POSITION: 

Western Colorado University invites applications for two full-time faculty positions in the Nursing Education Program: One Lecturer (non-tenure track) and one tenure-track Assistant Professor faculty position. Both positions support the launch and growth of Western’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and involve didactic, laboratory, clinical, and simulation instruction. Teaching responsibilities may include courses such as Foundations of Nursing, Evidence-Based Nursing Practice, Health Promotion and Assessment Across the Lifespan, Nursing Care of Older Adults, Nursing Care of Children and Families, population health, and rural health nursing. Additional courses may be assigned based on program needs and candidate qualifications. 

The successful candidates will teach a 4/4 load, contribute to clinical supervision and advising, and participate in curriculum development and accreditation activities. Instruction in the clinical simulation laboratory is expected, with opportunities for leadership in simulation and program development. These positions are in-person, on-campus appointments. 

The Nursing Program emphasizes undergraduate education, rural and population health, clinical excellence, and student success through mentoring, simulation-based learning, and strong community partnerships. Faculty will collaborate closely with the Director of the Nursing Education Program on accreditation, curriculum implementation and evaluation, student recruitment and retention, and the continued development of clinical placements. 

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

*Per the Handbook for Professional Personnel, “Professional activity should be directed toward improving classroom teaching, involving students in research and scholarly activity, or enhancing the reputation of the University”.  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

For Tenure-Track Assistant Professor 

• Doctorate in Nursing from a nationally accredited nursing education program; 
  or a doctorate in a related field with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program and evidence that the graduate degree is relevant to the position 

• Evidence of professional activity appropriate to a tenure-track appointment, including scholarly, clinical, or program development contributions 

• Demonstrated commitment to undergraduate nursing education and teaching excellence 

For Lecturer 

• Master’s degree in Nursing from a nationally accredited nursing program (or BSN with a graduate degree in a related field and relevant experience) 

• Demonstrated commitment to undergraduate nursing education and student mentoring 

For Both Positions 

• Active, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in Colorado (or eligibility to obtain prior to start date) 

• Minimum of two years of full-time (or equivalent) clinical nursing experience 

• Ability to teach in classroom, lab, clinical, and simulation settings 

• Proficiency with instructional technologies, including hybrid and simulation-based delivery 

• Commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and student-centered learning environment 

• Collegiality, professional flexibility, and willingness to contribute to a growing academic program 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Experience in population health, rural health nursing, or community-based practice 

• Experience with clinical simulation design, delivery, and evaluation 

• Experience supporting or participating in CCNE or state accreditation processes 

• Experience developing new programs or curricula 

• Engagement with professional nursing organizations or continuing professional development 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

INSTRUCTION (Required for Both Positions) 

• Teach undergraduate nursing courses based on expertise and program needs 

• Supervise and evaluate students in clinical, community, rural, and simulation settings 

• Develop and refine curriculum and simulation experiences aligned with accreditation standards 

PROGRAM & UNIVERSITY SERVICE (Required for Both Positions) 

• Participate in accreditation reporting, curriculum assessment, and program evaluation 

• Support clinical placement coordination and community partnerships 

• Contribute to department, college, and university service and shared governance 

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY (Required for Tenure-Track Assistant Professor) 

• Engage in scholarly, clinical, or professional activities appropriate to a tenure-track appointment 

• Participate in professional organizations and conferences 

SALARY / BENEFITS:

Lecturer: $55,000–$70,000 annualized salary 

Tenure-Track Assistant Professor: $80,000–$85,000 annualized salary 

Western offers an excellent benefits package, including shared premiums for comprehensive health insurance, dental insurance, retirement plan, life insurance, and other insurance options. After one year of employment, Western provides free undergraduate tuition for dependents for up to four years. Western also offers local rental agreements, on a space available basis, for newly hired employees relocating to the Gunnison Valley, which may serve as bridge housing. 

START DATE: 

July 1, 2026  

APPLICATION: 

Apply online at www.western.edu/jobs. 

Required application materials include: 

• Letter of application 

• Curriculum vitae 

• Transcripts 

• Statement of teaching philosophy 

• Reference list with names and contact information of three references 

• If available and relevant, candidates are encouraged to submit teaching evaluations.  

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information. 

QUESTIONS: 

Please direct questions to: Elizabeth Roten – [email protected] 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 26, 2026 at 11:59pm (MST).

Additional Information on Western and Gunnison/Crested Butte  

Western Colorado University is a public institution with an enrollment of ~3,700 students. 47% of students are undergraduates, 33% are graduate students, and 80% receive some form of financial aid. Western students represent 17 countries, 50 states, and almost every county in Colorado. With an average class size of 17, Western’s faculty and staff share a strong commitment to personalized, rigorous, and immersive education. Visit http://www.western.edu to learn more about the university.  

Western Colorado University is located in Gunnison, Colorado, about 200 miles southwest of Denver amidst over 2 million acres of public land and a vibrant ranching community. The

Gunnison valley provides robust cultural programming and exceptional outdoor recreation. A network of dedicated community organizations enrich the lives of many in the tight-knit community. Living in the valley, one appreciates a vibrant culture of festivals, exhibitions, performances, wellness activities, and more. In the winter, many enjoy skiing at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and along dozens of miles of cross-country trails. In the summer, bikers, hikers, and runners explore 750-plus miles of singletrack trails, while others delight in fishing, boating, and paddleboarding at Blue Mesa Reservoir or on the Gunnison River and its tributaries. Pre-K-12 students are served by the highly-ranked Gunnison Watershed School District.  

Western Colorado University encourages qualified 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, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.