Nursing Instructors

The ideal candidate for a nursing instructor has a solid background in both teaching and nursing. The teaching need not be in nursing directly; candidates may have related experience teaching biology, health, home economics, nutrition, or recreation and fitness. Similarly, the candidate's nursing experience may be as a nurse midwife or nurse practitioner rather than the traditional R.N. route. Nursing instructors, no matter what their experience, should  be adept in teaching skills such as communicating information effectively; critical thinking skills such as using logic and reasoning; writing clearly; and assessing one's own performance as well as that of others. Like other people-oriented occupations, nursing instructors are socially oriented and sensitive to the needs and feelings of others. Such teachers have a pleasant, cooperative relationship with students and are adaptable to change and variety in the classroom. Yet they also are willing to take charge and offer opinions and direction when needed. They are even-tempered and able to deal calmly with stressful situations. 

In addition, nursing instructors must be able to teach their students the humane side of nursing that is so important in patient and nurse relationships. New medical technologies, patient treatments, and medications are constantly being developed, so nursing instructors must stay abreast of new information in the medical field. They need to be up to date on the use of new medical equipment that is used for patient care.