After you register for Practicum Pledge® (and meet other requirements1), if you can’t identify a site and preceptor, our dedicated Field Placement Team partners with you to help you find a match. Gain added confidence as you start your journey.
SET YOUR PACE AND COSTS
With Tempo Learning®, you can personalize the length, cost, and pacing of your MSN-Nursing Education program.
ENGAGING LEARNING
Immersive MSN learning experiences, both in person and virtual, allow you to prepare for real scenarios you’ll face in the field.
BE A BEACON OF CHANGE
Walden’s MSN online program is rooted in creating social change, empowering you to take an active role in healthcare’s evolution.
Curriculum and Completion Requirements
Choose the MSN-Nursing Education BSN to MSN track if you are a registered nurse (RN) and have already earned your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.
Featured MSN-Nursing Education Courses
In this course, students explore how to plan instruction on a nursing topic, creating and adapting meaningful lessons and assessment/evaluation strategies for multiple learning environments and learner characteristics. Considering the diverse learning needs and ethical considerations of different learner groups (e.g., nursing students, staff, and patients/caregivers), students examine how to effectively integrate technology tools and develop lessons encompassing those needs. Students also explore evaluation strategies and outcome measurements related to their chosen topic and how technology can assist. A final project involves adapting a face-to-face lesson for a digital learning environment. Throughout the course, students apply innovative teaching approaches for effective nursing education.
In today's complex healthcare arena, and with increased patient acuity, there is a continuing need for highly skilled nurses at the patient point of care. Nurse educators must possess advanced clinical knowledge to teach complex clinical content effectively. Nursing education students are expected to advance their clinical knowledge in a selected specialty to prepare them to fulfill the role of the nurse educator.
Nursing education students in this course explore the roles of the nurse educator, including staff developers, patient educators, and academic educators. Through the Practicum Experience, students translate and apply theoretical principles from their clinical specialty and teaching practices in implementing the educator role. Students will develop an appreciation for the complexities of the role of the educator and the challenges inherent to that role.
In this course, students develop basic skills that are used by Nursing Professional Development Practitioners and Academic Nurse Educators in practice and academic environments, respectively. Foundational theories of learning are covered as they are applied to the Nursing Professional Development Practitioner and Academic Nurse Educator roles. An overview of the educational design process is examined. Standards and competencies for Nursing Professional Development Practitioners, Academic Nurse Educators, and Academic Clinical Nurse Educators are explored as well as concepts of organizational alignment and leadership.
Nurse educators must have advanced mastery of health assessment, and advanced knowledge of pathophysiology and drug therapy that relate to development of educational strategies and nursing care of patient groups across the lifespan. This course builds on previous knowledge by integrating advanced concepts of pathophysiological processes, pharmacology, and health assessment skills as they apply to clinical reasoning for advanced nursing practice that lead to favorable patient care outcomes. Students apply the knowledge gained to specific real-world clinical cases for improvement of patient outcomes.
Curriculum and Completion Requirements
Choose the RN to MSN track if you are a registered nurse (RN) entering the MSN program with a hospital diploma or an associate degree in nursing.
Featured MSN-Nursing Education Courses
In this course, students are provided with an overview of the evolution of nursing as a profession and introduced to their new role as scholar-practitioners. They examine changes in the U.S. healthcare delivery system, the importance of information technology, and measures that promote quality, safety, and better health outcomes in patient care. Students consider major issues and trends in contemporary nursing and healthcare practice, including the influence of socioeconomic, ethical, legal, and political variables and professional values. Through weekly discussions and assignments, students explore and share personal experiences in the context of contemporary nursing issues, such as the nursing shortage, workforce challenges, healthcare financing, professional organizations, and diversity. They are challenged to examine and propose solutions to these nursing issues in addition to those in their workplace. Students reflect on Walden's mission of social change and its impact on their future nursing practice as a scholar-practitioner. Because this is the first nursing course within the RN/BSN program, students learn to use Walden University's resources to enhance writing skills. Students are also introduced to the tools essential to success at Walden.
Nurses must understand research in order to effectively participate in the provision of evidence-based nursing care. Students in this course learn the foundational elements of the research process, refine information-literacy skills, and develop an understanding of ethical research. Students investigate each step of the research process and complete a critical examination of quantitative and qualitative research relevant to their nursing practice. Students are given the tools to analyze nurse-sensitive indicators and clinical practice guidelines.
The educational environment in higher education and health care settings is influenced by social, economic, regulatory, and technological transformations. Students in this course learn the theoretical foundations that drive curriculum development, assessment, and evaluation. They also focus on curriculum components, which include societal, professional, and educational trends that affect nursing education curricula.
Students in this course focus on application of theories and concepts from nursing and public health sciences in assessing health status; preventing and controlling disease; and promoting a healthier population by working with families, aggregates, communities, and healthcare systems. Students apply systems thinking by using epidemiological and community assessment techniques to examine populations at risk, health promotion, and levels of prevention with special emphasis on ethnically diverse and vulnerable populations. Major local, state, and national health issues are considered, including communicable disease, chronic illness, environmental and occupational health, bioterrorism, emergency and disaster preparedness, and response. Practice experiences provide learning experiences in population-based health promotion by collaborating with interdisciplinary public health partners in a local community. (1 credit of practicum equates to 72 clock hours of student practice experience hours.)
