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Nursing Instructor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Students complete theory instruction via online learning, nursing skills in the lab and simulation environment and their clinical rotations in the MSP area. We are seeking a full-time instructor to ...

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Nursing Instructor information

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$40K

$80.6K

$120K

How much do nursing instructor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for nursing instructor in the United States is $80,622.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,500.00 and $94,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How to make $100,000 as an RN?

Registered nurses (RNs) can earn $100,000 or more by gaining specialized certifications, working in high-paying settings such as hospitals or surgical centers, and taking on roles with overtime or shift differentials. Advancing to management, becoming a nurse practitioner, or working in certain geographic areas can also increase earning potential.

How to make 300,000 dollars as a nurse?

Nursing instructors typically earn less than $300,000 annually; reaching this income level usually requires additional roles such as advanced practice nursing, healthcare administration, or owning a private practice. Gaining specialized certifications, extensive experience, and working in high-paying settings or consulting can increase earning potential, but reaching $300,000 is uncommon for standard nursing instructor roles.

What are some common challenges Nursing Instructors face when transitioning from clinical practice to teaching, and how can they overcome them?

Nursing Instructors often find the transition from clinical practice to classroom teaching challenging due to differences in communication styles, curriculum development, and student assessment methods. Adapting to diverse student learning needs and managing classroom dynamics can also be demanding. To overcome these challenges, it's helpful to seek mentorship from experienced educators, participate in faculty development programs, and actively collaborate with colleagues to share teaching strategies. Emphasizing clear communication and continuous self-reflection can further ease the transition and enhance teaching effectiveness.

How do I become a nursing instructor?

To become a nursing instructor, you typically need to hold a registered nurse (RN) license, earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and gain clinical experience. Many institutions require a master's degree in nursing (MSN) or higher, along with teaching experience or certification in nursing education. Strong communication skills and knowledge of curriculum development are also important.

What Is the Job of a Nursing Instructor?

Nursing instructors teach students who are pursuing a career in nursing. As a nursing instructor, you give lectures, administer exams, grade assignments, and perform all other duties an educator might have. You prepare students for nursing examinations in both laboratory and classroom setting. With experience, you may also teach aspiring nursing educators. Outside of the classroom you meet with other teaching and administrative staff, attend educational conferences, and develop curricula for upcoming classes.

What is the difference between Nursing Instructor vs Nursing Educator?

AspectNursing InstructorNursing Educator
CredentialsRN license, nursing degree, teaching certification (if required)RN license, advanced nursing degrees (e.g., MSN, DNP), teaching credentials (if applicable)
Work EnvironmentClassrooms, clinical labs, healthcare facilitiesClassrooms, online platforms, healthcare training programs
Employer & IndustryColleges, universities, nursing schoolsEducational institutions, healthcare organizations, training programs
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Both Nursing Instructors and Nursing Educators play vital roles in training future nurses. Nursing Instructors typically teach in academic settings and may focus on classroom instruction and clinical supervision. Nursing Educators often have broader roles, including curriculum development and training within healthcare organizations. While their credentials and environments overlap, their specific responsibilities may differ based on the setting.

What are nursing instructors?

Nursing instructors are professionals who teach and train aspiring nurses in academic and clinical settings. They develop lesson plans, deliver lectures, supervise clinical practice, and assess student performance. Nursing instructors play a key role in ensuring that students acquire the knowledge, skills, and professional behaviors required to succeed as nurses. Most nursing instructors have significant clinical experience and hold advanced degrees in nursing or education.

What do nursing instructors do?

Nursing instructors teach nursing students in academic settings, developing and delivering course content, assessing student performance, and ensuring they meet licensing requirements. They often supervise clinical practice, provide mentorship, and stay current with healthcare practices and regulations. Strong communication, clinical expertise, and teaching skills are essential for this role.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Nursing Instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Nursing Instructor, you need a strong background in nursing practice, a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Nursing, and a valid RN license, often supplemented by teaching experience. Familiarity with learning management systems, simulation lab technology, and current clinical guidelines is typically required. Exceptional communication, mentorship, and organizational skills help foster student engagement and support diverse learning needs. These skills ensure effective knowledge transfer, student preparedness, and adherence to educational and clinical standards in nursing education.
What cities are hiring for Nursing Instructor jobs? Cities with the most Nursing Instructor job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Nursing Instructor jobs? The most popular types of Nursing Instructor jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Nursing Instructor jobs? The top employers for Nursing Instructor jobs are:
What states have the most Nursing Instructor jobs? States with the most job openings for Nursing Instructor jobs include:
Infographic showing various Nursing Instructor job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 57% Full Time, 38% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,622 per year, or $38.8 per hour.
Nursing Instructor

$37.21 - $48.78/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago


UNM Health System rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 34 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

416th of 886 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Compensation Disclaimer

Compensation for this role is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to experience, education, and other business and organizational considerations.

