GW Nursing Partners with Organization for Associate Degree Nursing to Tackle Faculty Shortage

The George Washington University (GW) School of Nursing has announced a partnership with the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) to help address a nationwide shortage of nursing professors. OADN is a group that works to improve nursing education and access to nursing degrees, creating an incentive for prospective faculty to earn degrees.

A shrinking faculty workforce has made it difficult to offer adequate graduate programs and programs for students who do not already have an associates degree. GW’s new partnership will reduce admissions barriers to OADN members interested in earning a graduate certificate in nursing education and health policy, as well as a master’s degree program in the field of nurse leadership management.

Pamela Jeffries, dean of the GW School of Nursing, tells GWHatchet.com, “Colleges and universities are relying on a shrinking faculty workforce to educate the next generation of nurses, making it difficult for them to meet student demand. By reducing barriers and speed of entry, it is our hope that this partnership will be beneficial to GW, OADN and to the health of people throughout the nation.”

A 2017 report by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing found that faculty shortages at nursing schools are limiting enrollment at a time of rising interest in nursing education. The report recommends instituting faculty development programs to help combat the shortage. OADN was drawn to GW as a partner because of its certification program, which is specifically geared toward nursing education. Students who complete the program learn how to develop a curriculum, construct tests, and conduct evaluations, subjects not always included in nursing master’s degree programs.