Nurse Faculty Loan Program - The United States continues to face a critical shortage of qualified nurse faculty, limiting the capacity of nursing programs to educate the next generation of registered nurses and contributing to ongoing healthcare workforce shortages. Virginia’s nurse faculty vacancy rate of 8.2% exceeds the national average of 7.2% (AACN, 2026), with an even greater impact at Radford University, where 25% of full-time nursing faculty positions are currently vacant. To address this critical workforce challenge, Radford University’s College of Nursing proposes implementation of the Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP), a comprehensive and sustainable initiative designed to recruit, prepare, and support graduate-prepared nurses pursuing careers as nursing faculty. Over the four-year project period, NFLP funding will provide financial assistance to eligible students enrolled in advanced practice nursing and Post-MSN/Post-Professional Certificate programs who demonstrate commitment to pursuing nurse faculty roles upon graduation. NFLP supported students will complete formal preparation in nursing education, including coursework focused on the professional role of the nurse educator, curriculum design, evidence-based instructional strategies, assessment and evaluation, and a supervised teaching practicum. These educational experiences will develop the pedagogical knowledge and skills necessary for successful transition from clinical expert to effective nurse educator. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to pursue certification as Certified Nurse Educator (CNE®). Students will receive structured academic advising, faculty mentorship, career coaching, and post-graduation support for 12 months to facilitate transition into faculty positions and successful completion of the NFLP service obligation. The program will leverage Radford University’s established academic infrastructure, experienced nursing faculty, and extensive academic-practice partnerships to support recruitment, student success, faculty preparation, and employment pathways. Partnerships with regional healthcare organizations, Virginia community colleges, and academic institutions will enhance identification of prospective nurse educators, provide teaching and clinical education opportunities, and strengthen faculty workforce connections throughout Virginia. Comprehensive evaluation and continuous quality improvement processes will monitor recruitment, enrollment, student progression, program completion, employment outcomes, loan management, service obligation fulfillment, and long-term retention in nurse faculty roles. Through intentional financial support, educational preparation, mentorship, and sustained academic-practice collaboration, the NFLP will strengthen the nurse faculty pipeline, expand the number of qualified nurse educators and clinical preceptors, and increase nursing education capacity. Serving a diverse student population across Virginia, including a 26-county region in Central Appalachia experiencing significant healthcare workforce shortages (HRSA, 2026), Radford University is positioned to address regional and national nursing education needs. By preparing practice-informed nurse faculty and reducing financial barriers to academic careers, the NFLP will contribute to a sustainable nursing workforce and improved healthcare outcomes throughout the Commonwealth and beyond.
