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Practical Nursing Instructor Jobs in Chicago, IL

For Nursing (ASN, PN, or LPN-to-RN Programs): * A Master's Degree in Nursing (MSN) is preferred. * A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the minimum, if the instructor is currently enrolled in a ...

For Nursing (ASN, PN, or LPN-to-RN Programs): * A Master's Degree in Nursing (MSN) is preferred. * A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the minimum, if the instructor is currently enrolled in a ...

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Practical Nursing Instructor information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$41.8K

$63.6K

$85.1K

How much do practical nursing instructor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for practical nursing instructor in Chicago, IL is $63,600.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,000.00 and $73,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a practical nursing instructor?

Practical Nursing Instructors are educators who teach and train students in practical nursing programs, preparing them to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs). They develop lesson plans, deliver lectures, supervise clinical practice, and assess student performance. These instructors combine their knowledge of nursing theory and hands-on clinical experience to ensure students gain the skills needed for entry-level nursing roles. They may work in community colleges, vocational schools, or healthcare facilities. Their primary goal is to help students meet licensure requirements and succeed in the nursing profession.

What does a practical nursing instructor do?

A practical nursing instructor teaches courses in a practical nursing program, often at a community college. As a practical nursing instructor, your responsibilities include preparing course syllabi and curricula, maintaining accurate records about students’ attendance and grades, serving on faculty committees, and acting as an advisor for nursing students. Your job duties include recruiting students; instructing students in classrooms, labs, and clinical settings; and helping students plan their educational journey from enrollment through graduation. You may teach classes such as patient care fundamentals, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, and pharmacology.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a practical nursing instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Practical Nursing Instructor, you need extensive clinical nursing experience, a valid nursing license (such as RN or LPN), and typically a bachelor's degree or higher in nursing or education. Familiarity with educational technology, simulation labs, and curriculum development tools is commonly required. Strong communication, mentorship, and organizational skills enable effective teaching and support for diverse student populations. These competencies ensure high-quality instruction, foster student success, and maintain compliance with educational standards.

What are some common challenges practical nursing instructors face when transitioning from clinical practice to teaching?

Many Practical Nursing Instructors find that adapting their hands-on clinical expertise to an educational setting can be challenging. This transition often involves learning new skills in curriculum development, lesson planning, and student assessment, which can differ significantly from patient care tasks. Additionally, instructors must balance classroom teaching with supervising clinical rotations, requiring strong organizational and communication abilities. Collaborating with colleagues in academic and healthcare settings is also essential to ensure students receive well-rounded, up-to-date training.

What is the difference between Practical Nursing Instructor vs Licensed Practical Nurse?

AspectPractical Nursing InstructorLicensed Practical Nurse
CredentialsLicensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license, teaching certification (if required)LPN license, completed approved practical nursing program
Work EnvironmentEducational settings, classrooms, clinical labsHospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities
Employer & IndustryEducational institutions, nursing schoolsHealthcare providers, hospitals, clinics
Primary FocusTeaching and training future practical nursesProviding direct patient care

In summary, Practical Nursing Instructors focus on educating and training students to become licensed practical nurses, working mainly in educational settings. Licensed Practical Nurses provide direct patient care in healthcare environments. While both roles require LPN licensure, their work environments and primary responsibilities differ significantly.

What are popular job titles related to Practical Nursing Instructor jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Practical Nursing Instructor jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Practical Nursing Instructor jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Practical Nursing Instructor jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Infographic showing various Practical Nursing Instructor job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, 43% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,600 per year, or $30.6 per hour.

Nursing Instructor - Mental Health (Online)

ATS Institute of Technology, Nursing School

Chicago, IL • Remote

$50/hr

Part-time

Medical, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New


Job description

ATS Institute of Technology is seeking an experienced Registered Nurse with a background in mental health/psychiatric nursing to join our nursing faculty as a Part-Time Mental Health Nursing Instructor.

This is a remote/online teaching position scheduled during daytime hours on Fridays. The instructor will teach Mental Health Nursing to Practical Nursing students and help students develop the knowledge, clinical judgment, critical-thinking skills, and NCLEX-PN readiness needed to provide safe and effective care to clients with mental health needs.

Schedule: Fridays – Daytime Hours

Applicants must hold a current, unencumbered Registered Nurse license in Illinois

Your Role

As a Mental Health Nursing Instructor, you will deliver engaging, student-centered online instruction and help students connect psychiatric and mental health nursing concepts to practical nursing care.

You will create an interactive virtual classroom environment, encourage active participation and clinical reasoning, identify students who need additional support, and work collaboratively with nursing faculty and academic leadership to promote student success.

Key Responsibilities

  • Deliver engaging, live online instruction in Mental Health Nursing.
  • Teach core psychiatric and behavioral health concepts relevant to Practical Nursing practice.
  • Strengthen students' clinical judgment, critical thinking, and NCLEX-PN readiness.
  • Assess student progress and provide feedback, support, and remediation as needed.
  • Collaborate with nursing faculty and academic leadership to support course and program outcomes.

Why Join Us?

At ATS Institute of Technology, you will have the opportunity to directly influence the development of future nurses while teaching in a flexible online environment. You will join a collaborative nursing faculty focused on strong instruction, student support, clinical judgment, and preparing students for success in nursing practice and on the NCLEX-PN.

This part-time role is especially well suited for an experienced mental health nurse or nurse educator who wants to remain engaged in nursing education while maintaining other professional responsibilities.

Requirements

What You Need:

  • Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN) required; Master's or Doctorate in Nursing preferred.
  • Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse license in Illinois.
  • Minimum of 3 years of experience as a Registered Nurse.
  • Professional experience in mental health, psychiatric, behavioral health, or a closely related area of nursing.
  • Ability to teach online during daytime hours on Fridays.
  • Prior nursing education or teaching experience preferred.
  • Experience teaching in an online or virtual environment preferred.
  • Strong communication, organization, and student-engagement skills.
  • Commitment to creating a supportive, accountable, and student-centered learning environment.

Benefits

The anticipated pay rate for this position is $50.00 per hour. Paid time off (PTO) is available. Employees who work at least 32 hours per week are eligible for health benefits. Compensation and benefits are subject to change at the sole discretion of the institution based on institutional needs.