In this episode of the NLN Nursing EDge Unscripted Scholarship track, host Steven Palazzo speaks with Yolanda VanRiel, Elizabeth Gazza, and Beth Cusatis Phillips about their research on RN-to-BSN students’ interest in pursuing faculty roles. The authors used social cognitive career theory to examine what influences students’ intent to become nurse educators, identifying faculty encouragement and role modeling as key factors. Their study revealed five major themes, including the importance of modeling, planting the seed early, unveiling the faculty role, offering teaching opportunities, and helping students weigh the pros and cons of an academic career. The guests emphasize that faculty must actively promote nursing education as a career path by sharing their experiences, mentoring students, and demystifying the educator role. The episode concludes with a call for faculty to “show them, tell them, and encourage them” to inspire the next generation of academic nurse educators. 

Learn more about their work, It Is Up to Faculty: An Exploration of Registered Nurse-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing Student Intent for Faculty Role.

VanRiel YM, Gazza EA, Phillips BC. It Is Up to Faculty: An Exploration of Registered Nurse-to-Bachelor of Science in Nursing Student Intent for Faculty Role. Nurs Educ Perspect. 2023 Jan-Feb 01;44(1):24-29. doi: 10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000001023. Epub 2022 Sep 6. PMID: 36580618.

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.