Nursing Instructors

Several developments will create good employment opportunities for nursing instructors. The U.S. Department of Labor projects that employment growth for registered nurses will be faster than the average through 2033. In addition, those practicing nursing specialties will also be in great demand. Because of this, there will be a corresponding demand for the nursing instructor profession, which will see employment rise 17.9 percent through 2033.

The AACN reports that 65,766 qualified applicants were not accepted to baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in 2023, due to schools having an insufficient number of faculty. As more students apply to nursing school, more nursing instructors will be needed to teach students and make up for staffing shortages. Additionally, the average age of full-time nursing professors with doctorates was 61.2 in 2023, according to the AACN. Since the average age at retirement in this profession, as measured in an earlier survey, is 62.5, this is another reason that many more nursing instructors will be needed. Citing a Nursing Outlook article by Drs. Di Fang and Karen Kesten, the AACN reported that "one third of the current nursing faculty workforce in baccalaureate and graduate programs are expected to retire by 2025."