If you are a qualified nurse and want to use your expertise to train the next generation of nurses, then a Lecturer in Nursing role might be your next career move.
Applications for nursing degrees have soared since the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report by UCAS. This factor, along with the fact that nursing is now a degree profession, means universities and colleges are always looking to hire expert nursing staff to teach and inspire trainees.
What does a lecturer in nursing do?
Qualified nurses from all four nursing specialisms – adult, children, mental health and learning disability – who can help to build high-quality nursing education programmes are in high demand.
Although many nurse lecturers are involved in research activities, teaching trainee nurses is the primary focus of the role.
The duties of a nurse lecturer include:
- Teaching, learning and assessment of trainee nurses at undergraduate and postgraduate level
- Supporting learners on placement as a ‘link tutor’ in hospitals and other healthcare settings
- Module and curriculum design
- Delivering education through blended learning and simulation
- Supporting trainees as a personal tutor
- Forging strong links with employers and placement providers
Most nurse lecturer jobs are offered on a full-time, permanent basis; however, many nurse lecturers combine the role with clinical practice so their skills and registration are kept up-to-date.
As well as lecturing roles in the four nursing specialisms, you will also find more specialised teaching positions in, for example, health and social care or midwifery.
Here we look at some of the specialist lecturing roles available in nursing, the qualifications you need and opportunities for career progression.
Job Descriptions:
- Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing
- Lecturer in Midwifery
- Lecturer in Children and Young People Nursing
- Lecturer in Paramedic Science
- Lecturer in Health and Social care
Lecturer in Mental Health Nursing
As a lecturer in mental health nursing, you would teach students who have chosen mental health as their nursing specialism.
You would be responsible for finding suitable placements in mental health facilities and provide support to students during their practical training.
What qualifications and experience do you need?
You will need a first degree in nursing and active registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) as a Mental Health Nurse.
You would also need to have considerable post-qualifying clinical experience as a mental health nurse. Previous experience of teaching and mentoring is desirable.
What’s the pay?
Salaries for lecturing jobs in mental health nursing start in the range of £34,304 to £39,739.
What can it lead to?
On gaining teaching experience and further qualifications, such as a PhD, your next career move could be senior lecturer in mental health nursing.
Where can I find lecturer in mental health nursing jobs?
There is high demand for mental health professionals to use their expertise to train new staff and these roles are more widely available than lectureships in other nursing specialisms.
Find lecturer in mental health nursing jobs here
Lecturer in Midwifery
Trainee midwives are currently in high demand, as are the specialist and experienced midwives needed to teach them.
What qualifications and experience do you need?
You will need a first degree in nursing and active registration with the NMC as a midwife.
Considerable clinical experience as a midwife in a hospital environment, as well as up-to-date knowledge of current maternity technologies are also essential criteria. A recognised teaching qualification is highly desirable.
What’s the pay?
Salaries for a lecturing role in midwifery start in the range of £35,325 and £42,149.
What can it lead to?
Promotion in nurse lecturer roles depends on the quality of your teaching practice and willingness to undertake further qualifications, such as a PhD.
The next step up would be senior lecturer in midwifery or you could move into a research and policy role.
Where can I find lecturer in midwifery jobs?
Nurse lecturer roles are highly sought-after, as many are offered on a permanent basis. The busiest times for recruitment to these roles are June and July.
Find lecturer in midwifery jobs here
Lecturer in Children and Young People Nursing
Lecturers in children and young people nursing would work with a team of paediatric nursing professionals to train nurses who have chosen to specialise in this area.
What qualifications and experience do you need?
You will need a first degree in nursing and current NMC registration in Children’s Nursing. You would also need to have considerable clinical experience as a children’s nurse.
What’s the pay?
Salaries for a lecturing role in children and young people nursing start in the range of £34,304 to £39,739.
What can it lead to?
After gaining teaching and research experience, the next rung of the academic career ladder would be senior lecturer in children’s nursing, where you would lead a team of fellow lecturers.
Where can I find lecturer in children’s nursing jobs?
Jobs are available in universities across the UK, with many being advertised in the second half of the academic year.
Most roles are offered on a permanent basis and employers offer flexible working opportunities for the right candidates.
Find lecturer in children and young people nursing jobs here
Lecturer in Paramedic Science
Lecturers in Paramedic Science teach undergraduate students following a BSc in Paramedic Science. They might also contribute to ongoing research projects and clinical trials.
What qualifications and experience do you need?
You would be a qualified paramedic with a first degree in paramedic science or practice. Current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and postgraduate qualifications (or working towards) in a relevant field would be essential criteria.
You would also need to be an experienced practitioner/academic with significant clinical experience in an emergency/urgent care setting.
What’s the pay?
Salaries for lecturing jobs in paramedic science start in the range of £36,382 to £39,739.
What can it lead to?
Upon gaining further qualifications, such as a PhD in a relevant field, your next move would be senior lecturer or research associate. The quality of your teaching practice would be assessed as a condition for promotion.
Where can I find lecturer in paramedic science jobs?
Lecturers in paramedic science roles are available in universities running undergraduate degree programmes in this area, as part of their nursing offering. Therefore, narrowing down the institutions which offer paramedic science would be a good start to your search. Most positions are offered on a permanent, full-time or part-time basis.
Find lecturer in paramedic science jobs here
Lecturer in Health and Social Care
Lecturers in Health and Social care work in both higher education and Further Education (FE), such as in colleges or other vocational training settings.
They generally have a background in nursing and train students who wish to work in social care, as a care worker or therapist.
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A first degree in nursing or health and social care related discipline is essential for lecturing roles in universities.
For lecturing jobs in further education, a minimum Level 3 Health and Social Care qualification would be essential, though a degree in nursing would be highly desirable.
Previous experience of teaching, delivery and assessment at Level 3, undergraduate and postgraduate levels would also be necessary.
What’s the pay?
Salaries range from £25,186 to £35,837 in further education colleges and can be higher for health and social care lecturers in higher education.
What can it lead to?
Depending on whether you are lecturing in a university or college, the next step up would be senior lecturer (higher education) or curriculum lead (further education).
Where can I find lecturer in health and social care jobs?
Lecturers in health and social care are in high demand, particularly in FE, due to the acute need for newly-trained staff in the care sector. Most jobs are offered on a permanent, full-time basis.
If you would like to find out more about what it’s like to work in Further Education and for available jobs, visit our sister site: colleges.jobs.ac.uk
Find lecturer in health and social care jobs here
Further information:
Senior-level academic jobs in nursing
Leave a Reply