Students will receive a foundation for academic and professional success as scholar-practitioners and social change agents. Course assignments introduce students to resources that support success, development of graduate-level writing skills and use of APA Style, academic integrity, and the creation of a professional development plan based on each student's chosen specialization. Additionally, information and requirements for the MSN Practicum are
BSN to DNP/PhD in Nursing
If you are a registered nurse (RN) and have earned your bachelor’s in nursing degree, you can use these tracks to get started on your doctoral nursing degree.
Admissions
Talk to a Walden Enrollment Specialist for personal guidance on everything from finding the right program to paying for your degree.
Streamlined Admissions Process
Pursuing an MSN-Nursing Education degree is an important decision. To help you take that next step, Walden offers a simple admissions process that includes:
No application fee
Easy credit transfer
No essay or SAT/ACT/GRE requirement
Program Admission Considerations (RN-MSN): Registered nurses who hold a hospital diploma, associate degree in nursing, or bachelor’s degree (other than BSN)
Program Admission Considerations (BSN-MSN): A bachelor's degree or higher.
General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts.
More information for international applicants.
Tuition Breakdown
Wondering how you’ll pay for your Online Master’s in Nursing Education (MSN) specialization? Walden offers several ways to reduce your tuition costs, including:
Experience-based credits
Tuition reduction
Believe & Achieve Scholarship®
Stay Inspired. Stay on Track. Save Money.
Discover progress-based savings that inspire you to stay on track to graduation.
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 53 quarter credit hours | $495 per quarter hour | $26,235 |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $175 | $1,050 |
| $27,285* | |||
| BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION | -$4,950 $22,335†* | ||
*Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships, or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 25 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0109.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $1,500 to $2,000. Students may also incur additional costs related to practicum, including but not limited to costs of travel to their practicum site, practicum onboarding fees, per quarter practicum fees, and liability insurance costs.
†*Represents course-based learning format, BSN-MSN track, no optional sub-specializations, minimum time to completion, and Believe & Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 26 RN Foundational quarter credit hours | $425 per quarter hour | $11,050 |
| 53 MSN quarter credit hours | $495 per quarter hour | $26,235 | |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $175 | $1,400 |
| $38,685* | |||
| BELIEVE & ACHIEVE SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION | -$4,950 $33,735†* | ||
*Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships, or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 35 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0109.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $1,500 to $2,000. Students may also incur additional costs related to practicum, including but not limited to costs of travel to their practicum site, practicum onboarding fees, per quarter practicum fees, and liability insurance costs.
†*Represents course-based learning format, RN-MSN track, minimum time to completion, and Believe and Achieve Scholarship. Your actual total program time and costs may vary.
Walden’s Tempo Learning® program options follow a subscription-based pricing format. Students are billed a flat rate for each three-month subscription term. All pricing is represented in U.S. dollars and is subject to change.
| Program | Subscription Period Tuition | Subscription Period PROGRAM Fee | Subscription Period Time Frame |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | $3,000** | $175 | 3-month subscription period |
| You may be able to complete your MS in Nursing degree in 14 months for under $13,000 for select specializations.* | |||
*Represents Tempo Learning® format, BSN-MSN option, Believe & Achieve Scholarship, and the fastest pace of our top 25% transfer students in this program in the Tempo Learning® format. Your actual total program time and costs will depend on your individual pace and transfer credits. A student’s pace is usually determined by their experience, ability to work independently, and availability. Believe & Achieve Scholarship savings based on current tuition. See Scholarship Details for more information.
Financial Aid
Financial aid is available for this program. Our financial aid advisors can help you identify funding opportunities to help you pay for your education.
Go at Your Own Pace
You have a unique learning style—and a unique schedule. That’s why Walden offers you more than one way to learn.
Course Based
Instructor-led
Ideal if you prefer predictability, deadlines and traditional learning format.
Starts on October 07, 2024
Tempo Learning®
Self-paced
Ideal if you’re a self-motivated learner with strong time management skills.
Starts on October 07, 2024
*Your actual total program time and costs may vary. Tuition and fees are subject to change. See Tuition and Fees section and Scholarship Details for more information.
Career Opportunities
Nurse Educator
Instruct aspiring or current RNs in various areas of nursing in colleges, universities, or hospitals.
Expected growth: 18%1
Estimated annual wage: $49,120–$103,3701
1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls in the MSN-Nursing Education program will obtain a job or will earn the stated salaries.
Walden gave me an opportunity to become the healthcare professional I always wanted to be.
Alvin Mena Cantero | DNP ’17, MSN ’15
Learning Outcomes
As a graduate of this MSN-Nursing Education online program, you’ll be prepared to:
Synthesize organizational/systems leadership for cost-effective specialist nursing practice that contributes to high-quality healthcare delivery, advancement of the nursing profession, and social change.
