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Job outlook for clinical instructors in the United States
Clinical instructor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected clinical instructor job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 159,400 new jobs for clinical instructors are projected over the next decade.
Clinical instructor salaries have increased 9% for clinical instructors in the last 5 years.
There are over 46,918 clinical instructors currently employed in the United States.
There are 87,152 active clinical instructor job openings in the US.
The average clinical instructor salary is $84,613.
Are clinical instructor jobs in demand?
Clinical instructor job and salary trends over time
Clinical instructor jobs over time
Clinical instructor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 46,918 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 42,120 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 41,141 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 38,404 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 38,315 | 0.01% |
Average clinical instructor salary over time
Clinical instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $84,613 | $40.68 | +1.2% |
| 2024 | $83,638 | $40.21 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $82,394 | $39.61 | +3.1% |
| 2022 | $79,893 | $38.41 | +3.1% |
| 2021 | $77,505 | $37.26 | +2.4% |
Clinical instructor jobs by state
Most common states for clinical instructors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 205 | 30% |
| 2 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 203 | 19% |
| 3 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 147 | 19% |
| 4 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 737 | 18% |
| 5 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 957 | 17% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 179 | 17% |
| 7 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,348 | 16% |
| 8 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 219 | 16% |
| 9 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 141 | 16% |
| 10 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,538 | 15% |
| 11 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,317 | 15% |
| 12 | Delaware | 961,939 | 144 | 15% |
| 13 | Vermont | 623,657 | 91 | 15% |
| 14 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 825 | 14% |
| 15 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 785 | 14% |
| 16 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 83 | 14% |
| 17 | California | 39,536,653 | 5,235 | 13% |
| 18 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,331 | 13% |
| 19 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 405 | 13% |
| 20 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 395 | 13% |
Most common cities for clinical instructors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parker | 10 | 20% | $84,971 |
| 2 | Littleton | 6 | 13% | $85,018 |
| 3 | Arvada | 10 | 9% | $85,006 |
| 4 | Aurora | 18 | 5% | $84,939 |
| 5 | Lakewood | 8 | 5% | $85,012 |
| 6 | Centennial | 4 | 4% | $84,975 |
| 7 | Union City | 2 | 3% | $117,862 |
| 8 | Denver | 12 | 2% | $84,960 |
| 9 | Cambridge | 2 | 2% | $104,173 |
| 10 | Tuscaloosa | 2 | 2% | $68,202 |
| 11 | Dublin | 1 | 2% | $117,775 |
| 12 | Baltimore | 5 | 1% | $94,622 |
| 13 | Urban Honolulu | 3 | 1% | $75,957 |
| 14 | Garden Grove | 1 | 1% | $107,313 |
| 15 | Mobile | 1 | 1% | $68,597 |
| 16 | Los Angeles | 3 | 0% | $108,461 |
| 17 | Fresno | 1 | 0% | $114,611 |
Clinical Instructor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of clinical instructor experts
Nicholls State University
Loyola University Maryland
Saint Xavier University
Bethune-Cookman University
Utah Valley University
The University of Rhode Island
Stephen F. Austin State University
Oakland University
Southwestern Adventist University
University of Cincinnati
NCOPE
University of Central Missouri
Eastern Kentucky University
Texas A&M University
Minnesota State University - Mankato
Dr. Raquel Engolio
Assistant Professor, Department Head for NursingNicholls State University
Nursing Department
What skills stand out on Clinical Instructor resumes?
Dr. Raquel Engolio: Expertise and clinical experience are skills that will stand out for a clinical nursing instructor. Certifications in a respective specialty and advanced nursing degrees help to confirm that experience. Clinical experience in the acute setting is very valuable for clinical nursing instructors. Participating in a preceptorship, mentoring undergraduate students, and orienting new nursing graduates are skills that help clinical instructors stand out.
What soft skills should all Clinical Instructors possess?
Dr. Raquel Engolio: Communication and teamwork. Clear communication as a clinical nurse educator is critical. Clinical instructors will supervise students in a complex, fast-paced clinical environment. This requires clear, timely, and professional communication. In respect to teamwork, clinical nursing instructors can expect to work with a team of course faculty in the classroom, lab, and clinical setting. During clinical, instructors work with the staff nurses and healthcare team. It is vital for clinical instructors to maintain positive group dynamics. Students, staff, and patients will often reach out and seek instructors who convey approachability, warmth, and competency in the clinical setting.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Clinical Instructors?
