Nursing Educator Courses

CON nursing educator course

The MUSC College of Nursing offers three courses related to education.  These can be taken as electives for those enrolled in one of our graduate programs of study. Courses can also be taken by non-degree students who wish to complete these courses in order to sit for national certification as a nurse educator.

Course Descriptions

703 Instructional Processes in Nursing

Summer Only – 3 s.h.

This course provides the theoretical foundation and practical application of educational concepts for teaching. Students will be introduced to learning theories, evidence-based instructional methods, and evaluation strategies to enhance learning outcomes of diverse learners in the classroom and clinical settings. The unique learning needs of traditional and non-traditional students, learning styles, generational differences, and diversity will be addressed within the context of course design. Students will be introduced to the role of the nurse educator as change agent, leader, and scholar. Expectations of the faculty role, that include teaching, scholarship, and service will also be addressed.

Course objectives:

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

  1. Devise course objectives, teaching strategies, and evaluation methods to promote achievement of learning outcomes in the classroom or clinical setting.
  2. Demonstrate alignment of course objectives, teaching methods and assessment strategies in a teaching plan.
  3. Apply evidence-based use of simulation in nursing education.
  4. Design assessments to reliably measure learning that reflect identified outcomes.
  5. Use assessment data to enhance the teaching-learning process.

NURSM 615 Methodologies of Online Teaching

Fall Only) – 3 s.h.

This course introduces students to best practices for teaching online from course development and evaluation to application of principles of interface design.Learning theories, cognitive science, and strategies to promote student persistence will be applied to online/blended teaching methods to motivate and support diverse learners. Students will be introduced to a learning management system from the educator perspective and participate in online course management activities. Technology to support various learning styles in the online environment will also be addressed.

Course objectives:

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

  1. Apply best practices in online and blended instruction.
  2. Devise strategies to promote critical thinking in online discussions and assessments.
  3. Design a rubric for an assessment.
  4. Demonstrate inclusiveness and acceptance of diverse perspectives when managing online interaction.
  5. Determine strategies based on available evidence for providing timely, constructive, and thoughtful formative and summative feedback to learners.
  6. Illustrate principles of interface design.
  7. Appraise emerging technology for use in online courses to support attainment of learning outcomes.

NURSM 713 (formerly NRPHD 725) Curriculum Development & Design

(Spring Only) – 3 s.h

This course introduces students to the theoretical foundations, essential components, and accreditation standards for curriculum development at the program level. The role of outcome competencies is addressed as they apply to the development and evaluation of an educational program to meet society’s diverse healthcare needs. Models of systematic program evaluation that incorporates accreditation or other outcome standards will be analyzed. Prerequisite: Instructional Processes

Course objectives:

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

  1. Determine an appropriate theoretical framework for developing curriculum for a select program.
  2. Use identified program outcomes, competency statements, and programmatic and accreditation standards to design curriculum.
  3. Design a curriculum as a member of a team.
  4. Determine an appropriate evaluation model to systematically collect outcome data and evaluate a curriculum at the program level over time.

NRPHD 800 Mentored Teaching

(All Semesters) - 3 s.h.

This elective course will provide students with the opportunity to work with a faculty member in order to explore the role of educator. Students will identify their learning needs and specific activities will be designed with the faculty mentor.

Requirements to take Certified Nurse Educator Exam

In addition to holding an active, unencumbered RN license, there are two requirement options to sit for the CNE exam, which are:

Option One Option Two

Education: A master’s or doctoral degree in nursing with:

1. A major emphasis in nursing education,or

2. post-master's certificate in nursing education,or

3. Nine or more credit hours of graduate level education courses*

*Examples of acceptable graduate-level education courses include:

Curriculum Development and Evaluation; Instructional Design; Principles of Adult Learning; Assessment/Measurement & Evaluation; Principles of Teaching and Learning; Instructional Technology.

NOTE: Graduate-level research or statistics coursesdo notcount toward this requirement

1. Education: A master’s or doctoral degree in nursing (with a major emphasis in a role other than nursing education).

2. Experience: Two years or more employment in a nursing program in an academic institution within the last five years.

For complete information go to the NLN Certification for Nurse Educator.