Position Summary:

Job Description:

Western Colorado University invites applicants for Director of the Nursing Education Program. This is a faculty position with the opportunity for a tenure-track appointment as Assistant/Associate Professor for candidates with a terminal degree. The successful candidate will serve as the founding director of the new Nursing Education Program (DNEP), leading efforts in accreditation, recruitment/retention, and program building. We seek applicants who are committed to undergraduate education, who can teach introductory as well as advanced nursing courses to a diverse community of students and provide meaningful mentoring to students through career readiness and clinical rotation placements. Candidates with a passion for teaching excellence in nursing are desired.  In addition, candidates with experience in and a desire to build new programs are encouraged to apply.

Please note that the required attachments identified below must be included with your electronic application.

For more information on the Nursing major, visit our website at https://western.edu/program/pre-nursing/

RESPONSIBILITIES:    The successful candidate will serve as the DNEP with emphasis placed on accreditation and program growth by supporting and promoting curricular innovation and instructional excellence in the field. The successful candidate will build connections across Colorado to ensure adequate clinical rotation placements for students. The successful candidate will advise students who are interested in nursing. This new faculty member will have 60% reassign as DNEP and teach two classes per semester, and be expected to maintain an active program of professional activity and university service. Additional DNEP responsibilities include the following:

• Insuring and documenting the Nursing Education Program’s compliance with the Nurse and Nurse Aide Practice Act, the Board’s Rules and Regulations, and all other state or federal regulations.
• Providing a current written job description to the Board for all Faculty positions.
• Developing and maintaining the relationship between the Nursing Education Program and the Governing Body, including but not limited to acting as liaison with other programs within the Governing Body and with other Nursing Education Programs.
• Demonstrating leadership within the Faculty for the development, implementation and evaluation of the curriculum and other Nursing Education Program components.
• Participating in the budget planning process for and administering the Nursing Education Program budget.
• Recruiting and selecting Faculty for employment, designing and monitoring development plans for Faculty, conducting performance reviews of Faculty, and participating in Faculty promotion and retention.
• Developing and coordinating the use of educational facilities and clinical resources.
• Identifying and advocating for services needed by students in the Nursing Education Program.
• Acting as liaison with the Board.
• Developing and maintaining ongoing relationships within the community, including fostering the Nursing Education Program's responsiveness to community/employer needs.
• Participating in activities that facilitate the DNEP's professional expertise in the areas of administration, teaching and maintenance of nursing competence.
• Determining the need for additional Faculty release time for administrative duties.
• The Board recognizes that the foregoing responsibilities may be delegated to other persons. However, the DNEP is responsible to the Board for assuring compliance with these requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• An active unencumbered license to practice as a registered nurse in Colorado.
• Documented knowledge and skills related to teaching adults, teaching methodology, curriculum development, and curriculum evaluation.
• Two years of full-time, or equivalent, clinical experience as a practicing registered nurse.
• Two years of full-time, or equivalent, teaching experience in a bachelors or graduate approved Nursing Education Program.
• A minimum of a graduate degree in Nursing from a Nursing Education Program with national nursing accreditation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• For a tenure-track appointment, the candidate must have a terminal degree in Nursing.
• Prior experience leading a nursing education program.
• Prior experience developing a new nursing education program.

SALARY/BENEFITS:     $100,000 to $132,500, commensurate with qualifications and experience for rank. Western offers an excellent benefits package including shared premiums for a comprehensive health insurance plan, dental insurance, retirement plan, life insurance, and other insurance options. After one year of employment, Western provides free tuition for dependents enrolled full-time in undergraduate programs for up to four years.

START DATE:              August 2024

WHAT YOU NEED TO APPLY:  Required attachments to the application include: cover letter, curriculum vitae, copies of graduate transcripts including licensure, if applicable, statement of teaching philosophy addressing overall approach and particular areas of interest and expertise, and a reference list with names and contact information of three references.

- Please direct questions to Dr. Lance Dalleck at [email protected] or (970) 943-7132.

- Screening of applications will begin and continue until the position is filled.

Note: If transcripts are required for your application, you may redact information that identifies your age, date of birth, dates of attendance, or graduation from the educational institution. If a degree is required for employment, official transcripts (unopened or delivered directly to HR) are required upon hire; copies/scans submitted during application will not serve the purpose of official transcripts upon hire.

Additional Information on Western and Gunnison/Crested Butte

Western Colorado University is a public institution with an enrollment of ~3,700 graduate and undergraduate students, the majority of which reside on the campus and in the community.  With average class sizes of 17 students, faculty and staff share a strong commitment to inclusivity and personalized, immersive education. They are student-oriented, collegial, enthusiastic, and engaged in the campus and community. Western is committed to continual growth in regard to diversity, equity, and inclusivity and promotes participation in DEI initiatives from students, faculty, staff, and the community. Please see our diversity statement, and our DEI Committee charge.

The University is located in Gunnison, Colorado, a rural community 200 miles southwest of Denver and the gateway to Crested Butte, a world class ski community. K-12 students are served by the award-winning Gunnison Watershed School District. Both communities value the arts, quality of life, community-based wrap around services for children and adults, and continued personal growth and learning opportunities. At an elevation of 7,700 feet in the southern Rocky Mountains, the Gunnison Valley provides exceptional year-round outdoor recreational and cultural opportunities including summer arts and music festivals, mountain biking, skiing, kayak/rafting, rock climbing, hiking and camping… all within minutes of the campus.

Visit http://www.western.edu to learn more about the university.

An Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets.

Western Colorado University believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Western is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (for state classified positions, with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. Please see our diversity statement, and our DEII Committee charge.

 
ADAAA ACCOMMODATIONS:

Western Colorado University is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Western will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to the Office of Human Resources at [email protected] or (970) 943-3140

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETERANS

Western Colorado University believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. Western is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (for state classified positions, with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. Please see our diversity statement, and our DEII Committee charge.

 
ADAAA ACCOMMODATIONS:

Western Colorado University is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Western will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to the Office of Human Resources at [email protected] or (970) 943-3140.

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETERANS