Nurse Multipliers - The Nurse Educator

Nursing students attend a lecture at Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing in Atlanta, GA. Photo courtesy of Emory School of Nursing.

Inspired by her family of health care professionals, Susan Jacobs decided at an early age that she wanted to become a nurse. After earning her nursing degree and working in hospitals for several years, Jacobs became interested in a career as a nurse educator.

"I wanted the opportunity to influence new nurses as well as have a career that promoted lifelong learning," said Jacobs, executive associate dean and professor in the College of Nursing at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis.

While she is passionate about her career, Jacobs worries about the nation's acute nursing faculty shortage that has already impacted her position as an educator.

Significant progress is being made recruiting new students into the profession of nursing, but nearly 40,000 qualified applicants were turned away just last year, due to shortage of available nursing school slots.

Aging faculty, increasing competitive pay in medical professions, and nursing school budget complaints are all complicating factors.

At 54.5 years, the average age among the current nursing faculty is rising and a wave of faculty retirements are expected across the nation over the next decade.

Higher compensation in medical staff positions is also luring potential nurse educators away from teaching. According to a 2006 survey conducted by The Nurse Practitioner, the average salary of a nurse practitioner with a master's degree is $72,480 while the average salary of an associate professor with a master's degree is $58,249.

Organizations such as the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) are working to get additional federal funding for faculty development programs. In addition, the NLN Foundation for Nursing Education and The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future recently announced a new faculty mentoring program designed to facilitate ongoing career development for nursing faculty.

"In order to combat the faculty shortage, financial aid is needed to make masters and post-masters study possible for nurses who are considering teaching as a career option," says Dr. Helen O'Shea, RN, professor at Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. "Fortunately many statewide initiatives are underway to address both the shortage of registered nurses and nurse educators, including loan forgiveness programs, faculty fellowships and salary supplements."

Despite the challenges that lie ahead for nursing school faculty and staff, Susan Jacobs knows that the benefits are well worth her efforts.

"I have had the opportunity to teach and mentor so many who have excelled in the field of nursing," says Jacobs, "I hope that I have acted as a role model for nursing students so that they in turn are mentoring new nurses and encouraging them to achieve their personal career goals."

For information on the faculty nursing shortage, visit http://www.aacn.org/. To learn more about faculty mentoring or to obtain an application, visit nlnfoundation.org.

Courtesy of Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing

Training nurses for the front lines of health care: The role of a nurse educator

Nurse educators are responsible for teaching the next generation of nurses and for guaranteeing a competent nursing workforce for the future. Nursing education includes a variety of roles such as teaching, developing courses and programs of study, extensive research and patient care.

Flexibility: Nurse educators can work as full-time faculty members or as adjunct faculty allowing the flexibility of part time options. With a traditional academic schedule, nurse educators are granted most holidays off as well as the potential for a two- to three-month summer break. Nurse educators may teach during the summer, which is compensated separately.

Qualifications: Nurse educators who work in clinical settings must hold at least a baccalaureate degree in nursing, and those who work in academic settings must hold at least a master's degree. Nurse educators must possess excellent communication and thinking skills, have a comprehensive knowledge base in teaching theories and be able to adapt their curriculum to the ongoing changes within the medical field.

Opportunities: Nurse educators may work in hospitals, nursing schools, general colleges and universities, patient care centers or professional membership organization facilities. There are also many federal and private funding sources available to those interested in pursuing graduate nursing education.

For more information on how to become a nurse educator, visit http://www.campaignfornursing.com/ or http://www.discovernursing.com/.

Meet Nurse Educator Susan Jacobs

SUSAN R. JACOB, PHD, RN
Executive Associate Dean and Professor
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, College of Nursing
Memphis, TN

Q: What inspired you to become a nurse educator?

A: I grew up in a family of health care professionals and spent a lot of time as a child in health care facilities so it was a very comfortable environment for me. I also believe that my natural tendencies toward service and caring for others were evident at an early age. I wanted the opportunity to influence new nurses as well as have a career that promoted lifelong learning.

Q: What do you enjoy about your career?

A: Along with the autonomy and schedule flexibility in my career, I have had the opportunity to influence the next generation of nurses, advance nursing scholarships and enhance service activities.

Q: Why is the nursing faculty shortage a serious issue?

A: Nursing schools are turning away unprecedented numbers of qualified applicants due to an insufficient number of faculty, clinical sites and classroom space.

Q: What advice would you offer to people who are interested in a career in nursing education?

A: I would advise someone who is interested in becoming a nurse educator to obtain a terminal degree in nursing and shadow a nurse educator to get a better understanding of the life of a nurse educator.