RUTHERFORD, NJ—Faculty shortages at U.S. nursing schools are limiting student capacity at a time when the need for registered nurses continues to grow, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. To help minimize the impact of nursing faculty shortages in New Jersey, Felician University’s School of Nursing has answered the call with a unique Nursing Education track within the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.

The nursing profession continues to face a critical shortage of qualified nurse educators, which directly impacts our ability to prepare the next generation of nurses. As healthcare systems expand and nursing school applications continue to rise, the need for qualified nursing faculty has never been greater.

Meeting Workforce Needs

Felician University’s DNP with Nursing Education track addresses this workforce need by preparing experienced nurses to become innovative educators, curriculum leaders, and academic change agents.

As the only DNP with Nursing Education track currently offered in New Jersey, this program fills a significant gap in graduate nursing education. It provides nurses with a pathway to advance their careers while developing the educational expertise necessary to shape the future of nursing practice and healthcare delivery.

“What excites me most about this program is its potential to multiply impact,” explains Dr. Patricia Munno, Interim Dean/Associate Professor/DNP Program Director. “Every graduate of the DNP with Nursing Education track will influence not only the patients they serve, but also the countless nursing students and healthcare professionals they will educate throughout their careers. By preparing expert nurse educators, we are investing in the future of the nursing profession itself.”

Preparing Future Leaders

“The new DNP program combines advanced clinical knowledge, educational leadership, curriculum innovation, and evidence-based practice in a way that empowers graduates to transform nursing education and ultimately improve healthcare outcomes,” Dr. Munno says.

Graduates of the DNP with Nursing Education track will be prepared for a wide range of leadership and educator roles across academic and healthcare settings.

Career opportunities include:

• Faculty positions in undergraduate and graduate nursing programs
• Clinical educator and staff development specialist roles within healthcare organizations
• Curriculum design and instructional leadership positions
• Program evaluation and accreditation leadership roles
• Workforce development and continuing education leadership
• Academic administration and educational leadership positions
• Healthcare simulation and educational technology leadership roles

In addition to preparing graduates for faculty and educator positions, the program equips nurses with the skills to lead organizational change, evaluate educational outcomes, develop innovative curricula, and influence the future direction of nursing education. Graduates will be uniquely positioned to address the growing demand for nurse educators while advancing educational excellence across academic and clinical environments.

The DNP with Nursing Education track embodies Felician University’s commitment to service, leadership, and educational excellence. “It is more than a degree program,” Dr. Munno says. “It is an investment in the future of nursing, ensuring that tomorrow’s nurses are taught by expert educators who are prepared to lead, innovate, and transform healthcare through education.”

For more information, see DNP Nursing Education Track.

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About Felician University

Felician University is committed to supporting academic success at any stage of life. With over 2,700 undergraduate, graduate, and adult education students enrolled across the Schools of Arts & Sciences, Business & Information Sciences, Nursing, and Education, Felician provides diverse learning experiences that equip all students with the skills to meet the demands of today’s society. Over the past five years, Felician University has consistently ranked 3rd among private institutions in New Jersey for best value according to payscale.com and Money Magazine and has been recognized as one of the best college locations in New Jersey (#4) according to niche.com. Our Master of Science in Nursing program is ranked one of the best online graduate nursing programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and the Princeton Review. We are proud to be designated as a Military Friendly School (Gold Status) for the fifteenth year, a testament to our dedicated support of Veteran students. Our diversity as an HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) and MSI (Minority Serving Institution), with underrepresented students comprising more than half of the student population, reflects our inclusive and supportive environment and earned us a spot on Washington Monthly’s Top 100 HSI list (#30). With campuses in Rutherford and Lodi, New Jersey, our Franciscan values of respect for human dignity, compassion, and social justice are woven into the very foundation and development of tomorrow’s leaders. Felician University is sponsored by Felician Sisters International.  For more information, please visit https://felician.edu.