Critique evidence-based literature drawing from diverse theoretical perspectives and pertinent research to guide decision making that demonstrates best practices for specialist nursing practice in a global society.
Integratively assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate cost-effective healthcare strategies that reduce health disparities by patient/population advocacy for access to specialist nursing care.
Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate using audience-specific oral, written, and information technology for professional delivery of specialist nursing care.
Evaluate health needs of diverse populations for necessary teaching/coaching functions based on specialist nursing knowledge to restore/promote health and prevent illness/injury.
Exhibit ongoing commitment to professional development and value of nursing theories/ethical principles (altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity, social justice) in accordance with ethically responsible, legally accountable, specialist nursing practice.
Implement specialist nursing roles to promote quality improvement of patient-centered care in accordance with professional practice standards that transform health outcomes for diverse populations.
Meet Your Academic Team
Walden’s dedicated team of nurse leaders, educators, and mentors are committed to guiding and inspiring you along your MSN-Nursing Education journey.
You Might Also Be Interested In
Explore other online nursing degree programs at Walden.
MSN - Nursing Education FAQ
A nurse educator plays a vital role in the healthcare system by combining their clinical expertise with teaching skills to educate and train future nurses and current nursing staff. Some of the main responsibilities of a nurse educator include teaching and instructing, clinical supervision, developing nursing program and professional development curriculum, and nursing student assessment and evaluation. With an MSN-Nursing Education degree from Walden, you’ll be qualified to serve as a mentor and role model for nursing students and new nurses, offering guidance, encouragement, and advice to help them navigate their educational and professional journey.
An MSN-Nursing Education program can help prepare you to:
- Become a teacher and mentor in a variety of healthcare and academic settings.
- Contribute to the professional development of other nurses to improve patient outcomes.
- Train new nurses and help shape the future of the nursing workforce.
- Help existing nursing staff maintain their clinical competency.
An MSN-Nursing Education degree can also help prepare you to educate patients on various health topics, conduct research, and contribute to nursing publications.
While a nurse educator must at least be certified as a registered nurse, many have advanced degrees such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). If you have years of experience in nursing and are passionate about training and mentoring the next generation of registered nurses, now may be the time to go back to earn your MSN. When you choose Walden University’s master’s in nursing education specialization, you’ll learn to design, implement, evaluate, and revise educational programs for nurses.
In order to earn a credible Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree, you need to attend a university with an accredited MSN program. Specifically, you should look for Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation. CCNE is a national accreditation agency focused on assuring the quality and integrity of nursing degree programs and residency programs. The baccalaureate degree program in nursing (BSN), master’s degree program in nursing (MSN), post-graduate APRN certificate program, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Walden University are all CCNE-accredited.
Walden’s MSN-Nursing Education program focuses on curriculum development, digital learning experiences, leadership in nursing education, assessment, and more. There are six nursing education topics you will focus on, whether you choose the course-based option or the Tempo Learning® option. Two examples of courses you’ll take are as follows:
Teaching Learning Strategies: Integrating Technology Into Nursing Education
- Integrate technology tools and develop lessons to support the diverse learning needs and ethical considerations of different groups of learners, including nursing students, staff, patients, and caregivers.
- Learn how to plan and create lessons as well as evaluate strategies for a variety of learning environments and learner characteristics.
- Adapt a face-to-face lesson for a digital learning environment.
Curriculum Development, Assessment, and Evaluation
- Learn how the educational environment in higher education and healthcare settings is influenced by social, economic, regulatory, and technological transformations.
- Understand the theoretical foundations that drive curriculum development, assessment, and evaluation.
- Study the different components of curriculum, which include societal, professional, and educational trends that affect nursing education curricula.
With the MSN-Nursing Education RN to MSN track at Walden, you can streamline your journey to an MSN. Students in this MSN program track complete 26 quarter credits of undergraduate-level foundational courses before starting the MSN core courses. The foundational courses contain the essential content and learning activities to prepare students for the master’s core courses but are not equivalent to the degree requirements of a BSN program (a BSN degree is not awarded).
Walden’s program curriculum covers relevant scenarios and actual skills needed in today’s healthcare industry.
In addition, our MSN in nursing education online program offers:
- Robust practicum support to help you start your program with confidence. After you register for the Walden Practicum Pledge™ (and meet other requirements1), if you can’t identify a site and preceptor, our dedicated Field Placement Team partners with you to help you find a match.
- Coursework that aligns with National League for Nursing (NLN) standards for nurse educators and the Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD).
- The opportunity to set your MSN-Nursing Education program pace and costs with the Tempo Learning® degree completion option.
- Engaging, immersive learning experiences—both virtual and in-person—including VR technology, realistic case studies, and hands-on clinical practicum experiences.
- Curriculum designed to empower you to create positive change in your organization, community, and the healthcare industry as a whole.
The Nursing Education specialization’s content is consistent with the National League for Nursing (NLN) standards for nurse educators and aligned with the Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD) standards. Students in Walden’s online MSN with a Nurse Education specialization will be academically prepared to sit for the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) exam through the NLN upon graduation. Qualifications to sit for certification exams are determined by the certifying body.