Rank advancement guidelines: Supporting the equitable promotion of Doctor of Nursing Practice faculty

A shortage of nursing faculty has contributed to the global nursing workforce shortage. Nursing faculty have historically held a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree, but the faculty pool has shifted as the number of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) graduates has grown. At many universities, rank advancement criteria remain suited to research-focused PhD faculty rather than practice-focused DNP faculty.

This quality improvement project aimed to revise nursing faculty rank advancement guidelines at a 4-year public university to create an equitable career path for DNP-prepared faculty, supporting their recruitment and retention.

The rank advancement guidelines were revised as a quality improvement project, using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model. A literature review supported broadening the guidelines around Boyer's scholarship of application. Criteria were added to ensure equitable recognition of DNP faculty roles, including clinical practice and translation of evidence into practice.

The revised guideline was reviewed and approved by the nursing faculty organization, university leadership, and the faculty union's legal department. The new guideline is now the standard for evaluating nursing faculty in the tenure and promotion process. By incorporating Boyer's scholarship of application and recognizing DNP clinical practice, the guideline offers a practice-relevant pathway for advancement. Early outcomes suggest favorable faculty retention and progression since its introduction.