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Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Education (MSN) Track

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Overview

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Xavier University’s online Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Education (MSN) program is designed for RNs like you who aspire to become expert nurse educators in academic or clinical settings.

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In our 37-credit online nursing program, you continue learning to serve and lead by enrolling in a broad range of courses that expand your clinical knowledge and shape your approach to teaching. With the skills, expertise and experience you gain, you graduate empowered to provide the best possible care to patients while taking on additional responsibilities and higher-level functions in the health services industry.
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Application Deadline
Fall 2026
7/1/2026
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Online Courses

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Why Xavier’s MSN – Nursing Education Degree?

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Flexible, 100% Online MSN Program

Xavier’s 100% online Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Education (MSN) program offers a flexible learning format, empowering you to earn your degree without disrupting your career. The program utilizes mostly asynchronous courses, so you don’t have set weekly classes to attend.

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Gain Advanced Nursing Expertise

From curriculum planning and development to effective teaching strategies, you grow as a professional educator and become well-trained at teaching up-and-coming nurses how to provide the best quality care.

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Prepare for Certification

Our MSN – Nursing Education Track program and the 10-credit Post-Master's Nursing Education Certificate prepare you to sit for the NCC Certified Nurse Educator exam. Additionally, our program qualifies you to sit for the Holistic Nurse Certification (HNC) examination.

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CCNE-Accredited Online MSN Program

The baccalaureate degree program in nursing, master’s degree program in nursing, post-graduate APRN certificate program, and Doctor of Nursing Practice at Xavier University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

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Advance Your Nursing Career

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Our program prepares you not only for advanced nursing practice but also for holistic patient care and leadership, all grounded in Xavier's commitment to justice and service.
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Curriculum

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Our MSN - Nursing Education program curriculum offers the essential expertise, skills and practical experience needed to excel in teaching, research and clinical practice.
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Xavier’s online MSN - Nursing Education program consists of 37 credit hours, including:

  • 18 credit hours of nursing core courses
  • 13 credit hours of nursing education courses
  • 6 credit hours of synthesis/application courses including practicums and a scholarly project
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Online MSN Core Courses

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NURS 500: Healthcare Ethics for Nursing Leaders (3 credits)
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This course examines ethical frameworks, such as theories of justice, rights-based ethics and virtue ethics and their significance to the delivery of health care. Analysis of ethical dilemmas focuses on differentiating what are called traditional and modern ethical frameworks for decision-making. Application will be made within the parameters of nursing’s metaparadigm (person, nursing, caring, healing, health, environment) using personal and professional processes of valuing, unconditional acceptance and deciding in the preservation of wholeness and dignity.
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NURS 501: Theoretical Basis for Nursing Practice (3 credits)
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Introduction to the role of theory in knowledge development and its relationship to nursing research, practice, and administration. Critical analysis of selected theoretical models within the discipline of nursing and of theories and concepts from other disciplines as used in nursing. Concepts related to the application of the theoretical concepts in providing holistic care are explored. Examination of the application models, theories and concepts in nursing practice, administration, and research.
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NURS 502: Nursing Research (3 credits)
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Exploration of modes of inquiry for systematic study of the application, use and evaluation of nursing innovations in clinical practice. Emphasis is placed on the identification and solution of clinical problems through scientific inquiry. Research is examined for evidence-based practices which include a critical review of research studies, nurse’s expertise and patient/family preferences. Discussion entails the importance of dissemination of research findings.
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NURS 505: Healthcare Informatics (3 credits)
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This course is designed to facilitate the acquisition of knowledge essential for the master’s prepared holistic nurse working in complex interprofessional technological healthcare systems. This course addresses basic computer and information management competencies. The student will also learn to manage and use healthcare data in decision making. Legal, ethical, and practical ramifications of information technology in healthcare are examined. The major focus in this course is the management of information that supports improving health outcomes.
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NURS 754: Leadership and Management Concepts for Nurse Leaders (3 credits)
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This course focuses on leadership and management concepts that are essential for holistic nurse leaders at various levels throughout the healthcare organization. The focus is to prepare holistic nurse leaders for collaborative practice in complex healthcare organizations through examination and application of effective leader behaviors.
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NURS 864: Epidemiologic Methods in Healthcare (3 credits)
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Principles and biostatistical methods used in the study of the distribution and determinants of injury and disease through the interaction of environment and genetics in human populations (HP2020) are presented for use in the holistic development, implementation, and evaluation of primary, secondary and tertiary preventive and acute health care services in a variety of settings. Resources for epidemiological investigations within organizations and communities are introduced. Opportunities are provided to use the epidemiological and biostatistical methods of reasoning for determining causal inferences about the distribution and determinants of injury and disease (HP2020). Evidence-based innovative and evaluative health care delivery plans for clinical prevention and population health are developed using epidemiological and biostatistical data.
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Online MSN – Nursing Education Track Courses

