Encore: Work that matters in the second half of life.

It came as a surprise to me when I learned that the problem (at least a big one) underlying the nursing shortage in this country is a shortage of nursing faculty to teach students interested in entering the field. A solution that came to mind immediately was the opportunity for older nurses to take up encore careers as nursing faculty in greater numbers.

The latest Chronicle of Higher Education reports the positive outcomes of a study of online Doctorates for nurses.

Even more fascinating is the discussion thread that follows the article.

Another solution is being pursued by Owensboro Community College, an Encore College grantee. The college plans to train experienced nurses in an Adjunct Boot Camp to quickly move into nursing faculty roles at their college.

Are required doctorates too high a hurdle for nursing education as one responder suggests? Is online learning part of the answer for degree seekers who are still working? Are adjunct community college nursing faculty boot camps (presumably without requirement for a PhD) a good solution?

Check it out and let us know what you think about this as an avenue for
older nurses who want a new way to contribute their talent and
experience.