Requirements for nursing faculty

[saheckler, PhD, RN]

Hi everyone, does anyone know if a master's in nursing is required to be nursing faculty? I thought that if someone had a PhD in a related discipline that that would be sufficient, but I've read that some states require a master's in nursing, even if someone has a PhD in nursing or in a related discipline. I did some google searching but haven't found much. Any information or pointers on where to find this information would be much appreciated! Thank you!

[elkpark]

It depends on the specific school. I suggest you ask some schools in which you're interested.

[saheckler, PhD, RN]

It depends on the specific school. I suggest you ask some schools in which you're interested.

The problem is how would I be able to anticipate which schools I will want to be a professor at when I'm 5-6 years away from applying to faculty positions (3-4 year PhD program and a 2 year post doc)? Based off your advice, maybe it's a good idea to look on some faculty job boards at the nursing faculty postings and see if any mention an MSN. Thanks for the idea! I thought it was somehow regulated by state boards of nursing or something along those lines, but I haven't been able to find much.

[elkpark]

The problem is how would I be able to anticipate which schools I will want to be a professor at when I'm 5-6 years away from applying to faculty positions (3-4 year PhD program and a 2 year post doc)? Based off your advice, maybe it's a good idea to look on some faculty job boards at the nursing faculty postings and see if any mention an MSN. Thanks for the idea! I thought it was somehow regulated by state boards of nursing or something along those lines, but I haven't been able to find much.

There are some general guidelines/regs (you are expected to have a degree higher than the program in which you're teaching (MSN-prepared faculty can teach in BSN programs, but not in graduate programs), but details like MSN vs. other master's, doctorate in nursing vs. doctorate in another field, MSN required if your doctorate is in another field, etc., are up to individual schools.

[saheckler, PhD, RN]

Ok that's good to know. Thank you!

[Null]

Faculty and Dean Vacancies

Looking at the first few vacancies, it seems that the requirement is for a PhD in nursing or a related field for the rank of assistant/associate professor. I would not think that a nurse that goes from BSN to PhD would be limited by the lack of an MSN. However, my state does require a certain number of credit hours in nursing education content to teach. I am not sure if this is common in other states but those classes are not typically part of a PhD curriculum.

[saheckler, PhD, RN]

Thank you! That's really helpful!

[InquisitiveAPN]

I've held contract faculty appointments in advanced practice. I don't have a doctorate. Most of the graduate faculty do, but there are some Masters only staff that have assistant associate professorships.

[saheckler, PhD, RN]

I've held contract faculty appointments in advanced practice. I don't have a doctorate. Most of the graduate faculty do, but there are some Masters only staff that have assistant associate professorships.

I just reread my original question and it is very unclear! Sorry about that! I will have my doctorate either way (I'm applying to PhD programs in public health and in nursing); I'm just wondering if I get my PhD in public health if I will still be able to be a faculty member in a school of nursing, since my highest nursing degree will be my BSN.

[Rnis, BSN, DNP, APRN, NP]

I don't think so. You could perhaps teach as an adjunct for community health nursing but I can't imagine that you would be able to teach nursing in other areas.

[saheckler, PhD, RN]

I'm sure it's less common, but I know some nurse faculty who have an EdD and not a PhD in nursing. They may have a master's in nursing, so maybe that would be a necessary first step, but that might be a good idea anyway because there are tons of nursing master's degrees specifically in nursing education. It's worth looking into at least.

[llg, PhD, RN]

As others have said, a lot depends on the particular school, the particular state, etc. But regardless what the "legal" or "required" minimums are ... not have a graduate degree in nursing would put you at a disadvantage for many positions. You might still meet the minimal requirements of some jobs with your highest nursing degree being at the BSN (an "entry-level" degree) and a PhD in something else. But you would be competing with nurses who had MSN's, DNP's, and/or PhD's in nursing. That would probably put you at a disadvantage in the job market for some jobs.