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NURS 580: Patho Pharm & Assess Nurse Education (3 credits)
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This course prepares nurse educators by integrating advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, and holistic health assessment across the lifespan. Building on basic knowledge, the curriculum focuses on the master's-prepared nurse's role in pharmacotherapeutics, covering advanced drug mechanisms, interactions, and adverse reactions. Students learn to use advanced pathophysiology for clinical problem-solving, predicting illness progression, and guiding holistic patient and family teaching for various health issues. Furthermore, the course teaches students to conduct, analyze, and document comprehensive assessments, identifying pertinent health issues (including cultural and environmental factors), and defining evidence-based preventative and maintenance strategies.
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NURS 660: Development of the Adult Learner in Health Care (3 credits)
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This course provides a framework for facilitating learning and understanding the adult learner within academia and the healthcare environment. It explores theoretical foundations, principles for teaching/learning, factors that impact readiness to learn, tips for online teaching and how to create learning objectives.
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NURS 664: Teaching Strategies (2 credits)
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This course provides the student with information concerning the selection and utilization of pertinent teaching strategies that can be used with adult learners pursuing knowledge within the healthcare environment. The student will obtain knowledge concerning how these teaching strategies can be used in this endeavor as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. Selection of appropriate teaching strategies will be explored in relation to learning styles and information to be presented. Evaluation means to ascertain the effectiveness of each strategy will also be presented.
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NURS 670: Curriculum Assessment, Planning, Development, and Evaluation (3 credits)
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This course provides the student with the necessary information needed to pursue the nurse educator role. After completion of this course, the student will be able to function as either an academic nursing faculty member or a corporate/staff nurse educator. Roles and responsibilities of nurse educators will be addressed. These responsibilities include teaching; service; scholarship; curriculum planning; curriculum/educational offering development; maintaining records; mentoring; student advising; student accommodation; application for continuing education; implementing and educational offering/didactic content; test development; and evaluation of educational offerings, students/staff, courses and programs. Prerequisites: NURS664 and NURS660
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NURS 690: Healthcare Policy for Nursing Leaders (2 credits)
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This course provides an overview of health care policy, including formulating and analyzing policy at the institutional, local, state, federal, and global levels. Issues regarding the nursing work environment as well as social determinants and healthcare delivery/ regulations will be discussed. The influence of socio-cultural, economic, political, ethical, legal, and historical context on nursing and health care policy will be explored. The role of the master’s prepared holistic nurse in health policy decisions in the public and private sectors will be explicated.
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Online Synthesis and Application Courses

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NURS 703: Graduate Nursing Practicum I (2 credits)
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This course is designed for synthesis and application of theory and principles from all previous courses, with particular emphasis in the designated track: education or forensics. Individually modified course objectives, supervised experiences, periodic seminar discussions, and written practicum logs are methods used to facilitate the learning experience.
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NURS 705: Graduate Nursing Practicum II (2 credits)
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This course is designed for synthesis and application of theory and principles from all previous courses, with particular emphasis in the designated track: education or forensics. Individually modified course objectives, supervised experiences, periodic seminar discussions, and written practicum logs are methods used to facilitate the learning experience.
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NURS 797: Scholarly Project (2 credits)
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This course is the development of a scholarly project that addresses a phenomenon, issue, or problem related to the discipline of nursing. A variety of options are available to demonstrate the comprehensive and scholarly nature of the final product. The following options are possibilities, but the student is not limited to these for the scholarly project: conducting a research study; developing a concept analysis paper; providing an innovative solution to care delivery, an administrative, advanced practice, educational, healthcare law, forensics, informatics issue or opportunity; developing a creative potentially fundable, health-related proposal; or developing a business or educational proposal. This capstone project is a synthesis and integration of all previous graduate coursework.
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Admission

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Xavier accepts applications to our MSN programs on a rolling basis. Once admitted into the program, you may start online classes in the fall or spring semesters.

