Education & Childcare career

Nursing Instructor

Also called: Nursing Professor · Nurse Educator · Clinical Nursing Instructor · Nursing Faculty

What nursing instructors do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a nursing instructor do?

Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary, teach nursing courses and supervise nursing students in clinical settings. The median pay is $80,250 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 6–8 years, and employment is projected to grow +17.1% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $80,250
    Annual salary · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +17.1%
    2025–35, much faster than average
  • Openings per year
    8,500
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Doctoral or professional degree
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    6–8 years
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    96,100
    Employment, 2025

What nursing instructors do

Nursing instructors prepare new nurses. They teach courses in fundamentals, pharmacology, medical-surgical, pediatric and maternal nursing, run skills and simulation labs, supervise students on hospital units, prepare students for the NCLEX and help shape nursing programs.

Most hold a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing and an RN license. BLS projects much faster than average growth, and nursing schools face faculty shortages.

Typical duties

  • Teach nursing courses
  • Run skills and simulation labs
  • Supervise clinical rotations
  • Prepare students for the NCLEX
  • Evaluate student competency
  • Develop curricula
  • Mentor students

Work environment and schedule

Instructors work in classrooms, simulation labs and hospitals.

Schedule: Clinical days start early; teaching and grading fill the rest.

A day in the life

  1. Meet students on a hospital unit.
  2. Supervise medication passes.
  3. Run a post-conference.
  4. Teach pharmacology.

See a full day in the life of a nursing instructor →

Nursing Instructor salary

Half of nursing instructors earned more than $80,250 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $48,800 for the lowest 10% to $129,500 for the top 10%.

Full nursing instructor pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a nursing instructor

  1. Become an RN
  2. Gain clinical experience
  3. Earn an MSN or doctorate
  4. Teach clinicals
  5. Earn the CNE

A master’s or doctoral degree in nursing and an RN license are typical; some programs accept experienced BSN nurses for clinical teaching.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a nursing instructor →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Nursing expertise
  • Clinical supervision
  • Simulation teaching
  • Curriculum design
  • Assessment

People skills

  • Patience
  • Mentoring
  • Communication
  • Professionalism

All nursing instructor skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Much faster-than-average growth
  • Faculty shortage means openings
  • Shape future nurses
  • Mix of teaching and clinical

Cons

  • Lower pay than some clinical roles
  • Early clinical days
  • Grading load
  • NCLEX pressure

Certifications and licenses

  • RN license: Required.
  • Certified Nurse Educator (CNE): NLN credential.
  • CNE-cl: Clinical nurse educator credential.
  • Specialty certification: Clinical specialty.

Career path

  1. Clinical Instructor: Teach clinicals.
  2. Nursing Faculty: Teach courses.
  3. Program Coordinator: Lead programs.
  4. Dean of Nursing: Lead schools.

Learn the job before day one

Our Nursing Instructor training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as supervise a student medication pass and lead a clinical post-conference, safety and how to land your first job.

View Nursing Instructor trainingIs this career right for me?

Registered Nurse

Assess patients, give treatments, coordinate care and educate families.

  • $97,550
  • 2–4 years

Nurse Practitioner

Diagnose, treat and prescribe as an advanced practice registered nurse.

  • $132,300
  • 6–8 years including RN education

Licensed Practical Nurse

Give licensed nursing care (meds, wound care and monitoring) in about a year of training.

  • $64,400
  • 12–18 months

Compare: Nursing Instructor vs. RN · Nursing Instructor vs. Health Sciences Professor · Nursing Instructor vs. NP · Nursing Instructor vs. LPN

Nursing Instructor FAQ

Do nursing instructors need a doctorate?

Many have a master’s; universities increasingly want doctorates.

Is there a nursing faculty shortage?

Yes, many schools report shortages.

Do instructors work in hospitals?

Yes, supervising clinical rotations.

How much does a nursing instructor make?

The median annual wage for nursing instructors was $80,250 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $48,800 and the highest 10% earned more than $129,500.

How long does it take to become a nursing instructor?

Most people need about 6–8 years of training. A master’s or doctoral degree in nursing and an RN license are typical; some programs accept experienced BSN nurses for clinical teaching.

Do you need a degree to be a nursing instructor?

Usually. BLS lists a doctoral degree as typical. Most nursing faculty hold a master’s (MSN) or doctorate (DNP or Ph.D.), and all need an RN license.

More nursing instructor questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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