Transition to Nurse Faculty Role: A National Perspective

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine, on a national level, the transition from doctoral nursing student to the nurse faculty role. The specific aims of this study are: (1) to describe transition to the faculty role from pre-transition (doctoral teaching preparation) to post transition (institutional support); (2) to examine the interrelationships between pre-transition, post-transition, and individual characteristics on level of adaptation; and (3) to examine predictors of faculty intent to leave. Methods: A descriptive correlational survey research design will be used to describe doctoral teaching preparation and institutional support available, examine the relationships among the key study variables, and identify the most significant factors related to faculty retention. An email database of chief nurse administrators as listed by American Association of Colleges of Nursing 776 accredited departments/schools/colleges of nursing will be generated. A blinded mass email will be sent to all chief nurse administrators in the database inviting them to participate in the study by disseminating the online survey to faculty members. A minimum of 570 full-time nurse faculties who have earned a PhD or DNP degree in nursing and have four or less years of teaching experience will be recruited. The study survey examines key variables including: doctoral teaching coursework, teaching experience, institutional/department support, teaching competency, burnout, job satisfaction, intent to leave nursing faculty, and demographics. Logistic regression will be used to determine factors predicting intent to leave academia. Results: Forthcoming. Conclusion: Forthcoming.