Half of Qualified Applicants Turned Away d/t Worsening Nurse Faculty Shortage

adria37 · Jul 4, 2006

That is so sad Vicki but by the same token I graduated from UNCG with a focus in nursing education and can't find a job on the western end of the state and the ones that I have seen for the middle and eastern parts of the state don't pay enough to survive. I have returned to school for a post Master's certificate (FNP) maybe I can teach when my son is out of college.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Jul 6, 2006

That is so sad Vicki but by the same token I graduated from UNCG with a focus in nursing education and can't find a job on the western end of the state and the ones that I have seen for the middle and eastern parts of the state don't pay enough to survive. I have returned to school for a post Master's certificate (FNP) maybe I can teach when my son is out of college.

Thank you for your insightful post, adria37. I wasn't aware of the lack of faculty openings in the Western part of the state. There have been many openings in the Eastern area of the state, but tend to appear suddenly, sporatically and in clusters. The pool of applicants seems to be increasing. We recently advertised for three fulltime openings in our ADN program, and had an incredible 6 applicants apply, half of whom hold a Master's degree. The pay continues to be an issue, but is slowly increasing. I wish you well in your future endeavors.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Jul 7, 2006

I just recently heard from two of my former classmates - who graduated with me last year, with a MSN-Nursing Education. These were seasoned fulltime classroom and clinical instructors in a small ADN program in the middle region of the state. They had many years of teaching experience and an excellent reputation. I was shocked to find out that these two most excellent teachers are no longer working as nurse educators. They are now employed at a local hospital and not involved in education. They were forced out of their program due to negative "politics" among the faculty. What a terrible and senseless loss. This particular nursing program is now in dire need of experienced educators and their students will be the ultimate losers. I believe this illustrates another factor in the shortage of nurse educators across the state - negative, unsupportive, stress-filled environments (especially among the smaller ADN programs) causing many educators to burn out or to leave the teaching profession entirely. So, not only do we need to attract good candidates to nursing education and provide resources/ support for their education and certification, but we also need to concentrate on retaining the good instructors which we already have. We need to build professional, collegial work environments in which educators can be nurtured and supported. Otherwise, the shortage is going to get much worse.

bsweilrn · Jul 7, 2006

This is a serious problem.

I have looked and looked for a position as an instructor without success. I know I have the qualifications, yet no programs save one or two are hiring and no programs are increasing staffing to allow more students. Same old answer, there is no money in the budget.

All I keep reading is get your MSN in education, we need teachers, yet the community college administration is doing nothing to increase the programs, and those of us wanting to give back to the young nurses are being shut out of any opportunity. If the schools doubled the faculty size, they still wouldn't run out of students trying to get into the profession.

What can we do about this, we have been saying the same thing for years, and nothing of substance has been done to curb the ever widening nursing shortage? :madface:

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Jul 8, 2006

This is a serious problem.
I have looked and looked for a position as an instructor without success. I know I have the qualifications, yet no programs save one or two are hiring and no programs are increasing staffing to allow more students. Same old answer, there is no money in the budget.
All I keep reading is get your MSN in education, we need teachers, yet the community college administration is doing nothing to increase the programs, and those of us wanting to give back to the young nurses are being shut out of any opportunity. If the schools doubled the faculty size, they still wouldn't run out of students trying to get into the profession.
What can we do about this, we have been saying the same thing for years, and nothing of substance has been done to curb the ever widening nursing shortage? :madface:

I am sorry for your frustrating experience - keep trying, don't give up. I don't know about other ADN programs in the state, but ours is expanding by 50% - a major undertaking I might add with the full backing of our community college administration. One of the community colleges in our area is planning on starting an LPN program in 2007 and will be in desperate need of faculty. And just a few years ago a new ADN program was started at Carteret Community College. A new BSN program was recently started at UNC at Pembroke and East Carolina University School of Nursing has greatly expanded its program and has employed at least 13 new faculty members. ECU-SON now is the largest nursing program in the state.