Assistant/Associate Professor of Graduate Nursing, Teaching or Practice Track

Simmons University; United States; Remote; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established institution is seeking a dedicated Graduate Nursing faculty member for a full-time contract role. This position involves teaching, curriculum oversight, and mentoring within a dynamic academic environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as experience in advanced pharmacology and nursing education. Join a community that values innovation and social justice, where your contributions will help shape the leaders of tomorrow. This role offers the opportunity to engage in meaningful educational practices while supporting a diverse student body in their journey towards success.

Qualifications

• MSN required; DNP or other doctoral preferred.
• At least 2 years clinical practice in advanced pharmacology required.

Responsibilities

• Teach and coordinate graduate nursing courses and oversee curriculum.
• Mentor Section Instructors and manage student experiences.

Skills

Clinical Practice in Advanced Pharmacology

Teaching Experience

Online Teaching Experience

Commitment to Diversity

Collegiality

Education

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Doctoral Degree (DNP, PhD, or EdD)

Tools

Learning Management System (LMS)

Job description

ABOUT SIMMONS

Located in Boston’s historic Fenway area, Simmons University has a strong tradition of empowering women and challenging traditional gender roles. Simmons was founded for equality 125 years ago as one of the first higher education institutions dedicated to helping women become leaders. Today, our university continues to grow and evolve and now offers Boston’s only women’s undergraduate program and graduate programs open to all.

You’re joining our community at an especially exciting time as we continue to innovate for the future. Simmons recently launched a six-school academic structure that leverages our expert faculty and longstanding expertise in professions that make our communities stronger. In addition, we continue to highlight our high-value education proposition that is delivering greater ROI to students and putting them on the fast track to career growth and success. You’ll find that people who work here truly believe in our mission of preparing students to become social justice-oriented leaders who excel in their professions and their communities. This commitment and pride make for a dynamic workplace.

As a university that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices–at all levels, for all positions–ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.

This Graduate Nursing faculty is a twelve-month, full-time, contract position that is responsible for the successful delivery of graduate nursing curriculum.

Teaching Responsibilities
Teaching is one of the primary position responsibilities of this position. The standard teaching load for full-time Graduate Nursing contract faculty is seven courses per academic year (or the equivalent as approved by the Dean). The faculty’s responsibilities also include:

• Teaching and administrative responsibilities;
• Serving as Course Coordinator for NURP/NURS 424: Advanced Pharmacology and other courses as determined by the Chair, and managing all program needs and day-to-day operations related to assigned courses;
• Overseeing the curriculum, faculty, and overall student experience in all coordinated sections throughout the academic year;
• Ensuring academic rigor and curricular alignment while meeting the needs of current students and aligning with the overall vision of the standards of the School of Nursing and the Commission of Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE);
• Making recommendations for course development and revisions and working with the course iteration team to realize these changes;
• Working closely with the Staffing Specialist to vet and hire adjunct faculty for online and campus sections for designated courses;
• Ensuring faculty readiness, mentoring other Section Instructors in teaching and learning methods, and working to develop and retain faculty.

Essential Functions of the Course Coordinator further include:

Curriculum Support and Delivery:

• Managing the educational process to ensure every student and Section Instructor in designated courses is involved in a positive educational experience through the learning, teaching, and social environment, and is meeting curricular learning objectives/competencies;
• Supporting and implementing curricular revision and development from Section Instructors to ensure course and program objectives are achieved;
• Responsible for all course edits/improvements and in reviewing assessment methods for designated courses;
• Responsible for all course iterations and any revision and/or major redesign work necessary to ensure consistent quality for designated courses;
• Surveying effectiveness of coursework throughout and following the term of each designated course;
• Managing and maintaining the content for designated courses and updating courses for continuous quality improvement.

Oversight of Student Experience & Resolution of Student Issues:

• Collaborating with the Graduate Chair, academic support staff, and other pertinent individuals to assist in investigating and resolving escalated student and staff/faculty issues according to University policies and procedures;
• Monitoring overall student experience in designated courses;
• Ensuring consistency in all grading practices in designated courses;
• Investigating and resolving student educational issues requiring academic actions in consultation with the Graduate Chair and other pertinent individuals according to University policies and procedures;
• Communicating with Operations team and program leadership regarding course, instructor, and/or student-related problems and concerns;
• Collaborating with Office of Student Affairs and Office of Accessibility Services on student concerns;
• Reviewing final student grades for distribution curve; handling escalated issues regarding student grades.

