Faculty for the millennium: changes needed to attract the emerging workforce into nursing

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Workforce Development
• Higher Education Pedagogy

Background:

• The twenty-something generation entering nursing programs desires educators who provide nurturing, motivation, and active listening.
• Nursing education faces pressure to increase graduates due to a global nursing shortage and competition from other careers.
• Challenges in recruiting and retaining nursing faculty, including an aging workforce and declining numbers, impact educational capacity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the expectations of young students regarding their nursing faculty.
• To identify innovative strategies for increasing the number of nursing graduates.
• To position nursing education as a collaborative partner in addressing workforce needs.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative exploration of student preferences in nursing education.
• Analysis of factors influencing faculty recruitment and retention in nursing programs.
• Examination of educational strategies to enhance nursing graduate numbers.

Main Results:

• Young nursing students prioritize personal attention and supportive teaching styles.
• Faculty support and mentorship are key factors for student engagement and success.
• Innovative approaches are needed to overcome faculty shortages and boost graduate output.

Conclusions:

• Nursing education must adapt to student needs by fostering supportive learning environments.
• Addressing faculty recruitment and retention is essential for expanding the nursing workforce.
• Collaborative strategies between education and practice are vital to meet global nursing demands.