Statewide Commission on the Crisis in Nursing
Nursing Faculty Careers
Education
Subcommittee
Faculty Issues Work Group
FACULTY CAREER AWARENESS
Faculty refers to individuals employed to teach in nursing education programs. The specific qualifications and faculty responsibilities vary depending on the program type and the degree offered (associate, baccalaureate, masters, or doctorate), as well as the educational setting. A description of the educational requirements, principle roles and responsibilities and information about the various types of faculty positions follows.
FACULTY EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Educational requirements for assuming a role in nursing education are mandated by several organizations, including but not limited to the Maryland Board of Nursing, national accrediting bodies (i.e. The National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Collegiate Commission on Nursing Education), and the policies of the individual college or university. All references to regulatory requirements are based on information taken from Maryland Nurse Practice Act and the Code of Maryland Regulations Governing Education Programs, COMAR 10.27.03.
Minimum qualifications for a faculty position are a Masters degree in nursing and a current Maryland RN license. Under certain circumstances, a waiver to these qualifications may be granted to an individual nursing program. (See COMAR 10.27.03 for specific information on waivers.) Some other general requirements for the various programs types follow. It should be noted, however, that each college or university has its own, specific criteria for hiring nursing faculty, and while generalizations may be made, it is best to contact the individual college or university for specific information.
Associate Degree Programs:
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Current active license to practice as a registered nurse in Maryland is required.
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Masters degree in nursing1 is required for a full-time position.
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Clinical experience necessary to function effectively and safely in the area of teaching is also required.
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A baccalaureate degree in nursing and two years clinical experience is required to be a clinical instructor.
Baccalaureate Degree Programs:
Current active license to practice as a registered nurse in Maryland is required.
Masters degree in nursing1 is the minimum requirement. A doctoral degree in nursing or a related field is preferred.
Clinical experience necessary to function effectively and safely in the area of teaching is also required.
A baccalaureate degree in nursing and two years clinical experience is required to be a clinical instructor.
Masters Degree Programs:
Current active Maryland license to practice as a registered nurse is required. To teach in a nurse practitioner program, nurse practitioners must hold appropriate national certification and a license to practice in Maryland.
Masters degree in nursing1 is the minimum requirement. Nationally certified nurse practitioners without Masters degrees may be considered. A doctoral degree in nursing or a related field is preferred.
Clinical experience necessary to function effectively and safely in the area of teaching is also required.
Doctoral Degree Programs:
Current active Maryland license to practice as a registered nurse is required.
A Masters degree in Nursing1 is required.
A Doctoral degree in nursing or a related field is also required.
A research background may be preferred.
1
The Maryland Nurse Practice Act stipulates a graduate degree in nursing is required, but it may be at the masters or doctoral level.