Annual Faculty, Medical Surgical Nursing

Samuel Merritt University; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 97,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Mental health resources

Education reimbursement

Marketplace discounts

Paid vacation and leave

Holidays and holiday break

Floating holidays

Volunteer day

Education leave days

Job summary

Samuel Merritt University invites applicants for adjunct faculty positions in the School of Nursing, based onsite at the Oakland Campus. Roles include Theory, Lab, and Clinical teaching, with a focus on developing professional nurse leaders and addressing health disparities.

Qualified candidates hold a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing, hold or be eligible for California RN licensure, and have experience teaching diverse student populations at the baccalaureate or higher level.

Qualifications

• Masters or doctorate in nursing (or related field) from an accredited institution.
• Experience teaching diverse students at baccalaureate or higher degree level.
• Unencumbered CA RN license or eligible for licensure in California.
• Demonstrated competence in theory or clinical area at the level of the student being taught.
• Experience collaborating with leadership in healthcare and academic institutions.

Responsibilities

• Orientation for adjunct faculty is completed.
• Create a learner-centered environment that supports diverse learning needs.
• Communicate progress to students and create mutual learning plans for improvement.
• Notify program leadership of at-risk students and follow up weekly.
• Participate in program and course faculty meetings and reviews.
• Refer students to appropriate learning resources.

Education

Masters and/or doctorate in nursing or a related field

Experience teaching diverse students at the baccalaureate or higher degree level

Unencumbered California registered nurse license or eligible for licensure in California

Demonstrated current competence in theory or clinical area at the level of the student being taught

Experience working with leadership in healthcare and academic institutions and community organizations

Job description

Description

Samuel Merritt University graduates improve health outcomes and reduce disparities for all members of our communities. We have spent more than a century preparing outstanding healthcare professionals through immersive learning and community engagement, and are deeply committed to transforming healthcare through diversity and inclusion. At the School of Nursing, we are at the forefront of educational innovation in theory and practice to prepare highly competent professional nursing leaders who are engaged in the advancement of nursing practice and the improvement of health for diverse populations/peoples. Our mission is to prepare highly skilled nurse clinicians and nurse leaders who promote health and well-being across diverse populations and communities, recognize the importance of Social Determinants of Health, and practice with compassion, kindness, and respect.

Join a team of dedicated educators! Our faculty are known for their passion for growing the nursing vocation. With this passion, we strive to awaken curiosity in our students and instill lifelong learning. Congruent with our values, we work hard to inspire service and leadership in our students and in our surrounding communities. For this reason, the role of faculty is vitally important because of their unmatched position to shape the professional and personal development of graduates. Adjunct faculty are responsible for creating a positive learning environment for students in accordance with the educational objectives of the course and implement the policies identified in the course syllabus to ensure the successful achievement of course objectives.

There are multiple adjunct faculty (Theory, Lab, and Clinical) opportunities available for the Fresno campus. These opportunities are ideal for working nurses who are not seeking full‑time teaching positions, but have expertise in disciplines of medical‑surgical nursing, critical care, pediatrics, maternity, community health, mental health nursing or simulation and an interest in teaching and student mentorship.

Duties and Responsibilities

All Assignments

• Completes the required orientation for adjunct faculty.
• Creates a dynamic, learner-centered environment that supports the diverse learning needs of the student population based on educational theory and evidence-based teaching practices.
• Apprises students of their progress in the course at the mid‑term point, as defined in the syllabus, and for those who are not meeting expectations, establishes a mutual learning plan to achieve stated goals.
• Notifies the program director/chair (and course manager if relevant) of at‑risk students as soon as identified and at least weekly thereafter.
• Participates in program and course faculty meetings as needed.
• Meets with program faculty to review the course and make recommendations for improvements.
• Refers students to appropriate learning and support resources.

Teaching (Theory)

• Prepares and conducts effective classroom/hybrid learning activities congruent with the course objectives.
• Plans learning experiences that are appropriate to the level of the student.
• Organizes and maintains the Canvas course.
• Responds to student electronic and telephone communications within 48 hours.
• Prepares and reviews written examinations, papers, and student projects and evaluates learner performance in the classroom.
• Meets with students as requested outside of class to provide learning support.

Teaching (Clinical)

• Submits attendance at the start of course.
• Meets with course manager prior to the first day of clinical to review clinical and course requirements.
• Completes an appropriate clinical orientation to the site/s (if necessary) where the faculty member will be overseeing students; maintains and enhances competence in the clinical area of teaching.
• Models reflective and critical thinking in the lab/clinical environment and serves as a coach and mentor for students; confers with them on their progress and assists them in the development of learning plans to facilitate successful achievement of course objectives.
• Reviews written assignments and provides appropriate, timely written feedback; documents student progress on appropriate forms and if necessary, provides a learning plan for the attainment of objectives.
• Submits the students’ final clinical evaluations for filing as instructed as well as final grades.

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Experience

• Masters and/or doctorate in nursing or a related field from an accredited institution of higher learning.
• Experience teaching diverse students at the baccalaureate or higher degree level.
• Unencumbered California registered nurse license or eligible for licensure in California.
• Demonstrated current competence in theory or clinical area at the level of the student being taught.
• Experience working with leadership in healthcare and academic institutions and community organizations.

Work Environment

Office Location: Oakland Campus - Onsite

• This is an onsite position based in Oakland, CA, requiring regular in‑office presence to support daily operations, collaboration, and student or team engagement.
• Work is performed primarily on campus in a dynamic academic environment, with direct interaction across multidisciplinary teams.

Mental/Physical Requirements

This position will be performed in an office setting. The position will require the incumbent to sit and stand at a desk, communicate in person, video and by telephone, frequently operate standard office equipment, such as telephones and computers.

Employee Status

Regular

Exemption Status

United States of America (Exempt)

Time Type

Full time

Pay Range

The anticipated annual salary range for this exempt position is $97,000–$120,000. The actual salary offered will be determined based on job‑related factors, including relevant experience, qualifications, skills, and geographic location, as applicable.

Organization

At Samuel Merritt University (SMU), we are dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive community committed to advancing healthcare through exceptional education, compassionate care, and community service. Known for our leading‑edge programs in health sciences, SMU equips students and faculty with the knowledge and skills to make impactful contributions to health and wellness.

Samuel Merritt University currently provides base salary ranges for all positions‑on job advertisements‑in the United States based on local requirements. Individual compensation will ultimately be determined based on a variety of relevant factors including but-not limited to qualifications, geographic location, and other relevant skills.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. SMU welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where anyone can thrive and reach their full potential.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Mental health and wellness resources
• Education reimbursement
• Employee discounts through Marketplace
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and parental leave
• Nine paid holidays, plus a paid holiday break between Christmas and New Year’s Day
• Two floating holidays
• One paid Volunteer Work Day
• Five Education Leave Days