Application Deadline: July 1, 2026
Start: Fall 2026

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Admission Requirements
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To receive acceptance into the online MSN - Nursing Education program, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a registered nurse with an unencumbered United States RN license in the state where practicum experiences are to be completed. A minimum of 1 year of nursing experience is required, a strong candidate will have a minimum of 2 years of nursing experience.
  • Hold a BSN and be a graduate of an accredited college or university’s nursing program (the College of Nursing will verify accreditation to ensure it meets requirements). Transfer credits are accepted only from regionally accredited institutions.
  • An undergraduate statistics course with a grade of C or better is required for admission.
  • Applicants who do not have a BSN (BS in Nursing) cannot be accepted into the online MSN programs but should consider the MSN direct entry as a second degree – MIDAS Program.
  • A strong applicant will have a 3.0 GPA.
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Application Materials
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  • Free Online Application
  • Official Transcript
    • One official transcript directly from all colleges or universities that you have attended for any undergraduate and graduate course work. Applicants must have a degree from a regionally accredited university. Send transcripts to:
      • Xavier University
        ATTN: Admission Processing Center
        3800 Victory Parkway
        Cincinnati, OH 45207-5131
      • For electronic transcripts, send to:
        xuadmit@xavier.edu
  • Current Resume and Personal Essay
    • Current résumé or curriculum vitae outlining all professional nursing experience, including facility/organization name & location, position and employment dates.
    • A 3-page goal statement that addresses the following points:
      • Why are you applying to Xavier University?
      • What MSN track are you applying for and why? How do you plan to use the degree and specialty?
      • What experiences have prepared you for graduate study? (or have influenced your desire to pursue graduate studies)
      • Graduate school is challenging and a large time commitment, especially with working, family, other responsibilities. What are your plans and strategies for being successful in your graduate program?
      • We also consider the writing quality of this essay. If writing is a challenge for you, also address strategies to help you in this area.
  • Professional References
    • Three professional recommendations, (Please provide contact information for recommenders in the online application. An electronic form will be sent via email). A strong candidate will provide:
      • At least one reference from a direct manager or supervisor who evaluates their clinical work.
      • Two references will be from someone with a masters or doctoral degree.

Applicants are encouraged to submit completed applications in a timely manner to allow for review and processing.

Applications are processed immediately upon receiving all required materials.

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State Authorization
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Due to state regulations regarding the delivery of distance education, as well as requirements of each individual state board of nursing, Xavier is not currently able to accept applications from all states into all of its online programs.

View the complete list of approved states on the State Authorization page.
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International Admission
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Xavier welcomes students from outside the United States to enroll in its online programs. However, some countries do not formally recognize foreign online degrees. This may have implications for enrolling in subsequent degree programs or for securing employment requiring these credentials. It is students’ responsibility to determine whether the online degree will be recognized in their country of residence or in any country in which they plan to work.

Additionally, students should inquire in their country of residence how the collection of student data may be used and whether they will be subject to additional withholding taxes in addition to the cost of tuition.

  • All international students are strongly encouraged to submit an official third-party course-by-course evaluation of their high school and/or college transcripts from an international credential evaluation service accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
  • International students must pass either the TOEFL or IELTS exam if English is your second language.
  • International students may have additional application requirements. Find more information on the International Admission page.

Note: International students in the U.S. cannot enroll in an online degree program to fulfill the legal requirement for an F-1 or J-1 visa.

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Tuition and Fees

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Get More from Your Graduate Education with Xavier

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At Xavier, we understand that no two graduate programs and no two students are alike. Therefore, we structure every online degree and certificate program to address the unique needs of individual students and have created unique fee structures for each program as well.
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Tuition

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MSN: $739
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Fees

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  • Liability Insurance (per semester with practicum): $18
  • Student ID Fee: $15
  • Graduate Student Association Fee, degree-seeking full-time: $15 (per semester)
  • Graduate Student Association Fee, degree-seeking part-time: $10 (per semester)

Full-time students can complete the program in as few as 7 semesters.

