Teaching nursing with a Ph.D. in medicine?

Published

My husband has a Ph.D. in medicine and he is interested in teaching nursing (the more science-based courses like patho and pharm). He currently teaches undergrad and graduate biomedical science classes at a state school, but now that I'm pursuing my FNP/DNP he loves the idea of a career in nursing education, too. He's qualified to teach med school, but he would honestly prefer to teach nursing and APRN students. If he takes 18+ hours of graduate nursing courses, do you think he would be eligible to teach patho, pharm, etc in a nursing program? And would anyone be willing to hire a non-nurse? He would be a tremendous asset because he understands diseases and physiology at a molecular level and explains them really well, but I wonder if anyone would give him a chance. Thanks in advance for any advice!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

Lots of schools will have a few non-nurse professors. Usually, they are the type of people similar to your husband -- with PhD's in the basic sciences. And of course, they don't teach "nursing" courses: they teach courses for nursing students that focus on the subject matter at which they are experts.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks so much for your response! That's encouraging to hear.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Addictions, psych, corrections, transfers.

Our medical terminology and first A&P classes were taught by a chiropractor. My micro and further A&P classes where taught by a former family doctor. I don't see why not.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nurse.

What is a Ph.D in Medicine? I've never met anyone who studied the subject to that level who wasn't an M.D.

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

I don't see why not. While pharm and A & P are vital components of the nursing curriculum they are not specifically nursing classes. With his background it sounds like he would be a great asset.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Dialysis.

He will need to check with specific programs. Some states require a MSN, because the discipline of nursing is different than, say, medicine. He could teach prereqs because those classes aren't limited to just nursing students. Kudos to him for wanting to teach our next generation!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
If he takes 18+ hours of graduate nursing courses, do you think he would be eligible to teach patho, pharm, etc in a nursing program?

He will not be eligible to take graduate-level nursing courses without being an RN. That is a requirement for virtually every post-grad nursing programs I have seen.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I bet he would be excellent. My school was always scrambling for instructors. The bottom line is to reach out to potential employers. They will know if there are any barriers to him teaching now, as is. I think all my school required to teach was a Masters.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My chemistry and physics, pathophysiology, physiology professor in my nurse anesthesia program is a non-nurse and he is AMAZING.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When I took my RN refresher course it was filled with Pharmacists, and MD's who taught those type things.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB.

My microbiology course was taught by a dentist and my pathophysiology course was taught by a primary care doctor---definitely common to have non-nursing medical professionals teaching nursing students. I'm also curious what a PhD in medicine is?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment