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Nurse Practitioner (NP) Program Faculty Member

RoleNP Program Faculty Member
EducationDNP or PhD in Nursing Required
LicensureActive, Unencumbered RN and APRN
Experience3+ Years NP Clinical Practice
EducationDNP or PhD
LicensureActive RN + APRN
CertificationNP National Certification
Experience3+ Years NP Clinical
📍  US-Based College or University  |  Graduate Nursing Program  |  Full-Time, Tenure-Track or Clinical Faculty

Nurse Practitioner (NP) Program Faculty Member

A leading institution of higher learning is seeking an experienced Nurse Practitioner Program Faculty Member to join its Graduate Nursing Education team. This position involves teaching, mentoring, and guiding students within the NP program, with a focus on advanced practice nursing across specialty areas including family practice, acute care, pediatrics, adult-gerontology, psychiatric mental health, or related fields.

The ideal candidate will bring substantial NP clinical experience, doctoral-level preparation, a current national certification, and a genuine commitment to student success and the advancement of graduate nursing education. This is a role for an advanced practice nursing professional who understands that the quality of NP education directly shapes the quality of primary and specialty care that future patients will receive.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Curriculum Development and Instruction

  • Develop, implement, and continuously assess program curriculum to ensure it meets current clinical standards, reflects evidence-based practice, and satisfies CCNE or ACEN accreditation requirements
  • Deliver engaging lectures, oversee hands-on simulation lab activities, and supervise clinical practica and preceptored experiences to foster student learning across cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains
  • Incorporate instructional technology, distance learning tools, and simulation modalities that enhance learning for graduate nursing students in both on-campus and online program formats
  • Evaluate student performance through comprehensive assessments, objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), and practicum evaluations that accurately measure NP competency readiness

Student Mentorship and Advising

  • Provide academic advising and individualized professional development support to NP students, helping them navigate program requirements, clinical placement challenges, and post-graduation career pathways
  • Serve as a professional role model demonstrating the clinical reasoning, ethical standards, interprofessional communication, and patient-centered care approach expected of advanced practice nurses
  • Conduct regular office hours and maintain accessibility to students throughout the academic term to support engagement, progress, and timely resolution of academic concerns
  • Support students in preparing for national NP certification examinations including AANP and ANCC credentialing requirements

Research, Scholarship, and Service

  • Participate in scholarly activities including research, peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and practice improvement projects that advance nursing practice and education
  • Engage in departmental committees, faculty governance, curriculum review bodies, and program assessment initiatives aligned with the institution’s mission and accreditation requirements
  • Contribute to community and professional service activities including involvement with professional nursing organizations, clinical partnerships, and state or national nursing policy initiatives
  • Maintain and strengthen clinical practice expertise through ongoing engagement with advanced practice nursing, staying current with clinical guidelines, prescribing practices, and specialty-specific developments

Education, Credentials, and Experience

Required Credentials

Education Doctoral degree in Nursing (DNP or PhD) from an accredited institution; specialty preparation aligned with teaching assignment
Licensure and Certification Active, unencumbered RN and APRN license; current national NP certification (AANP or ANCC) in specialty area; minimum 3 years NP clinical practice
EducationDNP or PhD in Nursing from an accredited institution
Licensure and CertificationActive RN and APRN; NP national certification (AANP or ANCC); 3+ years NP clinical practice

Skills and Abilities

  • Expertise in curriculum design, evidence-based instructional methods, and the use of educational technologies for both in-person and online graduate nursing program delivery
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage effectively with students, clinical preceptors, community partners, and institutional leadership
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in both clinical practice and academic settings, and to fostering a respectful and supportive learning environment for all students

Preferred Qualifications

  • Prior teaching experience in a graduate nursing or advanced practice nursing education program, including development and delivery of didactic and clinical components
  • Experience with simulation-based education, high-fidelity patient simulation, or standardized patient programs in an NP educational context
  • Active clinical practice as an NP, maintained concurrently with the faculty role, in a specialty area relevant to the program
  • Experience with CCNE or ACEN accreditation processes, including self-study preparation, outcomes assessment, and program improvement planning

What We Are Looking For

Advanced Practice Expertise

Current, active NP clinical knowledge and credential standing that gives students credibility in their instructor and ensures instruction reflects the realities of advanced practice in today’s healthcare environment.

Graduate Pedagogy

Ability to design and deliver graduate-level instruction that develops sophisticated clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice skills, and the professional identity required of a nurse practitioner.

Clinical Placement Oversight

Skill in identifying, vetting, and supporting clinical preceptors and practicum sites, and in guiding students through the practical challenges of completing required clinical hours in real-world advanced practice settings.

Scholarly Engagement

Ongoing commitment to research, publication, and scholarly activity that contributes to the evidence base for nursing practice and education and models the intellectual standards expected of graduate nursing students.

