Date of Conferral

2019

Degree

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

School

Education

Advisor

Jean L. Sorrell

Abstract

There is a nursing faculty shortage at a Mid-Atlantic associate degree nursing program. In response, program administrators have hired adjunct faculty with bachelor of science in nursing degrees (BSNs), hired full-time faculty with master of science in nursing degrees in areas other than education who also are not certified nurse educators, and reduced its minimum requirement for nursing faculty clinical experience. The nursing faculty shortage combined with the resulting gaps in practice are problematic because they may (a) negatively influence the program's ability to produce degreed nurses; (b) increase faculty workload; (c) decrease the quality of student education, which may decrease licensure exam scores; and (d) increase the potential for losing program approval and accreditation. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of BSNs working at the bedside regarding the pursuit of careers as nursing faculty. This purpose was reflected in the 1 overarching and 5 specific research questions developed for this study. The conceptual framework for this generic qualitative study was behavioral intent, a construct based on 4 concepts: planned behavior, self-efficacy, self-determination, and motivation. Snowball sampling was used to recruit 10 BSNs who worked at local hospitals to participate in phone interviews. Data analysis using thematic analysis and the constant comparison method indicated that some BSNs had misconceptions about the roles of nursing faculty and did not feel they were qualified to teach. With insight about barriers to becoming nursing faculty, a nursing faculty champion program was developed. If implemented, the program could initiate social change by increasing the number of BSNs who become nursing faculty, thereby decreasing the nursing faculty shortage and resulting negative outcomes and gaps in practices.

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