Policy Recommendations to Address the Nurse Educator Shortage: Nominal Group Technique Findings

There is a critical shortage of academic nurse educators (ANEs) in the United States. Using the nominal group technique, this qualitative study aims to comprehend the challenges ANEs face and provides a call to action for policy changes, addressing the persistent shortage.

A convenience sample of volunteers was recruited through an inquiry posted on a national professional nursing education organization's community discussion forum. Participants were informed of the workgroup's objective to formulate a systematic strategy to alleviate the ANE shortage.

Actionable strategies identified include increased funding, facilitation of ANE preparation, promotion of academic-practice partnerships, establishing a national center for nursing education, and elevation of the ANE role.

Neglecting these measures will perpetuate the shortage of ANEs, affecting the availability of practicing nurses and consequently affecting the health and well-being of the population. [J Nurs Educ. 2025;64(7):415-422.].