SWAU Launches New Nursing Educator Certificate
The Department of Nursing at Southwestern Adventist University (SWAU) has launched a new certificate for graduate nurses to become certified educators. This certificate provides essential tools for registered nurses to transition into formal educator roles within both academic institutions and clinical practice settings. The efficient, flexible program consists of three to four eight-week courses and can be completed in as little as 11 months.
Admission to the Graduate Nurse Educator Certificate program follows the standard MSN admission protocol. Prospective students must submit a formal application, a current résumé, and a letter of intent, along with two letters of professional recommendation. With the application, all students declare their intended track: the MSN-prepared RN Certificate or the BSN-prepared RN Certificate.
The curriculum is designed to provide foundational expertise in pedagogical theory and curriculum design. The MSN-prepared RN track, for nurses who already have a master's degree, focuses on teaching and learning theories while preparing nurses for classroom instruction, clinical education roles, and staff development. The BSN-prepared RN track, for nurses who have a bachelor's degree, provides expertise in their current practice, serving as a strategic introduction to graduate-level study.
“This is such an exciting opportunity for multiple reasons,” shares Terri Gibson, Ph.D., director of the MSN program. “We need nurse educators, and we have a great program designed to build competence and confidence in teaching, whether in the classroom or as a clinical instructor within a health care facility. We can help nurses process the expertise they’ve gathered through their work experience and translate that into becoming a teacher who can provide practical, enriching, and life-changing educational instruction.”
Students who successfully complete the certificate remain eligible to transition into the full MSN Education degree program. Students will take the certificate program online and will have access to important academic support services, including library and learning resources.
