Nursing lecturer
Also known as: nursing lector, higher education nursing teacher, nursing docent, university nursing instructor, nursing professor, nursing sciences lector
About this occupation
Nursing lecturers are subject professors, teachers, or lecturers, and often doctors who instruct students who have obtained an upper secondary education diploma in their own specialised field of study, nursing, which is predominantly academic in nature. They work with their university research assistants and university teaching assistants for the preparation of lectures and of exams, for grading papers and exams, for leading laboratory practices, and for leading review and feedback sessions for the students. They also conduct academic research in their respective field of nursing, publish their findings and liaise with other university colleagues.
A specialisation of higher education lecturer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- develop curriculum
- liaise with educational support staff
- nursing science
- assist students with equipment
- assessment processes
- give constructive feedback
- provide lesson materials
- apply teaching strategies
- acute care
- demonstrate when teaching
- human anatomy
- assist students in their learning
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary (O*NET 25-1072.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, laboratory and clinic work, assignments, and papers.
- Supervise students' laboratory and clinical work.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Assess clinical education needs and patient and client teaching needs using a variety of methods.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students on topics such as pharmacology, mental health nursing, and community health care practices.
- Typical education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Investigative, Artistic
Top skills: Instructing, Speaking, Learning Strategies, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing
US median pay: US$80,250 a year (2025), 77,960 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyVery important (4.5)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.4)
- BiologyO*NET: BiologyVery important (4.1)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.9)
- SociologyO*NET: Sociology and AnthropologyVery important (3.7)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.6)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaImportant (3.2)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
- Clinical Nurse Specialists
- Health Education Specialists
- Registered Nurses
- Health Informatics Specialists
- Nurse Practitioners
- Acute Care Nurses
- Critical Care Nurses
- Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.