Quality workplace environments for nurse educators: implications for recruitment and retention

Although information is available regarding quality practice environments for RNs, there is little knowledge about what constitutes quality practice environments for nurse educators teaching in schools of nursing. Not only is there a need to examine nurse educators' workplaces, but there is also a call for a close examination of the culture in schools of nursing. Cultural analyses will enable faculty to grapple with the policies and processes which need to be addressed. Besides these areas, nurse educators need to contribute to research on their own environments, paying attention to their everyday experiences and what is important to them in their workplaces. These areas will illuminate how best to support organization and institutional change to attract new nursing faculty and to retain those who desire to stay. Finally, organizations must be committed to working with faculty in areas nurse educators identify as important to them and to address those aspects of their work environments identified as causing concern.