Department: Pediatric ICU

FTE: 1.00
Full Time
Shift: Days

Position Summary:
Function as unit educator, master teacher, master preceptor and facilitates evidenced-based research into specialized areas of nursing. Utilize the expertise of a practitioner to incorporate nursing processes into the plan of care for a specialized group of patients. Perform as a unit educator while maintaining clinical skills by performing as a clinical instructor for students from the CON on home unit and/or assisting in staffing on unit. Ensure adherence to Hospitals and departmental policies, procedures and guidelines. Patient care assignment may include neonate, pediatric, adolescent, adult and geriatric age groups.

Detailed responsibilities:
* LEAD - Provide educational leadership to enhance specialized patient care within clinical protocols
* INITIATE - Initiate unit-based strategies for developing clinical skills through the master clinician, master preceptor model
* PERFORM - Perform as a unit educator while maintaining clinical skills by performing as a clinical instructor for students from the CON on home unit and/or assisting in staffing on unit
* PLAN - Develop patient plans of care incorporating evidenced-based research and national standards
* CONSULTS - Consult with and serve as a clinical resource for the multidisciplinary team to ensure quality patient care
* EDUCATE - Educate appropriate staff in the use of new equipment, supplies, and instruments for their service; coordinates in-service training/workshops for appropriate staff
* ASSIST - Assist patient and caregivers with educational needs, problem solving, and health management aspects across the continuum of care
* COLLABORATE - Collaborate with the Clinical Educator as well as the Clinical Nurse Specialist, Specialty RN, or Unit Director to plan and implement pertinent curricula
* MONITOR - Monitor trends and implement educational strategies to ensure quality standards and parameters are achieved
* PATIENT CARE - Deliver safe direct care to an assigned group of patients, providing specialized patient care within nursing protocols and assisting the admission, transfer and discharge process performing all RN nursing duties
* DEVELOPMENT - Enhance professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, reading current literature, attending in-services, meetings and workshops
* PATIENT SAFETY 1 - Follow patient safety-related policies, procedures and protocols
* PATIENT SAFETY 2 - Demonstrate proactive approach to patient safety by seeking opportunities to improve patient safety through questioning of current policies and processes
* PATIENT SAFETY 3 - Identify and report/correct environmental conditions and/or situations that may put a patient at undue risk
* PATIENT SAFETY 4 - Report potential or actual patient safety concerns, medical errors and/or near misses in a timely manner
* PATIENT SAFETY 5 - Encourage patients to actively participate in their own care by asking questions and reporting treatment or situations that they don't understand or may "not seem right"
* MEDICATION - Administer medication, including IV medication, via the Seven Rights; document and communicate clinical findings
* PATIENT CARE - Write treatment plans; coordinate patient drug and procedure activities; administer medication and treatment; provide and coordinate nursing care of assigned patients; may facilitate group therapy and/or education sessions

Qualifications

Education:
Essential:
* Bachelor's Degree
Nonessential:
* Master's Degree
Education specialization:
Essential:
* BSN or MSN
Nonessential:
* Nursing

Experience:
Essential:
18 months directly related experience
Nonessential:
Bilingual English/Keres, Tewa, Tiwa, Towa, Zuni, or Navajo 3 years directly related experience

Credentials:
Essential:
* CPR for Healthcare/BLS Prov or Prof Rescuers w/in 30 days
* RN in NM or as allowed by reciprocal agreement by NM
* Instructor in Unit-Required Certifications w/in 90 Days
Nonessential:
* Current Instructor in BLS, ACLS, NRP or other instruct cert
Credential equivalent experience:
Essential:
* Instructor in Unit-Required Certifications or obtained within one year of position (BLS, ILS, NRP, PALS, ACLS, TNCC, etc)

Physical Conditions:
Heavy Work: Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 25 to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or 10 to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects or people. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Medium Work.

Working conditions:
Essential:
* Sig Hazard: Chemicals, Bio Hazardous Materials req PPE
* Tuberculosis testing is completed upon hire and additionally as required

Sign-On Bonus Available

Relocation Assistance Available

Department: Registered Nurse


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