How to Become a Nursing Professor: Is it the Right Career for You?

Nursing Professor Career Video

Nursing professors play a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals. As educators, mentors, and researchers, they bring clinical expertise into the academic world to advance nursing practice and improve patient care. If you are a licensed nurse with a passion for teaching and a desire to impact the future of healthcare, becoming a nursing professor might be your ideal career.

This guide will help you explore the responsibilities, requirements, job outlook, and related careers in nursing education to help you determine if this is the right professional path for you.

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✅ A personality trait quiz to understand your work style

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What Does a Nursing Professor Do?

Nursing professors are expert educators who prepare the next generation of nurses through a combination of classroom instruction, clinical supervision, curriculum planning, and academic research. They play a vital role in ensuring that nursing students are well-equipped with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for modern healthcare environments.

Whether working in a university, a teaching hospital, or a community college, nursing professors serve as mentors, researchers, and clinical role models. Their work goes far beyond lectures—these professionals help shape the future of healthcare by influencing how nursing is taught and practiced.

Key Responsibilities

  • Developing and Teaching Nursing Courses
    Nursing professors create and deliver lectures, simulations, and lab sessions for both undergraduate and graduate students. Courses may cover a variety of topics, including anatomy, pharmacology, nursing ethics, patient care, and public health.
  • Designing Syllabi and Assessments
    They design course materials, learning objectives, and assessment tools to ensure students meet academic and professional nursing standards. Evaluations often include exams, projects, skills checklists, and clinical performance reviews.
  • Supervising Students in Clinical Settings
    Professors oversee nursing students during clinical rotations at hospitals or clinics. They provide feedback, assess competencies, and ensure students adhere to patient care and safety guidelines.
  • Conducting Research and Publishing Findings
    Academic nursing faculty are often involved in evidence-based research to improve patient outcomes, healthcare systems, or nursing education itself. They publish articles in scholarly journals and present at national and international conferences.
  • Mentoring and Advising Students
    Nursing professors provide one-on-one guidance to students on academic performance, clinical placements, licensure exams, graduate school opportunities, and career paths. Many also mentor new nursing faculty members.
  • Contributing to Committees and Governance
    They serve on institutional and professional committees focused on curriculum development, accreditation, faculty hiring, and student retention. Active participation in university governance helps shape academic policies.
  • Staying Informed on Developments
    Because healthcare and education constantly evolve, nursing professors stay up-to-date with emerging medical practices, simulation technology, and pedagogical techniques through continuing education, certifications, and professional development workshops.

Nursing professors must bridge the gap between theory and practice. They are responsible for ensuring that students not only understand the science behind nursing but can also apply that knowledge compassionately and competently in real-world settings. Their influence often extends far beyond the classroom, making a lasting impact on healthcare systems through their students, research, and leadership.

What is the Working Environment for a Nursing Professor?

Nursing professors primarily work in:

  • Universities and colleges with nursing programs
  • Nursing schools within medical centers
  • Community colleges and vocational schools

Work Conditions

  • Office and Classroom: Professors spend time preparing lectures, grading, and holding office hours.
  • Clinical Settings: Many supervisors work with students in hospitals or clinics during practicums.
  • Research Labs or Libraries: Those in research-heavy roles may collaborate on grant-funded studies or publish in peer-reviewed journals.

The job can be demanding due to the need to balance teaching, mentoring, research, and administrative duties. However, it is also intellectually fulfilling and mission-driven.

How Do You Become a Nursing Professor?

Becoming a nursing professor involves both academic and clinical credentials.

Step 1: Become a Registered Nurse (RN)

  • Complete an accredited nursing program (Associate or Bachelor of Science in Nursing)
  • Pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become licensed

Step 2: Gain Clinical Experience

  • Work as an RN in a hospital, clinic, or community setting
  • Many academic institutions require 2–5 years of hands-on experience

Step 3: Earn Advanced Degrees

  • Master of Science in Nursing (MSN): Required to teach at many institutions
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Ph.D. in Nursing: Needed for tenure-track university positions or research roles

Step 4: Get Teaching Experience

  • Start as a clinical instructor or adjunct faculty member
  • Attend educator workshops or pursue a post-master's certificate in nursing education

Step 5: Pursue Certification (Optional but Beneficial)

  • Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential from the National League for Nursing (NLN)

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)

National League for Nursing (NLN)

What Is the Salary of a Nursing Professor?

Nursing professors—officially known as postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers—are compensated well for their vital role in training future healthcare professionals.

Median and Average Salaries

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers was $84,180 as of May 2023.

Additional salary insights include:

Factors That Influence Salary

Nursing professor salaries can vary widely based on:

  • Geographic location: States like California, Massachusetts, and New York often report higher averages.
  • Institution type: Professors working in medical schools or large research universities may earn more than those in smaller colleges.
  • Level of experience and education: Professors with doctoral degrees, extensive clinical backgrounds, or administrative responsibilities often earn toward the upper end of the scale.

O*NET Confirmation

According to O*NET Online, the median salary for this occupation is reported as $79,940, which aligns closely with the BLS findings.

What Is the Labor Market for a Nursing Professor?

The labor market outlook for nursing professors is highly favorable, reflecting both the growing demand for healthcare professionals and the critical need for qualified nursing educators.

