Courtney Kammer Chief Human Resources Officer | Rush University Medical Center
Courtney Kammer Chief Human Resources Officer | Rush University Medical Center
Rush University College of Nursing has introduced a new Nurse Educator Certificate (NEC) program aimed at addressing the growing shortage of nurse educators. The program is designed to equip experienced nurses with the necessary skills and tools to transition into teaching roles within both academic and practice-based environments.
The NEC program comprises five courses totaling 12 credit hours, focusing on developing competencies for nurse educators as outlined by the National League for Nursing. These courses include Paradigms for Teaching and Learning, Student Learning and Evaluation, Curriculum Design and Evaluation, Growing in the Nurse Educator Role, and a one-credit practicum called Nurse Educator Praxis.
Frank D. Hicks, PhD, RN, associate dean for academic programs and affairs, highlighted the urgent need for such a program due to an aging nursing faculty workforce nearing retirement. "A significant number of nursing faculty are nearing retirement," he stated. "Our profession isn’t doing enough to ensure there is a robust pipeline of future educators."
Jennifer B. Rousseau, DNP, CNE, director of the NEC program, emphasized that the certificate provides nurses with advanced practice or research backgrounds an opportunity to develop essential educator skills. "That’s why we created this certificate," she explained. "It allows nurses whose graduate work focused on advanced practice or research to build essential educator skills."
The curriculum emphasizes culturally responsive pedagogy and health equity principles. Hicks noted that self-awareness among educators is crucial: "We start by helping educators explore their own cultural identities." Rousseau added that students learn strategies grounded in universal design for learning: "We also integrate topics like social determinants of learning."
Rousseau further described how earning this certificate can enhance career trajectories beyond direct patient care: "Earning this certificate demonstrates a nurse’s expertise and commitment to the specialty of education." Hicks added that graduates will be prepared not only for teaching but also leadership roles: "Graduates can apply their knowledge in curriculum development."
Applications are currently open for fall 2025 enrollment.
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