Dr. Raquel Engolio: Writing, assessment, and application of the nursing process in the clinical setting are important technical skills. Clinical instructors will lead nursing students and teach safe nursing care during the clinical experience. An advanced understanding of assessment, best practices for safe patient care, and applying safe clinical judgment in the health care setting are most important.
What skills will help Clinical Instructors earn the most?
Dr. Raquel Engolio: Writing and professional presentation skills. Experience with publications, participation in nursing research, and years of experience in nursing education will help nursing instructors earn a more competitive salary. Publishing in peer-reviewed journals, participating in nursing research, and presenting information at events like a national conference will make clinical instructors more marketable. In addition, the attainment of advanced practice degrees and terminal degrees will improve a nurse educator's salary. These skills and qualifications require expertise in nursing and highlight a commitment to the profession and nursing education.
Monique C. Yates
Clinical FacultyLoyola University Maryland
Teacher Education
What soft skills should all Clinical Instructors possess?
Monique C. Yates: -Flexibility,
-Effective collaboration with diverse populations, including students, parents, and staff members,
-Being a team player (this seems like collaboration, but it includes a willingness to go the extra mile to support students.
-Adaptability (Being open and able to learn new things quickly)
-Creativity (being able to teach in new ways, using new materials)
-Inclusivity (speaking in an inclusive matter that welcomes diverse groups). I could call this have a global perspective
What hard/technical skills are most important for Clinical Instructors?
Monique C. Yates: -Knowledge of the content,
-Knowledge of special education law
-Data collection and analysis (to interpret and report the effectiveness of interventions)
-Effective Documentation
-A variety of assessment strategies to determine progress.
What skills will help Clinical Instructors earn the most?
Monique C. Yates: In the public sector, salaries are determined and not subject to negotiation.
What technical skills for a Clinical Instructor stand out to employers?
Michele Poradzisz Ph.D.: Employers of new nurses typically are more interested in thinking skills rather than technical skills. Nurses must be able to apply critical thinking skills to clinical situations. Nurses are constantly called upon to problem-solve, troubleshoot and make clinical decisions under changing conditions. The faculty of the BSN program at Saint Xavier University have developed a curriculum that focuses on important concepts that apply across the lifespan and health care settings. These concepts cover a spectrum that ranges from physiological to psychological and social. Nursing students learn to apply these concepts in the classroom, lab and clinical practicum through case studies, simulated clinical situations and direct patient care. Through these activities, nursing students learn how to "think like a nurse." They have a foundation to build on as they gain practical experience in the work setting.
Employers also seek nurses who have good assessment skills. Assessment is always the starting point for nursing action and involves specific skills such as listening to heart and lung sounds, but even more importantly, assessment requires skill in therapeutic communication techniques, which are used to determine the patient's history and perceptions of their current health-related problems. In Saint Xavier's BSN program, sophomore students learn basic assessment skills that focus on a holistic approach to assessment and application to people of all ages. Students hone these skills during their clinical practicum and lab experiences in junior and senior years.
Because technology is always changing, nurses must be able to continually adapt to new equipment, computer software, and procedures. Employers know that a new nurse will not be familiar with everything, and therefore orientation to an agency always includes the policies and procedures, equipment, electronic medical record and other computer software programs used in that setting. But characteristics such as flexibility, resiliency, adaptability and compassion are key to the nurse's success. Compassion is one of Saint Xavier's core values, and our curriculum embodies the service-focused mission laid by our Sisters of Mercy so that our nurses are able to provide exemplary care.
Sameh Ghareeb
Assistant ProfessorBethune-Cookman University
L. Gale Lemerand School of Nursing
What technical skills for a Clinical Instructor stand out to employers?
Sameh Ghareeb: As hospitals had to hire more nurses, it was a challenge for employers to educate new nurses on the hospitals' documentation systems and hospital policies in a very short period. Orientation for new nurses usually takes at least a week. Because of the pandemic, educators in hospitals had to shorten orientations to be done within 1-2 days, which is a huge challenge.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Clinical Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Sameh Ghareeb: Two of the biggest trends in nursing jobs because of the pandemic are overtime hours and the outburst of travel nursing jobs.
