UW Trying To Ease Nursing Educator Shortage

Nursing shortages have hit a lot of medical facilities in many places, but the University of Wyoming says part of the problem is that there’s not enough educators to get nurses ready for a career in health care.

Lately, the University has been trying to address that situation.

Earlier this month the UW School of Nursing online Master of Science program, graduated 25 students during winter commencement.

Before the pandemic the typical number of graduates per semester was about 10-15.

A School of Nursing spokes-person says the masters program is for nurses who want to become nurse educators or leaders in any academic or health-related setting.

Nurse educators help nursing students better prepare and understand how to meet unexpected and unforeseen challenges in health care.

Additionally, there is a nationwide shortage of nurse educators, which complicates preparing new nurses for the workplace.

Graduates are equipped to move into administrative roles in their workplace and can better explore ways to improve medical workplace environments, so that nurses can focus on professional self-care and avoid burnout.

Of the 25 recent on-line graduates, 20 of them reside in Wyoming.