Ask instructors to work in an acute clinical setting such as a hospital, outpatient surgery center, or urgent care center. Choose a minimum number of hours that seems reasonable given your instructors' workloads, perhaps one to three days a month for full-time faculty. Instructors are more effective when they remain in touch with current clinical practice and understand the ever-changing dynamics of a medical setting.
Encourage nursing faculty to participate in clinical research. Some schools give extra pay incentives or leaves of absence in order to accommodate faculty who want to be part of a research project. Clinical research is another way faculty members can stay on the cutting edge of nursing and medicine in general, thereby enhancing their expertise.
Support nursing instructors in attaining their doctor of philosophy (PhD) and doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degrees. Nursing schools usually require a master of science in nursing (MSN) for a nurse to become an instructor. However, the research and education that goes into a doctorate-level nursing degree adds to faculty understanding of advanced nursing practice and theory. University nursing schools often waive tuition for faculty members pursuing higher level degrees.
Offer and promote continuing education courses. In order to maintain their licenses, nurses must earn continuing education units as prescribed by their state boards of nursing. Nursing faculty should maintain their active nursing licenses and especially need to stay abreast of the latest information in their fields. Nursing schools often offer an annual continuing education stipend for their employees. Additionally, many nursing schools host continuing education courses for its nursing community. This makes it especially easy for faculty members to attend.
Require nursing faculty to perform rotations as preceptors in university medical centers. This works best for nursing schools at universities with medical schools and hospitals, although sometimes other nursing schools can work out arrangements with nearby medical centers. Preceptors provide practical training to new graduates, helping them adjust to the hospital setting and learn the ropes of the units to which they are assigned. Preceptoring helps nursing faculty stay attuned to the needs of medical facilities and new nurses entering the field.