The increase of numbers of admitting patients to the hospital has significantly increased the need of nurses. This made hospitals request nurses to work additional shifts, in which many nurses worked 48-60 hrs/wk.
In addition, the need for nurses, pushed hospitals to hire more nurses. But as there is a shortage in nursing, nursing travel agency work outbursts.
How have salaries changed over time for Clinical Instructors?
Francine Jensen: Salaries are often tied to the region where you work, so think carefully about where you decide to practice. Working night shifts and weekends will net you a dollar or two more an hour. One useful strategy to grow your wage is to regularly change your employment situation and negotiate your starting salary. Additionally, once you are in advanced roles in nursing, your salary will increase, so consider when the best time is to go back to school.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Clinical Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Barbara Wolfe Ph.D.: The need for RNs and advanced practice nurses (APRNs) is in great demand. Based on data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of registered nurses (RNs) is expected to increase by 7% and the need for nurse practitioners and other APRNs is expected to increase by 45% in the next eight or so years.
There is a significant need for nursing faculty. Currently there is a national nurse faculty vacancy rate of > 7%. This will, no doubt, increase given the projected swell of retirements by 2025-as much as a third of the current faculty workforce. Thus, we will see an increase need for doctoral education to prepare these individuals for this career path.
What technical skills for a Clinical Instructor stand out to employers?
Barbara Wolfe Ph.D.: Health care is rapidly changing, and the pandemic has contributed to some of these changes (e.g., the use of telehealth). Employers are looking for nurses who are able to adapt, innovate, and apply not only their technical skills, but also their knowledge and critical thinking to a variety of settings--particularly since most of health care is delivered in non-hospital environments.
Shannon Darst Ph.D.
Program Facilitator & Assistant ProfessorStephen F. Austin State University
Perkins College of Education
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Clinical Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Shannon Darst Ph.D.: In the field of higher education, which includes both tenure-track and non-tenure-track/clinical faculty, we are seeing a trend toward more distance delivery of university courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. This trend existed before restrictions related to COVID were put into place at face-to-face universities, but quarantining and other COVID-related restrictions have pushed most, if not all universities, toward offering more and more courses at a distance. This has created a need for faculty members who are well-versed in creating online courses in various course delivery platforms and in delivering lectures and course discussions in both a synchronous and asynchronous environment while keeping rigor and course standards intact.
At our particular university in Texas, we are also noting that more students are looking to decrease tuition costs, so they are seeking educational options like community colleges or trade schools before starting coursework at the university level. This has created a need for more clinical instructors and adjunct faculty in community colleges and trade schools.
In the field of visual impairment (areas of expertise include Teacher of Students with Visual Impairment, Teacher of Students who are Deafblind, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Low Vision Therapist, Vocational Rehabilitation Therapist, Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist), trends toward more effective service delivery at a distance has come to the forefront due to restrictions related to COVID. This means that Clinical Instructors in the field of visual impairment have to become more adept at creating new methods and strategies of delivering services in a distance model. This requires some training in use of technology and training others to use technology in order to deliver lessons effectively and efficiently.
Also, a national push to provide more inclusive and effective training for those individuals who are Deafblind is on the horizon as one of the field's major focus areas. This means that more Clinical Instructors are going to be needed to address the increase in enrollment in training programs that provide educator personnel preparation for future Teachers of Students who are Deafblind.
What technical skills for a Clinical Instructor stand out to employers?
Shannon Darst Ph.D.: Technology skills are of the highest priority to employers in the field of higher education. Ranking close to technology in regard to employer priorities are those "soft skills" like flexibility, relatability, effective communication skills (both expressive and reception), adaptability, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Although these may not be considered true technical skills, these are the skills that can make the difference between an acceptable candidate and a preferred candidate. Candidates who can find a "win-win" solution in any challenging situation will be the candidate who will catch the eye of university employers.
How have salaries changed over time for Clinical Instructors?
