The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, the master's degree program in nursing, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Colorado Christian University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
MSN in Nursing Education
For nursing students who possess equal parts passion for teaching and equipping for ministering to patients’ individual healthcare needs, a career in nursing education checks all the boxes. CCU’s Master of Science in Nursing Program with a specialty track in Nursing Education addresses the high demand for nurse educators vital to train up and equip the next generation of nurses. This track prepares students to work as nurse educators in diverse settings such as colleges and universities, hospitals, long-term care, or home health and public health, serving as teachers, mentors, and guides. Students who have graduated with their BSN, have passed the NCLEX (state board exam), and are a registered nurse can begin the MSN program immediately.
The employment rate for nurse educators continues its projection of 20% growth between 2018 and 2028.*
The Nursing Education track focuses on faith and learning while integrating holistic teaching methods, instructional design, Christian principles, staff development strategies, student/nurse assessments, innovative teaching strategies, and program evaluations. Taught by mature Christian faculty who are leaders in their field of expertise, the coursework for this specialty track prepares you to be a moral leader from a framework that approaches nursing as ministry, equipping you to come alongside future nurses and help them develop needed skills or spearheading healthcare programs, all with the end goal of continuing foundations of exceptional healthcare.
This track prepares students to assume the role of a university faculty member or as an educator focusing on staff and professional development. Students expand upon best practices within academic or health care settings, examining diverse opportunities for teaching staff or students in a variety of settings. Nurse educator students are eligible for Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) certification at the completion of the program, provided they meet all practice requirements. Students of the nurse educator track become experts in evidence-based practices through continual support of CCU’s experienced faculty who devote themselves to researching cutting edge information and technology in the field and guide students towards best practice. Nurse educators establish clinical expertise and experience throughout the program and proceed to career opportunities as leaders, mentors, and guides who embody exemplary best teaching practices in nursing.
- CCNE accredited
- 39 credit hours (24 in core)
- Theory courses are 100% online and clinical hours are completed in the student's geographic area of residence.
- Courses are taken one at a time and are typically completed in five-week and ten-week blocks
- Designed for busy adult learners; complete in as little as 21 months of consecutive coursework, even with a full-time job
- Students can transfer up to 9 graduate-level credit hours
- Clinical practicum experiences provide integration of nursing theory, practice and research
- Download the MSN Student Handbook to learn more about the Master of Science in Nursing
- Program Brochure
- Associate Degrees: Healthcare Administration, A.S.
- Bachelor's Degrees: Healthcare Administration, B.S., Nursing, BSN, RN to BSN Degree Completion, RN-BSN
- Doctoral Degrees: Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP
- Certificates: Healthcare Administration Certificate
Curriculum
Students in the Nursing Education specialty track will complete the core curriculum courses for the MSN degree along with an additional 15 credit hours, including teaching principles, strategies and technology in nursing education, curriculum design within both academic and health care settings, nursing education practicums, and an integrative capstone in moral leadership.
This track also incorporates clinical practicum experiences distributed over four courses for a total of 245 clinical hours, 90 of which are direct patient care hours.
Career Outlook for Nurse Educators
Nurses have always been the unsung heroes of our communities, with that title in recent times equating to superhero status. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for nurse educators continues its projection of 20% growth between 2018 and 2028, much faster than growth in nursing without the education emphasis which continues a steady rise of 12% for the same timeframe.
The high demand and current shortage of nurses equates to the perfect time to pursue a career in training up the next generation of nurses as a nurse educator, a field combining a passion for healthcare with a love of teaching, with limitless possibilities for instructing in a diverse range of settings.
* Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook
Professional Licensure Disclosure
Colorado Christian University offers several academic programs which lead to professional licensure in the state of Colorado and, in some programs, prepare students for a national exam. All students should be aware that states vary in their educational and professional requirements depending on the profession. Some states require specific educational requirements, clinical requirements, accreditation requirements, or exam requirements. See professional licensure disclosures for details.
State Exclusions for Online Students
Colorado Christian University is required by the U.S. Department of Education to be in compliance with state laws regarding where we can offer distance and/or online education. The College of Adult and Graduate Studies at Colorado Christian University offers courses to online students in all states with some exceptions for specific academic programs.