I have my MSN, why can't I teach Anatomy and Physiology?

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Hello, I have received my Masters of Science degree in Nursing Education, my question becomes am I allowed to teach other courses? such as anatomy, physiology, biology, etcetera? What does it mean when these job postings state that you must have 18 graduate hours in order to teach this course? Would having anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pathopharmacology so on and so forth count as the science courses needed to teach an anatomy or physiology course?

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2 Answers

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Dear MSN,

Congrats on earning your MSN!! That's a major accomplishment. It will open so many doors for you. Yours is a great question.

Anatomy and physiology (A&P) are taken outside of the nursing program as pre-requisites. Some colleges teach them as a combined 2-semester class, while others teach Anatomy one semester, followed by Physiology the following semester.

As far as teaching Anatomy and Physiology (A&P) and other life science courses, having taken A&P courses in and of itself may not qualify you to teach those courses from a faculty accreditation point of view.

The Human Anatomy and Physiology Society, in its position statement on Accreditation of Faculty Teaching Human Anatomy and Physiology courses, states that while the graduate degree is important, postgraduate study and teaching efficacy are also important. In 2013 the Society's accreditation standards called for 18 hours of graduate courses, but in 2020, the requirement was removed and replaced with a Faculty Roster Form to include Academic Courses and Degrees and Other Qualifications (of the instructor). Examples of qualifying experience include mentored A&P teaching experience, postgraduate continuing education, and publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Maybe for many colleges, it's simpler to just default to the old specifications rather than sort through varied documentation of relevant courses, research, clinical work, continuing education, or experience in the field. That may be why you still see the 18-hour requirement in job postings.

Hope this helps explain the job postings and qualifications.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

Specializes in oncology.

I  am retired from teaching in a community college for some years but when I asked about teaching A & P I was told the 18 graduate credit hours had to specifically  be in A & P courses, not just at the undergraduate level. The good news I received was though I could teach a health course and medical terminology. I hope this is currently the case for you as CCs require health and medical terminology courses for many health care programs (respiratory therapy, coding, OTA) and they are always looking for teachers. 

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