Shannon Darst Ph.D.: The answer to this question depends on area of expertise and location of the hiring university. If one is seeking a Clinical Instructor position in a field like medicine, technology, or business, for example, salaries have continued to increase with the need for more professionals in these areas. If one is seeking a Clinical Instructor in a field like education, on the other hand, salaries have mostly remained steady and plateaued at a median salary when compared to other fields, especially in certain parts of the country. I have been in the field of visual impairment, and one trend I noticed in my state is that many teachers who work in public school districts earn higher salaries than some university clinical instructors. This has made for some very interesting dynamics in the world of higher education, as many qualified Clinical Instructors in the field of education may seek a traditional teaching position rather than teaching at a university solely because universities are tending to offer less in terms in salaries to those in the field of education than other fields.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Clinical Instructors?
Julie Kruse Ph.D.: In terms of certifications, this really depends on the type of nursing that you are interested in specializing in. For telehealth nursing there is not a specific certification; however, many nurses who work in telehealth have certifications in Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN, 2021) which has the broad scope of knowledge necessary for this field. In terms of mental health nursing, obtaining licensure as a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner will allow you to provide mental health care services to children, adults, families, groups, and communities. The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (2021) has a website that offers additional information about careers in this field of nursing.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Clinical Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Julie Kruse Ph.D.: There are several areas in nursing that will most likely see an increase due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
1) Telehealth Nursing: Telehealth has been defined as the sharing of heath information by patients and providers either synchronously or asynchronously using a telephone, videophone, or biometric monitoring unit (Bowles et al, 2012; Radhakrishnan et al, 2016). The COVID-19 pandemic has stimulated growth in the area of telehealth and some researchers have estimated that over 30% of outpatient visits were conducted by telehealth in 2020.
The American Hospital Association reported that the number of hospitals either partially or fully implementing telehealth grew from 35% in 2010 to 76% in 2017. The compounded annual growth of telehealth is projected to grow over 28% from 2019 - 2025 according to an Arizton Market Report.
Even though the COVID-19 pandemic stimulated a spike in the growth of telehealth, this area of health care has been rapidly expanding over the past decade. Telehealth has been used with success in managing patients with heart disease, diabetes, COPD, and chronic wounds. Additionally, there will be a need for telehealth services to treat mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression as well as providing public health outreach to women, infants, and children.
2) Nursing in Outpatient and Community Settings: There will continue to be a shift from nursing care in hospital settings to community and outpatient settings.
3) Mental Health and Wellness: There will be a continued and increased need for mental health and wellness services. In a recent national study by Ettman et al. (2020), it was reported that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a 3-fold increase in the number of people who reported depressive symptoms. This increase in depressive and anxiety symptoms from the pandemic is further supported by the Kaiser Family Foundation who report that 11% of adults reported anxiety and depressive symptoms from January-June of 2019 versus 41.1% in January of 2021. The demand for nurses in this field will continue to expand as the number of people who experience mental health and substance misuse conditions continues to outpace the number of nurses and clinicians who can provide care.
What technical skills for a Clinical Instructor stand out to employers?
Dr. Terri Gibson: We have learned that prospective employers really appreciate when students have worked at the bedside. This includes as a nurse technician. In particular, they appreciate students who have spent full shifts working along an RN in a care delivery setting. We call this the Nursing Capstone Clinical, which is usually offered a student's final semester of nursing school. Not only do employers know that students have been able to show up on time and meet the demands of a 12-hour shift and all the care that is implemented during those hours, students also highly value the experience. They feel that now they have a better sense of what to expect. They've also benefited from the wisdom of their preceptor, particularly when unusual incidents come up that would not have been addressed in nursing school. The RN preceptors we have worked with have been awesome role models in this regard.
Other skills would be personal presence and patient support/communication. I do mock interviews for my senior nursing students and I receive great feedback from both students and the leader volunteers from local healthcare organizations that conduct the interviews for me through this Leadership Class activity. The students appreciate that they have a better sense of what to expect in an interview. The interviewers seem to appreciate those students who can step up and engage fully in the interview, identifying their strengths, ability to communicate and show that they care and have a passion for patient care.
