Requirements to teach in RN program

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Feb 22, 2009

I think it depends on which type of school you teach at (JC vs UC) and if you want to teach lecture or clinical (higher degree required for lecture vs. clinical)

Jolie, BSN · Feb 22, 2009

It depends upon your state and the preferences of the institution.

Some states have passed legislation requiring all educators in RN programs to hold MSN degrees. (This prevents BSNs and those with Master's Degrees in other fields from teaching in RN programs.)

Other states have no such requirements, so institutions are able to set their own qualifications. Some allow BSNs to teach clinical, but not lecture.

While I support all professionals having the highest educational level possible, some of these restrictions seem a little out of touch to me. I have a BSN and worked for a number of years as a hospital-based educator, providing orientation and on-going clinical education to both new and experienced nurses. But I couldn't oversee nursing students in clinical for lack of a Master's Degree.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Feb 22, 2009

look at your state board of nursing regulations under nursing education programs, administrative personal requirements.

list of all boards of nursing found bottom every an page under "need help"

pa regs:

21.71. nurse administrator, faculty and staff requirements.

21.72. faculty policies; additional responsibilities of faculty and faculty assistants.

21.71. nurse administrator, faculty and staff requirements.
(a) a nursing education program shall employ a sufficient number of qualified faculty, faculty assistants, allied faculty and staff to accomplish the objectives of the curriculum and the systematic evaluation plan. the minimum faculty and staff requirements are as follows:
(1) full-time nurse administrator.
(2) full-time faculty members in the areas of practice encompassed within the curriculum.
(3) additional faculty members as needed.
(4) allied faculty members as needed.
(5) adequate personnel to provide program support services, including administrative, clerical, library, admissions, financial aid and student services.
(b) the nurse administrator’s credentials shall be submitted to the board for approval. the nurse administrator’s qualifications are as follows:
(1) the nurse administrator of a baccalaureate degree nursing education program shall hold at least one graduate degree in nursing. the nurse administrator shall hold an earned doctoral degree or have a specific plan for completing doctoral preparation within 5 years of appointment. the nurse administrator shall have experience in nursing practice, nursing education and administration. a professional nurse who does not hold at least one graduate degree in nursing, but who has experience in nursing practice, nursing education and administration may be considered on an individual basis.
(2) the nurse administrator of an associate degree or diploma program shall hold at least one graduate degree in nursing. the nurse administrator shall have experience in nursing practice, nursing education and administration. a professional nurse who does not hold at least one graduate degree in nursing, but who has experience in nursing practice, nursing education and administration may be considered on an individual basis.
(3) the length of appointment of an interim or acting nurse administrator of a nursing education program may not exceed 1 year.
(4) the nurse administrator shall hold either a temporary practice permit to practice professional nursing or be currently licensed as a professional nurse in this commonwealth.
© faculty qualifications are as follows:
(1) faculty members teaching required nursing education courses shall hold at least one graduate degree in nursing, shall be currently licensed as professional nurses in this commonwealth, and shall have expertise in their areas of instruction.
(2) faculty members without a graduate degree in nursing shall be designated faculty assistants. faculty assistants shall be currently licensed as professional nurses in this commonwealth. faculty assistants may teach required nursing education courses only when fully qualified faculty are not available and shall teach under the direct guidance of a faculty member qualified as set forth in paragraph (1). faculty assistants shall have a baccalaureate degree in nursing and shall give evidence of a plan for obtaining a graduate degree in nursing. a person may teach as a faculty assistant in a nursing education program in this commonwealth for a maximum cumulative period of 5 years.
(3) faculty members without a degree in nursing, but who hold at least one graduate degree in a subject area pertinent to their area of teaching, shall be designated as allied faculty members. allied faculty members may teach basic sciences or specialized areas of health care practice.
(4) faculty employed to teach dietetics-nutrition shall be currently licensed to practice dietetics-nutrition in this commonwealth.
(5) an individual who enhances faculty-directed clinical learning experiences by guiding selected clinical activities shall be designated as a clinical preceptor. a clinical preceptor shall hold a current license to practice professional nursing in the state of the clinical experience.
(i) faculty shall have input into the selection of preceptors.
(ii) faculty shall retain responsibility for planning and evaluating student learning experiences when students are engaged in clinical activities with a preceptor.
(iii) if a faculty member is not physically present in the area in which students are practicing, a faculty member shall be immediately available by telephone or other means of telecommunication when students are engaged in clinical activities with a preceptor. (d) program support personnel shall be qualified by education and experience to serve in the capacity in which they are employed.

nj: nursing regulations

13:37-1.7 maintaining accreditation: faculty qualifications
(a) for purposes of this subchapter, the term "faculty" shall include full- time and part-time teachers as well as individuals who are responsible for teaching students in a clinical agency located in new jersey.
(b) faculty members shall:
1. have current licensure in new jersey as a registered professional nurse;
2. have documentation that shows that the nurse has taken courses in, or has professional or clinical experience in, the specific area of teaching responsibility;
3. for faculty in baccalaureate degree programs, associate degree programs and diploma programs who began their current employment position after september 1, 1981, have graduated from a masters degree program with a major in nursing; and
4. for faculty in licensed practical nursing programs who began their current employment position after september 1, 1981, hold a bachelors degree with a major in nursing.
© the educational institution shall maintain on file a record of professional preparation and experience for all faculty.
(d) faculty shall develop an individual plan to maintain competency in the theoretical and practice areas directly related to their area of teaching responsibility. these plans shall be approved by the program administrator.
e) faculty members shall supervise no more than 10 students in a clinical setting.