Section Instructor Supervision:

• Providing faculty Section Instructor mentoring, training, evaluation and development for designated courses;
• Ensuring faculty Section Instructor readiness around online teaching and learning methods;
• Collaborating with the Staffing Specialist to interview and approve adjunct faculty/Section Instructors to teach within assigned courses;
• Ensuring evaluation and assessment of adjunct faculty/Section Instructors for designated courses are conducted on an annual basis;
• Holding regular meetings with Section Instructors to ensure course expectations are met;
• Observing synchronous classes with each Section Instructor to ensure consistency and quality in designated courses;
• Providing regular, accurate, and timely assistance, feedback and support to Section Instructors relative to their performance in designated courses;
• Keeping documentation of Section Instructor work and correspondence (as necessary);
• Fostering and encouraging Section Instructors to promote a culture of learning that values mutual responsibility, lifelong learning, and ethics;
• Finding a replacement Section Instructor and/or covering the teaching for that section in case of emergency.

Immersion Programs – faculty may be asked to participate in and support immersive student clinical preparedness events during the academic year, held on our Boston campus.

Section Instructor – Teach graduate nursing courses throughout the contractual year:

• Teaching material from approved curriculum in accordance with assigned course schedule;
• Assuming responsibility for the academic supervision and teaching of the students registered for the term;
• Providing full coverage for all scheduled synchronous sessions/live sessions of online lectures for assigned courses;
• Motivating students to actively participate in all aspects of the educational process;
• Maintaining and evaluating records of student’s academic and clinical performance within the grading systems of the Learning Management System (LMS) and the University;
• Maintaining all administrative/academic components of the course section;
• Providing regular, accurate, and timely student-specific assistance, feedback, and support to students;
• Responding in a clear and well-expressed manner to student questions within one to two business days;
• Fostering and encouraging a culture of learning that values mutual responsibility and respect;
• Posting a weekly student communication to the course platform’s “wall” with guidance, updates, reminders, and expectations;
• Posting and hosting office hours for students.

Service Responsibilities

The faculty member is expected to provide service to the University and contribute to the University’s pursuit of its mission, including:

• Participating as a team member in curriculum development and maintenance;
• Participating in program, department, school, and university meetings, committees, and activities;
• Participating and assisting in faculty governance.

Professional Engagement Responsibilities
All contract faculty are expected to maintain currency in their discipline and licensure as required to carry out their duties at the University, including:

• Participating in professional development to remain relevant in discipline;
• Maintaining certifications, if applicable, to continue currency in the field;
• Maintaining involvement in the broader academic and professional community in accordance with disciplinary/professional standards.

Qualifications/Skills

• MSN required
• DNP or other doctoral degree (PhD or EdD) preferred, or a commitment to obtain a doctoral degree within five years if hired
• At least 2 years clinical practice in advanced pharmacology is required
• Nursing graduate education experience preferred; at least 5 years of academic experience for candidates without a doctoral degree
• Graduate-level clinical or didactic teaching experience preferred
• Online teaching exposure/experience preferred
• Must obtain/maintain Massachusetts RN license
• Demonstrated commitment to collegiality when interacting with others within the University community
• Demonstrated ability to work with students across a broad range of social and personal identities and perspectives

Terms of Service: This is a remote 12-month contract role that reports to the Chair for Graduate Nursing Programs. Consistent with the Faculty Policy Manual (FPM), the standard teaching load for full-time contract faculty at Simmons University is seven courses per academic year or the equivalent workload. Faculty are expected to adhere to all applicable Simmons policies.

Instructions to Applicants: Please upload all applicable application materials (e.g. resume/cv, cover letter, writing sample, teaching philosophy, etc.) in the Application Materials box on page 2 ("My Experience") of this application. Documents can be uploaded individually or as a combined document (e.g. PDF).