It seems many employers need something that catches their attention from the myriad number of applicants and limited jobs they have to offer a new grad. Volunteerism, leadership opportunities and participation in special nursing-related projects seems to provide an extra boost to those students who show their enthusiasm and competence for nursing in this way.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Clinical Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Terri Gibson: From what I read from nursing organizations and journal literature, big trends include the following:
-Wages seem to be increasing, even slightly for nurses providing direct care at the bedside. There continues to be a need for well-prepared nurses to work in acute care hospitals. With elevated rates of burnout among nurses, students need to be prepared to work under stressful conditions. For me as an educator, it means I have spent time encouraging and supporting the care they give themselves. We've worked on assessments and teaching-learning activities so they are aware that when they are healthy-physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, they can provide safer, better quality patient care. We spend some time learning ways to optimize their well-being through attention to stress management, good nutrition, regular exercise, healthy relationships, and spiritual renewal.
-Another trend is to bring students into the working environment as techs to take care of patients in the hospital or under the auspices of an RN license to assist with Covid vaccine administration. From my experience, students want to participate in care delivery now, so they have some preparation for what their future holds once they have their license and start into their first position as a nurse.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Clinical Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Ilya Vilinsky Ph.D.: Most neuroscience bachelor’s students are interested in health care in some form. Given the pandemic, I expect to see even more interest in the field. Traditionally, neuroscience (and biological sciences in general) grads were primarily interested in becoming medical doctors, but we are seeing more students go into related fields such as nursing, physician assistant, or anesthesia assistant. Outside of health care, neuroscience grads tend to work at biotech and pharmaceutical companies.
One of the biggest trends in neuroscience-related jobs is the incorporation of big data and machine learning into neuroscience research. These methods are not only useful to basic research but are applicable to a wide variety of fields.
What skills stand out on Clinical Instructor resumes?
Ilya Vilinsky Ph.D.: On a resume, items that stand out are quantitative skills (e.g., statistics, coding, analysis). Research experience is always a plus as well.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Clinical Instructors to find work opportunities?
Ilya Vilinsky Ph.D.: Most jobs are in large metro areas. For neuroscience, there are the traditional: Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C. Then, San Francisco Bay area, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Chicago. More recently, places like Atlanta, the Research Triangle in North Carolina, Houston, Austin, Denver, and Dallas. There are also Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Minneapolis, and even Detroit to some extent.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Clinical Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Chris Robinson: The pandemic has refined the values for workers and employers alike. For instance, employees may value flexibility in the work setting or hours over higher compensation. Furthermore, the belief that a position “absolutely required the employee to be physically present” has been challenged, and often, new approaches enabled effective remote work. Given the opportunity to work remotely, this has also opened up the talent pools for many positions, as geographic proximity is not a necessity in many more instances than seen before COVID-19. For employees who must be physically present to perform their jobs, employers have been more open to allowing employees different work schedules, such as electing to work four 10 hour shifts versus the traditional 8-hour day every single weekday.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Clinical Instructors in the next 3-5 years?
Chris Robinson: I am of the mindset that technology isn’t a separate concept, but something becoming deeply interwoven into our day-to-day lives. On the business side, I feel access to real-time data will become the relative norm, enabling employees at all levels to not only have access to critical data, but have it presented in a meaningful way. The term “data” brings with it a certain stigma, and to some, reflections of giant spreadsheets of data. A giant spreadsheet may contain critical data, but it must be visualized in a way that allows a person to quickly draw an appropriate conclusion. From a physical goods standpoint, additive manufacturing is no longer something exclusive to the prototyping and enthusiast community, but something accessible across professions. I would not be surprised if 3D printers were integrated into retailers the same way 1-hour photo labs are.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Clinical Instructors in the next 5 years?
Chris Robinson: While I do not have a crystal ball, the value that orthotic & prosthetic professionals bring to an interdisciplinary health care team cannot be ignored. The same way a pharmacist guides treatment to the most appropriate prescription for a clinical problem, the O&P professional has the knowledge and training to develop treatment plans for conditions such as pain, congenital deformities, or difficulty with walking. I feel any healthcare provider that can empower patients to participate in their day-to-day activities, return to work, or even enjoy recreational activities will have a strong future. The most recent workforce demand study, funded by NCOPE and AOPA in 2015, identified a likely increase in demand for O&P professionals at all levels of education, from associate to master's degree trained practitioners.
