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Job outlook for assistant professors of nursing in the United States
Assistant professor of nursing job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected assistant professor of nursing job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 159,400 new jobs for assistant professors of nursing are projected over the next decade.
Assistant professor of nursing salaries have increased 9% for assistant professors of nursing in the last 5 years.
There are over 9,389 assistant professors of nursing currently employed in the United States.
There are 106,842 active assistant professor of nursing job openings in the US.
The average assistant professor of nursing salary is $74,124.
Are assistant professor of nursing jobs in demand?
Assistant professor of nursing job and salary trends over time
Assistant professor of nursing jobs over time
Assistant professor of nursing job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,389 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 8,429 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 8,233 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 7,685 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 7,667 | 0.00% |
Average assistant professor of nursing salary over time
Assistant professor of nursing salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $74,124 | $35.64 | +1.2% |
| 2024 | $73,269 | $35.23 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $72,179 | $34.70 | +3.1% |
| 2022 | $69,989 | $33.65 | +3.1% |
| 2021 | $67,897 | $32.64 | +2.4% |
Assistant professor of nursing jobs by state
Most common states for assistant professors of nursing
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 496 | 37% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 473 | 35% |
| 3 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 257 | 30% |
| 4 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 527 | 29% |
| 5 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,368 | 25% |
| 6 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 476 | 25% |
| 7 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 712 | 23% |
| 8 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 162 | 23% |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,484 | 22% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,239 | 22% |
| 11 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 650 | 22% |
| 12 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 871 | 21% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 220 | 21% |
| 14 | Vermont | 623,657 | 134 | 21% |
| 15 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,706 | 20% |
| 16 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,132 | 19% |
| 17 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 857 | 19% |
| 18 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 200 | 19% |
| 19 | Delaware | 961,939 | 187 | 19% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 137 | 18% |
Most common cities for assistant professors of nursing
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beverly | 2 | 5% | $71,069 |
| 2 | Amherst | 1 | 3% | $74,149 |
| 3 | Lewiston | 1 | 3% | $74,711 |
| 4 | Coral Gables | 1 | 2% | $79,024 |
| 5 | Fitchburg | 1 | 2% | $72,063 |
| 6 | Jefferson City | 1 | 2% | $59,840 |
| 7 | Washington | 8 | 1% | $105,224 |
| 8 | Anchorage | 2 | 1% | $82,719 |
| 9 | Naperville | 2 | 1% | $61,029 |
| 10 | Saint Paul | 2 | 1% | $59,189 |
| 11 | Flagstaff | 1 | 1% | $64,617 |
| 12 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $84,209 |
| 13 | Buffalo | 1 | 0% | $77,357 |
| 14 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $61,296 |
| 15 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $73,848 |
| 16 | Fort Wayne | 1 | 0% | $85,782 |
| 17 | New Orleans | 1 | 0% | $78,564 |
Assistant Professor Of Nursing job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of assistant professor of nursing experts
Tiffin University
College of the Marshall Islands
University of South Florida
Saint Xavier University
Bethune-Cookman University
Utah Valley University
The University of Rhode Island
College of Charleston
Arkansas Tech University
University of Central Missouri
Franklin and Marshall College
AGWA - American Grant Writers' Association, Inc.
Texas State University
Kent State University
Seattle University
California University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Stephanie Opfer
Associate Professor of English, Assistant Dean of the School of Creative and Media ArtsTiffin University
Visual And Performing Arts
What Assistant Professor Of Nursing skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Stephanie Opfer: Flexibility and adaptability will be the biggest skills instructors will need. The state of higher education is changing, and the 'ivory tower' is going away. Colleges and universities are starting to focus more on career-oriented programs, which include practical and application skill sets. In order to stay relevant, the focus of humanities classes like art and film should be on teaching students analysis, synthesis, and other critical-thinking skills. The content becomes less important and becomes only the vehicle for teaching these skills.
What will help Assistant Professors Of Nursing increase their earning potential?
Dr. Stephanie Opfer: Unfortunately, teaching as an adjunct does not pay well. Students should keep their full-time jobs and teach part-time until they find a full-time job at a college or university. That part-time teaching provides them valuable experience and connections that make them more competitive candidates for full-time positions because they'd also be competing with candidates who have PhDs. So adjunct work is more of a long-term investment rather than an immediate return. Also, even full-time teaching jobs don't pay particularly well, so they'll really need to love teaching if they want to do it full-time. If they don't like teaching as an adjunct, they won't like doing it full-time.
What will help Assistant Professors Of Nursing increase their earning potential?
Alexander Velasquez: I think everyone should look into their career fields and find out what it is that makes you more valuable in that field. Are there any certifications that you can get? What is it that you need to know or learn that companies will find valuable? Much can be learned online, so pick up as many of those skills as you can, and make sure they're on your resume or CV. I believe all those things could maximize salary potential, especially when starting out.
What soft skills should all Assistant Professors Of Nursing possess?
Lee Braver: Soft skills are most important to working once one has gotten a job rather than important to getting a job since those are quite difficult to discern from applications and brief interviews. That is one of the reasons schools can be wary of hiring with tenure; a person could look great on paper but be a nightmare to work with, and you're stuck with them.