Accreditation Fluency

Working knowledge of CCNE and ACEN accreditation requirements for graduate nursing programs, and the ability to develop, assess, and continuously improve curriculum that meets or exceeds those standards.

Student-Centered Mentorship

Investment in graduate students as developing professionals, providing the individualized guidance, honest assessment, and genuine encouragement that helps NP students navigate both academic demands and the transition to advanced practice roles.

  • Advanced Practice Expertise: current NP clinical knowledge that ensures instruction reflects the realities of advanced practice today
  • Graduate Pedagogy: ability to develop clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice skills, and professional NP identity through graduate instruction
  • Clinical Placement Oversight: skill in supporting preceptors and guiding students through clinical hour requirements in real-world settings
  • Scholarly Engagement: ongoing research and publication that models intellectual standards for graduate nursing students
  • Accreditation Fluency: working knowledge of CCNE and ACEN requirements and ability to develop compliant, continuously improving curriculum
  • Student-Centered Mentorship: investment in developing NP students as professionals navigating academic and advanced practice transitions

Salary and Benefits

This position offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience, credentials, and rank, along with a comprehensive benefits package. The institution is committed to supporting faculty in maintaining active clinical engagement and ongoing scholarly development alongside their teaching responsibilities.

SalaryCompetitive, commensurate with rank, credentials, and experience
Health BenefitsComprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
RetirementInstitutional retirement plan with employer contribution
Research SupportStartup funds, grant support, and scholarly development resources
Clinical PracticeSupport for maintaining active NP practice alongside faculty duties
ClassificationFull-time; tenure-track or clinical track depending on position
SalaryCompetitive, commensurate with rank, credentials, and experience
BenefitsComprehensive health, retirement, research support, and clinical practice support
ClassificationFull-time; tenure-track or clinical track depending on position

How to Apply

This institution is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community. Applicants from all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply. Excelon Associates is managing this search on behalf of the client institution. All submissions are handled confidentially.

  1. Submit a detailed cover letter highlighting your teaching philosophy, clinical background, and scholarly contributions or interests
  2. Provide a current curriculum vitae (CV) including evidence of teaching experience, clinical credentials, and any scholarly activity
  3. Provide contact information for three professional references familiar with your clinical, teaching, or scholarly work
  4. Selected candidates will be invited for a confidential conversation with the Excelon Associates search team and, if advancing, a campus interview and teaching demonstration

For inquiries or nominations, contact Excelon Associates at +1 (828) 417-7094 or via the Start a Search page.

NP program faculty occupy a rare position in healthcare education: they are clinicians who understand advanced practice from the inside, and educators who can translate that understanding into the competencies that produce safe, skilled, independent practitioners.

FAQ: Nurse Practitioner Program Faculty

QWhat degree is required to teach in a nurse practitioner program?
Most accredited NP programs require faculty to hold a doctoral degree in nursing, either a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in nursing or a closely related field. This requirement is driven by CCNE and ACEN accreditation standards for graduate nursing programs. Some programs may consider candidates with an MSN and a DNP in progress for certain adjunct or clinical faculty roles.
QWhat certifications does an NP program faculty member need?
NP program faculty typically require current national certification as a Nurse Practitioner in their specialty area, an active and unencumbered RN and APRN license in the applicable state, and a minimum of three years of clinical NP practice. Common certifying bodies include AANP and ANCC. Faculty who maintain active clinical practice alongside their teaching roles are generally preferred and in some programs required.
QWhat are the primary responsibilities of NP program faculty?
NP program faculty are responsible for curriculum development and assessment, classroom and simulation-based instruction, oversight of student clinical practica and preceptored experiences, student advising and mentorship, scholarly activity, and departmental service including committee work and accreditation participation. Graduate nursing faculty also typically support students in preparing for AANP and ANCC national certification examinations.
QDo NP faculty need to maintain clinical practice while teaching?
Many nursing programs encourage or require NP faculty to maintain at least a part-time clinical practice. This ensures that faculty knowledge remains current, that they maintain their APRN certifications, and that they can speak with students from a position of active professional experience. The extent of clinical practice expectation varies by institution and appointment type, with clinical track positions typically carrying a higher clinical practice expectation than tenure-track roles.
QHow does Excelon Associates recruit NP program faculty?
Excelon Associates conducts retained searches for NP program faculty positions at colleges and universities nationwide. Our process includes proactive outreach to qualified NP educators and clinicians who may not be actively seeking new positions, rigorous credential verification, and a structured search process designed to identify candidates whose clinical expertise, teaching philosophy, and scholarly interests align with each institution’s specific program needs and culture.

Need to Hire NP Program Faculty?

Excelon Associates recruits nurse practitioner faculty, advanced practice nursing educators, and graduate nursing program leaders for colleges and universities nationwide. Whether you need a single faculty appointment or are building out an entire NP program team, we connect you with doctorally prepared, clinically credentialed candidates. Headquartered in Asheville, NC. Retained search since 2007.