Assistant Professor - Nursing - #002004, #002030

Western Carolina University; Cullowhee (NC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Carolina University’s School of Nursing invites applications for an in-person Assistant Professor position in its pre-licensure program. This is a full-time, tenure-track, 9-month appointment with a start date of August 1, 2026.

The successful candidate will teach community/public health and nursing science content, supervise student practicums in western NC, and participate in curriculum development, advising, and university service.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include a terminal degree in nursing (DNP, EdD, or PhD).
• At least five years of working experience as a registered nurse.
• Teaching experience in academic settings.
• A scholarly activity and/or research agenda per Boyer model.

Responsibilities

• Teach community/public health and other nursing science content.
• Supervise student practicums in western North Carolina.
• Develop online and traditional courses and advise students.
• Participate in committees and university activities.

Skills

Teaching experience

Communication skills

Scholarly activity

Education

Terminal nursing degree (DNP/EdD/PhD)

Job description

Department

Department School of Nursing

About WCU

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:
2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
2024 – Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 – Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 – Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans – eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences – many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary

This is an in-person position with the possibility of being based in Cullowhee or Asheville.

The School of Nursing ( SON ) invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor in its pre-licensure program. This is a full-time, tenure track, 9-month appointment. The anticipated begin date is August 1, 2026.

The School expects the successful candidate to possess outstanding communication skills, evidence of sustained scholarly activity, teach and develop online and traditional courses, advise students, participate on committees, and other university activities.

Primary responsibilities include: teaching community/public health and other nursing science content and supervising student practicums in the western North Carolina region. In addition, Western Carolina University has adopted the Boyer Model of Scholarship to support its commitment to integrated learning, the scholarship of engagement, and the stewardship of place.

WCU SON is fully accredited through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education ( CCNE ). The WCU SON programs are located on the Cullowhee campus, housed in the state of the art Health Sciences building, and at the Biltmore Park instructional site in Asheville, North Carolina, with clinical sites across the region in both rural and urban settings.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the vision and mission of the BSN Programs, along with the School, College, and University.
• Develop and deliver courses within the BSN Programs.
• Mentor and advise students in collaboration with the Advising Center with regard to academic progress and professional development.
• Provide service to the university, profession, and community.
• Maintain currency in the academic discipline through continuing education, research, and/or participation in activities within the profession, including involvement within professional organizations at the state, district and national levels.
• Work cooperatively and collegially with all faculty and staff in the BSN Programs, School of Nursing, and across the institution.
• Carry out other assignments and duties assigned by the ABSN Program Director, Director of the School of Nursing, and Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position

Minimum Qualifications

• A terminal degree in nursing ( DNP , EdD, PhD)
• At least five (5) years of working experience as a registered nurse
• Teaching experience in academic settings
• A scholarly activity and/or research agenda, as defined by the Boyer model

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference for applicants that have taught one to three years in a School of Nursing with teaching experience in nursing foundations and medical-surgical nursing.
• Experience with CCNE and NC Board of Nursing accreditation
• Demonstrated commitment to student engagement and success
• Demonstrated success with student mentoring
• Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills
• Evidence of service to the profession and/or community

Position Type

Position Type Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours Per Week

Number of Months Per Year

Number of Months Per Year 9

Posting Text

Open Date

Open Date 04/16/2026

Close Date

Open Until Filled Yes

Background/E-Verify

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.
Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify . Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

EOE

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call [phone] or email at [e-mail].

University Safety

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

Required Documents

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Unofficial Transcripts
• List of references

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).