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The amounts listed are for the 2026-2027 academic year, and include classes from Fall 2026 through Summer 2027. Tuition cost is per credit hour unless otherwise stated. For the full, official listing, please visit xavier.edu/costs.
Xavier University reserves the right to correct any computational or clerical errors.
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Testimonials

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Hear From Our MSN Students

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“I was able to work full time, manage a family, and have a life outside of school while taking classes online for my master’s in nursing education. I loved that my professors cared for me as a student but also as a peer.”
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Xavier University MSN – Nursing Education Graduate
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“One of the best things about the program is the practicum experiences. You’re really diving in and getting that hands-on experience. My master’s degree from Xavier gave me the confidence and competence as a nurse educator.”
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Xavier University MSN – Nursing Education Graduate
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“My mentors, as well as my peers, genuinely cared about my success. I learned the skills necessary to transform my career, and even after I left, the Xavier community has still been there for me, to answer questions or give advice.”
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Xavier University MSN – Nursing Education Graduate
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Faculty Spotlight
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Terri Enslein, EdD, MSN, RNC-OB, CNE

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Enslein's dedication to her students, combined with Xavier's innovative curriculum and strong community partnerships, prepares graduates for successful careers in the ever-evolving field of nursing.
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Holistic Nursing Certification

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At Xavier, we’re proud to have our MSN program as one of only 17 online programs in the U.S. to be endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC).
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Frequently Asked Questions

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Is Xavier’s online MSN - Nursing Education accredited?
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Xavier’s online MSN is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the premier accrediting agency for baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs. The Ohio Board of Nursing (OBN) has also approved the program.

Our prestigious accreditations guarantee that you receive a graduate education grounded in strong pedagogical principles and a rigorous curriculum, equipping you to provide top-tier education to your learners.

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Will my MSN degree say "online?"
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No, Xavier awards the MSN based on your ability to meet coursework standards, regardless of course delivery mode. Whether your program is in person or online, you earn a Master of Science in Nursing degree.
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Will students be expected to participate at a specific time during this course?
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Participation expectations vary by professor. Courses are asynchronous with no set meeting times; however, practicum and scholarly project courses may include an online synchronous session (at the discretion of the instructor) at the end of the semester for student sharing/collaboration purposes. The nursing administration and faculty in this program understand the importance of flexibility for working professionals.
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Does this MSN program offer state nursing licensure?
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None of the graduate nursing programs offered here include nursing licensure. RN licensure is a prerequisite for admission to these programs.
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Does the education track require any practicum experiences?
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The education track of the MSN program helps you prepare by requiring two practicum experiences via NURS 703 and 705. Each course requires 90 hours of practicum. You are responsible for finding your own preceptors, and preceptor approval is required from the course faculty. Faculty advisors will help in locating and securing a practicum preceptor as needed.
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How long is the online MSN in Nursing Education program? Is it possible to attend part-time?
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The full time online MSN - Nursing Education program is 28 months. It is possible to attend part-time.
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What careers are available for nurse educators?
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With the continual growth of the healthcare industry, there is always a steady demand for MSN-educated nurses with a strong pedagogical skill set. They play a vital role in teaching aspiring nurses how to enter the workforce and provide quality patient care and in the continuing education of working nurses.

With your advanced training in nursing education, you can pursue career paths as a:

  • Clinical instructor
  • Continuing education provider
  • Educational nursing care consultant
  • Nurse educator
  • Staff educator

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for nursing instructors and teachers is $80,780, more than double the national average.

This average salary can vary based on the specific subfield, state of employment and level of experience. It is also important to factor in possible local nursing shortages and shortages of other health professionals in different areas when looking at possible salaries.

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Online MSN - Education Track Program at Xavier University

Inspire the Next Generation of Nurses — Earn Your MSN Degree in Nursing Education Online. In Xavier University’s online Master of Science in Nursing Education track, you undergo an intensive graduate education that spurs new clinical skill acquisition and growth as a nurse and educator. Graduate career-ready and make a lasting impact on aspiring nurses.

Xavier University’s College of Nursing prepares undergraduate and graduate students as professional nurses to meet the needs of diverse populations in an ever-changing, highly technical health-care environment. Graduates have the skills to practice nursing today and to be nurse leaders tomorrow in holistic health-care delivery with an educational foundation grounded in Jesuit values. Our graduates are well-respected in the health-care community as knowledgeable, professional, and ethical and prepared to excel in meeting challenges in health-care delivery. Xavier’s Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation.

Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."

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