How to become a nursing instructor

$80,250 median annual pay

Half of the people in this job earn more than the median and half earn less. Pay varies with location, industry and experience.

Median pay for Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary, BLS, May 2025.

This person demonstrates and teaches patient care to nursing students in classroom and clinical units. The work covers someone who is mainly engaged in teaching as well as someone who combines teaching with research.

• Grade students' class work, lab and clinic work, assignments, and papers.
• Supervise students' laboratory and clinical work.
• Start, guide, and moderate classroom discussions.
• Assess clinical education needs and patient and client teaching needs using various methods.
• Write, give, and grade exams, or hand this work to others.
• Prepare and give lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics like pharmacology and mental health nursing.

Start with an entry exam, then add more as your role grows.

1. 1

   Entry

   For people just starting out.

   • ATI ATI TEAS TEAS exam prep 490 practice questions →
2. 2

   Intermediate

   For people with some hands-on experience.

   • NCSBN National Council Licensure Examination - NCLEX-RN NCLEX-RN exam prep 860 practice questions →
3. 3

   Advanced

   For experienced professionals moving into senior or lead roles.

   • AACN CCRN (Adult) - Direct Care Eligibility Pathway CCRN exam prep 150 practice questions →