Master of Science—Nurse Educator

The nurse educator master’s program option is designed to prepare nurses with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively educate the population with whom they work (e.g. students, patients, healthcare professionals). Graduates are prepared to work in either the academic setting educating nursing students or in the clinical setting providing professional development for staff. The program of study has a clinical focus on management and coordination of care in chronic illness across the lifespan. 

The innovative nurse educator curriculum focuses on curriculum design, program evaluation, teaching methods and learner-centered education in the classroom, laboratory/simulation and clinical settings. Additionally, advanced nursing content and integrative health concepts are emphasized with opportunities for theory integration and role development in three practicums (Chronic Illness Care Management, Nursing Education in the Clinical Setting, and Nursing Education in the Non-Clinical Setting). The practicum courses are completed in the last three semesters of the program, for a total of 400 clinical hours.

The nurse educator master’s program option incorporates professional standards and guidelines from the Essentials of Master’s Education for Advanced Practice Nursing (AACN, 2011), the Core Competencies of Nurse Educators (NLN, 2005), and the Standards of Nursing Professional Development (ANA, 2010), in preparation of the curriculum and evaluation of outcomes.

Students develop, implement and evaluate a learning module to address an academic program or staff development need. The module is a learner-centered, evidence-based instructional unit designed for use in didactic, laboratory or clinical settings. The project plan and results with recommendations are disseminated to stakeholders in writing and other professional audiences through various venues such as papers, presentations and manuscripts.

Nurse Educator Goals and Program Outcomes

The goals and outcomes of the nurse educator master’s program option reflect the mission of the School of Nursing with the focus on preparing nurse educators who will transform nursing education through application of learning theories, advanced nursing knowledge for delivery of quality evidence based care, incorporation of technology for learning and care delivery, and evaluation of learning outcomes. The goals, competencies, and outcomes are in alignment with professional nursing standards and guidelines.

The goals and outcomes of the nurse educator master’s program are to graduate nurse educators who:

1. Assume the role of nurse educator in academic or healthcare settings;
2. Develop and evaluate curricula based on healthcare trends and professional standards; 
3. Develop a professional reflective practice to maintain competency and advance knowledge and skill as an educator;
4. Provide a learning environment to facilitate learning and professional socialization;
5. Apply current evidence, and teaching and learning theories to facilitate student learning.

Nurse Educator Admission Requirements

1. Bachelor of science in nursing degree from a school of nursing accredited by an appropriate national nursing accrediting body.
2. Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
3. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) verbal score of 150 or above (500 or above if exam was completed prior to August 1, 2011) and an analytical writing score of 3.5 or above; or a score of 50 or above on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). Applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above are not required to submit GRE or MAT scores. 
4. TOEFL iBT score of 100 or an IELTS score of 7.5, if native language is not English.
5. Current unencumbered R.N. license to practice nursing in state of residence (U.S.A).  R.N. licensure in Oregon is encouraged. Additional costs may be incurred for clinical placements outside of Oregon.
6. A written statement of personal nursing philosophy including a philosophy of nursing education and how the nurse educator program helps to achieve personal and professional goals. 
7. Two recommendations from persons able to evaluate current competency and potential as a nursing educator.  One from a nursing professor if applicant graduated within five years and one from a practice setting (employer, supervisor); if graduated over five years ago, choose one from the current practice setting (employer, supervisor) who can speak to potential for success in the program.  
8. Graduate-level statistics course with a B or better in the last five years. 

9. Current résumé.

10. An admission interview upon request of the School of Nursing.

Nurse Educator Curriculum

NRS 500	Methods of Inquiry	3
NRS 501	Theoretical and Ethical Foundations for Advanced Roles in Nursing	2
NRS 503	Scholarly Writing	1
NRS 532	The Nurse Educator Role	2
NRS 539	Chronic Illness Care Management and Coordination Practicum	3
NRS 540	Learner-Centered Teaching and Learner Assessment	3
NRS 541	Nursing Education in the Clinical Setting Practicum	2
NRS 542	Curriculum Design and Program Evaluation	3
NRS 544	Nursing Education in the Non-Clinical Setting Practicum	3
NRS 566	Resources Management in the Micro Environment	3
NRS 567	Communication and Relationships	3
NRS 568	Information Knowledge Systems	2
NRS 569	Human Population Ecology	3
NRS 570	Advanced Clinical Foundations	4
NRS 585	Foundations of Integrative Health	1
NRS 587	Evidence for Integrative Health	Variable
NRS 589	Methods for Improving Practice	Variable

Total credits: 42.  Total credit hours include 350 clinical hours.

The following Nurse Educator courses include the following clinical/lab hours: NRS 570 – 45 lab hours, NRS 539 – 100 clinical hours, NRS 541 – 100 clinical hours and NRS 544 – 150 clinical hours.