Fast Job Growth

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of postsecondary nursing instructors and teachers is projected to grow by 22% from 2022 to 2032—a rate that is much faster than the average for all occupations.
(Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook – Postsecondary Teachers)

Several key factors are driving this growth:

  • A nationwide nursing shortage increases the need for trained nursing professionals.
  • Retirements among current nursing faculty are creating more openings in academic positions.
  • An increase in nursing program enrollments is anticipated, particularly as more students pursue careers in healthcare following public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Employment Numbers

As of 2022, there were approximately 82,700 nursing instructors and teachers employed across the United States. By 2032, that number is expected to grow to 100,600, with an estimated 9,100 job openings annually, including new positions and replacements due to retirements or career changes.
(Source: BLS Employment Projections for 25-1072.00 Nursing Instructors and Teachers)

High Demand in Specific Areas

While demand exists nationwide, it is particularly acute in:

  • Rural areas and underserved regions
  • Community colleges and teaching hospitals
  • States with expanding nursing programs or aging populations

What Are the Pros and Cons of Being a Nursing Professor?

Pros

  • Meaningful impact on the future of healthcare
  • Intellectual engagement through teaching and research
  • Opportunities for professional growth and academic recognition
  • Predictable work hours compared to clinical nursing roles
  • Eligibility for tenure and sabbatical leave in academic institutions

Cons

  • Extensive educational requirements
  • Lower salary than some advanced clinical roles (e.g., nurse practitioners)
  • Pressure to publish research or secure grants
  • Balancing teaching, advising, and administrative duties

What Are the Careers Related to Being a Nursing Professor?

Nursing Professor - A Social Career Path

A Nursing Professor is a profession that aligns with the Social–Investigative personality types in the Holland Code (RIASEC) system. This framework helps match your interests and traits with compatible careers. You can learn your unique three-letter Holland Code by taking the Career Fit Test™.

People with Social traits are compassionate and enjoy teaching or helping others, while Investigative types are analytical and enjoy exploring ideas and research. As a Nursing Professor, you’ll combine both traits by educating future nurses, conducting clinical research, and developing nursing curricula. This career is ideal for individuals passionate about healthcare, education, and mentoring the next generation of nursing professionals.

List of Holland Social Careers

Below are many more social careers. Also, see our article, Finding the Right Career for Your Social Personality.

To explore which ones match your passions and skills, take the Career Fit Test™

What Types of Jobs Can a Nursing Professor Pursue?

Nursing professors can hold a variety of academic roles:

  • Tenure-track professor
  • Adjunct or part-time instructor
  • Clinical instructor
  • Simulation lab coordinator
  • Program director for nursing education
  • Dean of nursing or academic affairs

They may also contribute to textbook development, serve on accreditation boards, or provide consulting services to healthcare organizations.

What Websites Are Best for Finding a Nursing Professor Job?

These platforms offer advanced filters to narrow down roles by location, academic rank, institution type, and required qualifications.

How Do I Know If I Should Be a Nursing Professor?

Deciding whether to become a nursing professor requires thoughtful self-assessment and exploration. This role blends clinical experience, a passion for education, and the desire to shape the future of nursing. If you enjoy mentoring others, communicating complex ideas, and contributing to the advancement of healthcare, this could be a fulfilling career path. However, it’s essential to determine whether your personality, values, and long-term goals align with the demands and rewards of academia.

Use Career Aptitude Tests

A great first step is taking a career aptitude test to assess your interests, strengths, and suitability for academic and instructional roles. One highly recommended resource is the Free Career Fit Test™, which goes far beyond a standard career quiz. It includes three powerful tools in one:

  • A Career Test
    This component matches your preferences and goals with potential career paths that align with your natural inclinations and interests—such as roles in teaching, mentoring, or healthcare leadership.
  • A Career Aptitude Assessment
    This measures your abilities in critical thinking, communication, leadership, and decision-making—skills essential for excelling as a nursing professor.
  • A Personality Trait Quiz
    This reveals how your working style, interpersonal dynamics, and motivational drivers influence your fit for roles in education, academia, or clinical supervision.

By completing the test and reviewing the Career Fit Test™ Premium Report, you’ll gain deep insights into:

  • Your top professional strengths
  • Careers that align with your values and capabilities
  • How to connect your talents with meaningful work
  • What type of workplace and role will help you thrive
  • Whether teaching, mentoring, and scholarly work match your life goals

This kind of guided reflection is invaluable in helping you make an informed, confident career decision—especially for a specialized role like nursing professor.

Try Informational Interviewing

Another highly effective strategy is conducting informational interviews with current or former nursing professors. These conversations offer firsthand insight into what the role really entails—beyond what a job description or degree program might say.

Consider asking the following questions:

  • What does your typical day look like—both in and out of the classroom?
  • What are the biggest challenges you face in your role?
  • What do you find most rewarding about teaching nursing students?
  • What qualifications or experiences helped you transition into academia?
  • How do you balance clinical expertise with academic research or teaching obligations?

Hearing these real-world perspectives will help you determine if the responsibilities, pace, and culture of higher education resonate with your goals and personality.

Informational interviewing also gives you a chance to build professional connections and potentially find mentors in the field—an important part of your journey into academia.

How Can I Learn More About a Career as a Nursing Professor?

Explore the following resources:

These organizations provide publications, conferences, webinars, and policy updates that are relevant to nursing education.

Conclusion

A career as a Nursing Professor blends the compassion and expertise of nursing with the intellectual challenge and fulfillment of teaching. It’s a path for those who not only care deeply about patient outcomes but also about educating future nurses and advancing the profession through research and leadership. If you’re passionate about mentoring, communicating complex ideas, and staying at the forefront of both healthcare and education, this role may be a deeply satisfying career choice.

To determine whether this path aligns with your values and strengths, consider taking a career test, such as the Free Career Fit Test. This test includes three assessments—a career test, a career aptitude tool, and a personality trait quiz—that together provide powerful insights into your ideal career direction. The resulting Career Fit Test™ Premium Report will help you identify your unique strengths, understand your work style, and explore careers that will allow you to thrive and make a meaningful impact.

With the right tools, self-reflection, and strategic planning, you can confidently pursue a fulfilling role that shapes the future of nursing—one student, one lesson, and one discovery at a time.