Dr. Klaire Brumbaugh
Assistant Professor, Director of Clinical ServicesUniversity of Central Missouri
Department of Communication Disorders
What type of skills will young Clinical Instructors need?
Dr. Klaire Brumbaugh: Novice SLPs (and skilled SLPs) should focus on developing their ability to interpret the evidence. Get comfortable asking yourself, and being asked, why? Be able to justify your goals, intervention strategies, and evaluation procedures. Work smarter- not harder!
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Clinical Instructors to find work opportunities?
Dr. Klaire Brumbaugh: I'm not sure what is available outside of my geographic region, but I would say wherever they end up, make sure there are mentorship opportunities. Make a plan with the clinical fellowship supervisor and stick to it.
How do you envision technology impacting Clinical Instructors in the next 5 years?
Dr. Klaire Brumbaugh: There has been a significant shift to teletherapy since COVID-19 has impacted face-to-face services. I anticipate that this shift will not continue to grow as SLPs can reach a wider population with fewer resources (travel, time, etc.).
Dr. Brooke Bentley Ph.D.
School of Nursing Chair & Full ProfessorEastern Kentucky University
School of Nursing
What type of skills will young Clinical Instructors need?
Dr. Brooke Bentley Ph.D.: Whether entering during the COVID pandemic or after the health crisis has ended, nurses will need to possess various essential skills. While caring for patients, nurses will need to have a quick physical assessment and critical thinking skills—the ability to recognize subtle changes in their patients' status. The ability to care for patients in the community setting as more and more patients are cared for in their homes and ambulatory settings. Flexibility and adaptability will be essential skills—resilience to the changing patient and health care needs. Leadership skills to lead an interprofessional health care team. The ability to balance their holistic wellness, especially their mental health, recognizes their psychological needs from both work exhaustion and the aftermath of COVID 19. They will also need to possess skills to advocate for their patients and their profession, not only at the institutional level but also politically on state and national levels.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Clinical Instructors to find work opportunities?
Dr. Brooke Bentley Ph.D.: There is a national shortage of nurses, and the current pandemic will likely lead to a more significant need. Employment after graduation should not be an issue.
How do you envision technology impacting Clinical Instructors in the next 5 years?
Dr. Brooke Bentley Ph.D.: Technology will likely increase telehealth use to care for more and more patients in home and community settings. More apps and newer software will be integrated into health care. Nurses will need to be technologically savvy and astute, and confident in their assessment skills and patient care knowledge. Nurses will need to make sure their assessment, judgment, and intuition match patient data output from technology.
What experience really stands out on Clinical Instructor resumes?
Dawn Nelson: A significant experience with a client caseload, including strong communication skills and an understanding of theory applications, is essential for those graduates seeking direct practice positions. The ability to clearly and concisely explain that experience on the resume will invite an invitation to interview.
How do you envision technology impacting Clinical Instructors in the next 5 years?
Dawn Nelson: Coronavirus has exponentially increased the growth of technology within the social work field. I foresee that the trend will continue; however, I do not believe that technology will ever completely replace human interaction. When in crisis, people tend to seek out in-person interactions to reassure genuine interest in the client's goals and well-being.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Clinical Instructors?
Dawn Nelson: These graduates have an awareness regarding the importance of flexibility within the field that will enable them to adapt to clients' future needs. Also, many have developed crisis intervention skills because they had to use them. The result will be a generation of resilient and self-confident social workers.
What are the best companies to work for a Clinical Instructor?
Brigette Cooper: General trends in the dental field are leaning towards an increased presence of DSO organizations, although private practices are still a popular employment place. A DSO organization is a Dental Support Organization, or the corporation of dental offices. Some of the DSOs include Heartland Dental, Aspen Dental, Park Dental, Metro Dentalcare, and Pacific Dental Services. Private practices are dental offices that are privately owned by one or more dentists.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Clinical Instructors in the next 5 years?
Brigette Cooper: There will be an increase in demand for dental hygiene graduates in the next five years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than average for all occupations. The demand for dental services will increase as the population ages and as research continues to link oral health to overall health.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Clinical Instructors to find work opportunities?
Brigette Cooper: I do not believe one area is better than another to find employment as a dental hygienist. There appears to be a need for dental hygienists across the country.