External review for promotion and tenure in schools of nursing

To obtain information about external review for tenure and/or promotion, the faculty affairs committee in a large nursing program located in the southeastern United States conducted a survey among programs that award a doctoral degree in nursing. Research questions focused on general tenure and promotion policies, policies and procedures regarding the use of external review, and perceived advantages and disadvantages of external review. A 22-item survey was sent to 53 institutions with a total of 34 usable surveys being returned. Findings revealed that a majority of the schools used external review, especially for tenure decisions and promotion to the associate and professor rank. Promotion and tenure criteria from individual schools were usually sent to reviewers along with the candidates' curriculum vitae and manuscripts. Candidates usually participated in the selection of external reviewers, but contact with reviewers was usually instituted by the administration within the institution. It was also felt that the advantage of external review far outweighed any disadvantages.