Originally published in the Journal of the American Nurses Association

Quay C, et al. November 15, 2023.

This research highlights the critical need for professional nursing organizations to form collaborative task forces at the national, state, and local levels to address the shortage of academic nurse educators (ANEs). This collaboration should focus on promoting the ANE role as a nursing specialty and advocating for specialized education and increased compensation for ANEs.

The nursing faculty shortage, currently affecting nursing schools with an 8.8% vacancy rate, can be alleviated through efforts such as the successful Washington State coalition, Action Now!, which increased nurse educator salaries by 26.5% through advocacy and state funding. Additionally, national organizations like NACNEP recommend the creation of centers to advocate for best practices in educator preparation, partnerships between academia and practice, and distance learning programs to increase accessibility.

Furthermore, specialized education for ANEs is essential to ensure they possess the necessary pedagogical skills to prepare future nurses effectively. Although graduate programs provide various pathways for ANEs, such as MSN or PhD, they often fail to adequately prepare graduates in teaching methodologies, curriculum development, and student assessment. This gap in pedagogical preparation contributes to difficulties in nurse educator retention and in quality of nursing programs. Nursing organizations should promote the ANE role as a respected and viable specialty, emphasizing the importance of certifications, such as those offered by the NLN, and fostering awareness through initiatives like public relations campaigns and student exposure to the specialty. Addressing the ANE shortage through improved compensation, educational pathways, and professional recognition will ensure the sustainable growth of the nursing workforce.

Quay, C., Kabigting, E. R., Wall, C. L., Farrell, R., Suzan, Z., Washington, S., Pajarillo, E. J. Y., Seibold-Simpson, S. M., & Bajwa, M. (2023). The Academic Nurse Educator Shortage: A Qualitative Study and a Call for Collaboration with Professional Nursing Organizations. Journal of the American Nurses Association – New York, 3(1), 55–62. https://doi.org/10.47988/janany.44233655.3.1.