I believe that tenacity, organizational skills and time management, and the ability to work long hours are crucial to getting tenure and succeeding in academia more broadly, in some ways more important than raw intelligence (if such a notion is coherent). Failure and rejection are endemic to the job; anyone who gets discouraged easily will do so. One must persevere in the face of sometimes harsh criticism and hostile conditions (especially now that much of the country has turned against higher education and the humanities in particular), and one must be able to juggle multiple responsibilities that make considerable time demands. In this, the tenure track resembles other early-career positions, such as medical residency or working towards partnership in a law firm. The untenured often must do the scut work that no one else wants to do, made more difficult by the fact that they are frantically trying to learn on the job with little to no guidance. It is not at all unusual for early-career professors to teach 4 classes per semester, at least some of which are new and/or large, do all the grading for them, serve on multiple committees, and write for elusive publications, all at once.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Assistant Professors Of Nursing?
Lee Braver: Well, a Ph.D. is necessary, although one can sometimes be hired within striking distance of it. The ability to teach so as to bring students to the major and get high student evaluations are often requirements at teaching schools while writing well enough to publish, often in journals with single-digit acceptance rates, is crucial to research schools. Comfort with technology is becoming more and more important.
What skills will help Assistant Professors Of Nursing earn the most?
Lee Braver: Let's see-an M.B.A., the ability to pick winning lottery numbers, being repelled by the humanities so that one goes into business-those would be pretty useful for making money. No one should go into academia for the money, not just not for wealth but even for a comfortable living, which is becoming more difficult to achieve in America in general. It is nearly impossible to make a living as an adjunct professor, which is where the profession is heading. There are many good-paying jobs, but those tend to congregate at the elite schools, the ones that emphasize research the most, and these are the fewest and hardest to get. Worse-paying jobs are also hard to come by, and the competition is just getting stiffer as more Ph.D.'s get dumped into the market each year which is itself accreting all those who did not land jobs in the previous years. At many institutions, raises are minimal since jobs are so hard to come by, and there's little else that rewards a humanities Ph.D. The only way to get a substantial raise is to get a credible offer from another institution and hope that yours wants to keep you enough to overbid them; otherwise, you're stuck, especially after getting tenure, and they know it. That's why tenure is called "golden handcuffs," though I think a better name might be something like velvet handcuffs, given gold's connotation of wealth.
What skills stand out on Assistant Professor Of Nursing resumes?
Lee Braver: Colleges and universities fall into different categories which value different skills and accomplishments. The most obvious division is between schools that emphasize research and those that pride themselves on their teaching. Research institutions are looking for scholars who can publish a lot in exclusive journals and presses, thereby enhancing their reputation. They are looking for evidence of research skills: publications, awards, letters of recommendation that praise the candidate's writing and thinking. Teaching schools, on the other hand, are looking for excellent teachers. In the buyer's market we now have, they can require high research ability as well, but some will actually be scared off by too much research. They will worry that the candidate will focus on their research instead of their teaching and that they will seek to leave as soon as they can. These schools are typically looking for teaching experience, high student evaluations, and letters that single out these qualities for praise, whereas research schools typically don't care a lot about these sorts of things. Thus, the qualities one type of institution values, the other can be apathetic towards or even avoid. Teaching schools far outnumber research schools, so there are far more jobs in the former than in the latter.
What technical skills for an Assistant Professor Of Nursing stand out to employers?
Michele Poradzisz Ph.D.: Employers of new nurses typically are more interested in thinking skills rather than technical skills. Nurses must be able to apply critical thinking skills to clinical situations. Nurses are constantly called upon to problem-solve, troubleshoot and make clinical decisions under changing conditions. The faculty of the BSN program at Saint Xavier University have developed a curriculum that focuses on important concepts that apply across the lifespan and health care settings. These concepts cover a spectrum that ranges from physiological to psychological and social. Nursing students learn to apply these concepts in the classroom, lab and clinical practicum through case studies, simulated clinical situations and direct patient care. Through these activities, nursing students learn how to "think like a nurse." They have a foundation to build on as they gain practical experience in the work setting.
Employers also seek nurses who have good assessment skills. Assessment is always the starting point for nursing action and involves specific skills such as listening to heart and lung sounds, but even more importantly, assessment requires skill in therapeutic communication techniques, which are used to determine the patient's history and perceptions of their current health-related problems. In Saint Xavier's BSN program, sophomore students learn basic assessment skills that focus on a holistic approach to assessment and application to people of all ages. Students hone these skills during their clinical practicum and lab experiences in junior and senior years.
Because technology is always changing, nurses must be able to continually adapt to new equipment, computer software, and procedures. Employers know that a new nurse will not be familiar with everything, and therefore orientation to an agency always includes the policies and procedures, equipment, electronic medical record and other computer software programs used in that setting. But characteristics such as flexibility, resiliency, adaptability and compassion are key to the nurse's success. Compassion is one of Saint Xavier's core values, and our curriculum embodies the service-focused mission laid by our Sisters of Mercy so that our nurses are able to provide exemplary care.
