The Need for Nursing Educators
Feb 7, 2019

For those Concorde Nursing graduates looking to delve into another area of the field, you might think about teaching. Nursing educator needs are growing. According to recent statistical analysis compiled by the Duquesne University School of Nursing, 36 percent of candidates could not get into a bachelor of science in nursing program, 45 percent could not get into an associateâs program and 28 percent could not get into a diploma program. These applicants applied to nursing schools, but were rejected even if they were qualified. Budget constraints, limited classroom space, issues with availability of clinical sites and the like are challenges. So are faculty size and lack of clinical preceptors.
Supply and demand in Nursing
The shortage of nursing educators corresponds directly with the rising demand for nurses, according to Lu-Ping Gamble, RN, MSN, PhDEd., Vocational Nursing Program Director at Concordeâs campus in Garden Grove, Calif. She cited the Duquesne University study of factors that are contributing to this nursing shortage.- Retirement of the current generation of nurses. By the year 2022, 500,000 nurses will have retired. That leaves a huge manpower requirement for trained nurses to fill. Failure to address this need could have serious repercussions for the health care industry.
- Senior citizen population is expected to rise. It is estimated that the number of senior citizens â those aged 65 and older â will reach 69 million by 2030. This is an increase of 75 percent over the next 20 years. The number of senior citizens is expected to reach around 88.5 million by the year 2050. These senior citizens have unique health care needs, most of which require the services of trained and skilled nurses.
- Increase in chronic diseases. The National Council on Aging estimates that 80 percent of the U.S. population suffers from at least one chronic condition.
Some challenges of hiring Nursing educators
Carol Carotenuti, RN, MSN/Ed, VN Program Director at Concordeâs campus in San Diego, said sheâs been having a difficult time hiring Nursing educators. She cites several reasons why.- Most candidates have full-time jobs and want to supplement their income with a teaching job. They do not want to commit to a full-time position or even part-time because educatorsâ salaries are not comparable to what they get in the field. Many do not want to work evenings or weekends, when Concorde offers some of its classes.
- Most candidates that have been applying are not young, and they do not have a lot of current hospital experience to give to students.
- There are regulations requiring one year recent experience in Nursing, a teaching certificate for adult learners, an active RN license and, preferably, a BSN or MSN degree.

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