaching a critical nursing shortage. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) projects that by 2036, the country will experience a shortfall of nearly 337,970 full-time equivalent registered nurses (RNs). The growing demand for healthcare services, driven by factors such as an aging population and increasing chronic diseases, has intensified the need for more nurses.
Contributing to this shortage is the inability of nursing schools to expand their capacity to educate new nurses. AACN reports that in 2023 alone, over 65,000 qualified applicants were turned away from nursing programs, a situation exacerbated by the persistent shortage of nurse educators. Without sufficient faculty to teach nursing students, the pipeline of new nurses cannot grow to meet demand, worsening the talent gap in the workforce.
How Does the Nursing Educator Shortage Impact the Talent Gap in Working Nurses?
The shortage of nurse educators is a key factor in limiting the number of practicing nurses. The AACN also reveals that nearly 2,000 full-time faculty vacancies were recorded in a survey of 922 nursing schools in 2023. With fewer nurse educators available, nursing programs are unable to admit the number of students they need to meet the demand for RNs. This creates a bottleneck in the education-to-employment pathway, further limiting the pool of trained nurses.
In addition to turning away thousands of undergraduate applicants, nearly 10,000 qualified candidates were denied entry into graduate nursing programs in 2023. This is particularly concerning because graduate-level education is essential for preparing the next generation of nurse educators. Without an adequate supply of MSN-prepared nurse educators, the nursing shortage will continue to grow, affecting healthcare quality and patient outcomes.
Elevate the Nursing Workforce With a Nurse Educator Degree
The good news is that nursing professionals can play a vital role in addressing these shortages by becoming nurse educators. By enrolling in an online MSN – Nursing Education program, working nurses can elevate their careers while contributing to the growth of the nursing workforce. Nurse educators are not only responsible for teaching future nurses but also for shaping the curriculum and fostering the skills necessary for students to succeed in healthcare environments.
UMHB’s MSN – Nursing Education online program provides a flexible and accessible path for nurses who wish to transition into educational roles. The program’s online format is designed to accommodate working nurses, allowing them to balance their professional responsibilities with their studies. This structure ensures that students can continue their practice while gaining the expertise needed to educate and mentor the next generation of nurses.
Career Opportunities for Nurse Educators
Graduates of the UMHB MSN – Nursing Education program are prepared to take on a range of professional roles in education and training, including the following:
- Academic nurse educator: Instructs nursing students in classroom settings, developing future RNs and nurse leaders
- Clinical nurse educator: Focuses on training nurses in clinical settings, bridging the gap between theory and practice
- Nursing program coordinator: Manages nursing education programs and ensures that they meet accreditation and curriculum standards
- Staff development educator: Works within healthcare organizations to provide ongoing education and training for current nursing staff, ensuring they stay up to date with the latest practices and technologies
Shaping the Future of Healthcare
The nursing shortage is a pressing issue, but it is intrinsically linked to the shortage of nurse educators. Addressing this problem requires a concerted effort to fill the educator gap so more nursing students can enter the field. Programs like UMHB’s MSN – Nursing Education play a crucial role in developing nurse educators who can help shape the future of nursing.
By choosing to pursue an MSN with a focus on education, working nurses can elevate both their own careers and the nursing profession as a whole. Becoming a nurse educator is not just a career advancement — it is an opportunity to impact healthcare by ensuring that future nurses receive the training they need to provide high-quality care.
Learn more about UMHB’s MSN – Nursing Education online program.