Job Responsibilities
I teach udergraduate and graduate Nursing students about the
profession of Nursing. I prepare lesson plans for four classes
per week each 3-4 hours in length. A lesson plan for a new prep
(never taught the class or subject before) can vary from 4-5
hours. For a class already taught, it takes about 1.5 hours to
review and revise as necessary. Total for a week is about 16-20
hours, not including class time. I teach using the lesson plan
as a guide, I evaluate students performance, and guide them
through certain processes necessary for them to assimilate the
knowledge and to integrate it into their daily nursing practice.
I teach undergraduate students in health studies. I serve on the
School of Nursing FAculty committee, which is the governing body
to develop and evaluate the nursing curriculum. I evaluate
textbooks used in teaching my courses. I sit on the Health
Studies ad hoc committee to develop a program of instruction for
this to become a university major. I recruit students from local
health care facilities and from local two year college programs.
I supervise nursing adminsitration students in the clinical
area.Office hours are 4 hours/week. Ability to meet with students
is on average about 10 hours/week. Clinical supervision is 2 hour
per student, 3 times each semester. We are expected to present to
conferences and conduct research in our specialty.
And other tasks as directed by the Dean.
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Job Requirements
Our program is called an upper division BSN (last two years). WE
teach clinical and theoretical concepts to RN's who are pursuing
the BSN degree. We also have a variety of Masters in Nursing
programs, and several post masters certificate programs. WE teach
classes on line, as well as in the classroom. Most of our
undergraduate nursing classes are in the day, due to the
requirement for clinical. Our graduate classes are all in the
evening, due to the fact that 99% of our students are already in
the workforce. Classes are generally rated by students from 3.6-
4.0 on a 4.0 scale. There is a required core of courses required
for the graduate level, and then specialty classes in their
major. Depending on the student volume, which has gone up
significantly in the last two years, some courses are offered
only in odd years. WE offer courses during the summer to allow
students to complete their program in 3 years part time. Grading
is standard A to C- for undergrads,and graduates must maintain a
B or better GPA. We offer a waiver of the GRE if a graudate
maintains a B or better in their first four courses. We transfer
in credits in both the graduate and undergraduate programs. THe
chair of each program evaluates that on an individual basis. Of
the 11 faculty, 4 have doctoral degrees, five are completing
their doctoral studies, and one is brand new, and one is a
visiting professor. Student workload depends on part vs full
time, and is negotiated with the students advisor.
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Uppers
Time is easily managed and fits in well with family lifestyles. THe opportunity
to influence someone's mind has got to be the best opportunity. Meeting new
students, and learning from them and being on a spectacularly gorgeous campus (we
have two historic buildings (THe Guggenheim estate was converted into a library,
and President Wilson's summer home is now our main adminsitration building.) THe
campus is serene, close to the ocean (2 miles) and the town is supportive of the
Unversity. WE have two theaters (one for plays and the other serves a variety of
arts needs. It is a small campus and you have an opportunity to get to know most
of the staff and faculty. It's very close to my home, so drive time is minimal
and it's a suburban area. The faculty get along well and that facilitates the
job. Each shares their expertise with new faculty. WE have excellent media and IT
support and equipment, and have a Faculty REsource Training center to learn new
teaching concepts.
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Downers
Some days the meeting schedule plus class time is very
long. "whiny" students. No phones in or near some of the remote
classrooms.
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Lifestyle
Work hours are dependent on class schedule, (each class is generally 3-4 hours
in lenngth), meeting schedule, office hours, and time needed to research to
prepare, average workweek is 4 days, 4-8 hours per day. We /go to professional
conferences that are paid for by the university, as attendees or presentors (one
conf/year) depending on available funds. Social events include the opening year
convocation followed by the faculty/staff barbecue. THeir is a holiday
social/buffet, and Founder's day celebration, followed by a reception. GRaduation
is manadatory for all faculty. THe Human resources dept plans various social
trips throughout the year. Dress code is casual professional, no jeans. We are
trying to diversify our nursing faculty, but there is a dirth of qualified
candidates. THe University has a mixed racial and ethnic population, and many
faculty are foreign born. WE teach cultural diversity in many of our nursing
programs.
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Compensation
AS a visiting assitant professor, my salary is not the same as a
full time tenure track professor. Salaries are negotiated by
union contract. I do not have sufficient information to really
answer this question
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Advice to Jobseekers
We currently are experiencing a shortage of nursing faculty, and
this is compounding the national nursing shortage. I would
encourage anyone who enjoys training and teaching to prepare
educactionally for this job. A minimum of a Masters in Nursing
is required, and most faculty pursue a doctoral degree. If one is
thinking of this, begin your education at an early age, and
obtain the doctorate early in your career. Many universities
offer part time course work for the doctoral studies programs.
Don't consider an on-line doctorate.
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