Sameh Ghareeb
Assistant ProfessorBethune-Cookman University
L. Gale Lemerand School of Nursing
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Assistant Professor Of Nursing job market given the pandemic?
Sameh Ghareeb: Two of the biggest trends in nursing jobs because of the pandemic are overtime hours and the outburst of travel nursing jobs.
The increase of numbers of admitting patients to the hospital has significantly increased the need of nurses. This made hospitals request nurses to work additional shifts, in which many nurses worked 48-60 hrs/wk.
In addition, the need for nurses, pushed hospitals to hire more nurses. But as there is a shortage in nursing, nursing travel agency work outbursts.
What technical skills for an Assistant Professor Of Nursing stand out to employers?
Sameh Ghareeb: As hospitals had to hire more nurses, it was a challenge for employers to educate new nurses on the hospitals' documentation systems and hospital policies in a very short period. Orientation for new nurses usually takes at least a week. Because of the pandemic, educators in hospitals had to shorten orientations to be done within 1-2 days, which is a huge challenge.
How have salaries changed over time for Assistant Professors Of Nursing?
Francine Jensen: Salaries are often tied to the region where you work, so think carefully about where you decide to practice. Working night shifts and weekends will net you a dollar or two more an hour. One useful strategy to grow your wage is to regularly change your employment situation and negotiate your starting salary. Additionally, once you are in advanced roles in nursing, your salary will increase, so consider when the best time is to go back to school.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Assistant Professor Of Nursing job market given the pandemic?
Barbara Wolfe Ph.D.: The need for RNs and advanced practice nurses (APRNs) is in great demand. Based on data from The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of registered nurses (RNs) is expected to increase by 7% and the need for nurse practitioners and other APRNs is expected to increase by 45% in the next eight or so years.
There is a significant need for nursing faculty. Currently there is a national nurse faculty vacancy rate of > 7%. This will, no doubt, increase given the projected swell of retirements by 2025-as much as a third of the current faculty workforce. Thus, we will see an increase need for doctoral education to prepare these individuals for this career path.
What technical skills for an Assistant Professor Of Nursing stand out to employers?
Barbara Wolfe Ph.D.: Health care is rapidly changing, and the pandemic has contributed to some of these changes (e.g., the use of telehealth). Employers are looking for nurses who are able to adapt, innovate, and apply not only their technical skills, but also their knowledge and critical thinking to a variety of settings--particularly since most of health care is delivered in non-hospital environments.
How have salaries changed over time for Assistant Professors Of Nursing?
Barbara Wolfe Ph.D.: Clinical salaries have certainly increased over time. While this is good, it has drawn individuals away from a teaching career, which needs to be addressed if we are going to meet the demand for educating future nurses. Thousands of well-qualified applicants will continue to be turned away from nursing programs if this shortage persists.
What experience really stands out on Assistant Professor Of Nursing resumes?
Dr. Phyllis G. Jestice: The experience that most stands out on resumés, to my mind, is definitely internships or anything where the applicant has had to show initiative and exercise independent thought.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Assistant Professors Of Nursing in the next 3-5 years?
Sam Strasner: It will be fascinating to see if the pandemic convention of Zoom-style interviews becoming permissible for broadcast television and internet news websites will carry over in a post-pandemic world. If it does, distance technology interviews will open up a cost-efficient way to access a much greater variety of sources, stories, and content. I hope that is the case.
Dr. Klaire Brumbaugh
Assistant Professor, Director of Clinical ServicesUniversity of Central Missouri
Department of Communication Disorders
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Assistant Professors Of Nursing to find work opportunities?
Dr. Klaire Brumbaugh: I'm not sure what is available outside of my geographic region, but I would say wherever they end up, make sure there are mentorship opportunities. Make a plan with the clinical fellowship supervisor and stick to it.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Assistant Professors Of Nursing, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
David McMahan Ph.D.: Graduates in Religious Studies don't necessarily go into careers in religion. The standard career path for those involved is going to graduate school, spending several years getting a Ph.D., and facing a tough job market. Starting salaries can vary widely depending on the college or university.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Assistant Professor Of Nursing job market given the pandemic?
John Porter Ph.D.: This will depend on what happens in the next six months or so. If the economy stays open and business can operate as it did a year ago, the trend will be more positive. When the economy is working, people are more financially secure. They have money to donate to foundations, and corporations have more profits to put into their funding resources.
If the economic shutdown increases where both businesses and individuals earn less money, there will be less money available for grant funding. The majority of grant funding comes from donations by everyday individuals.
If the economic shutdown is prolonged, then there will be an increase in government grant programs. The government gets its financial resources for things like grants by taxation. So individual taxes will likely increase.
Another line to balance is the excessive taxation of the rich. Nearly all very wealthy people have established a foundation where they give some of their wealth to grant awards to community non-profit organizations. When the government increases the taxes on this group, the excess money goes to the government to spend rather than local non-profits.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Assistant Professors Of Nursing to find work opportunities?
Dr. Rodney Rohde Ph.D.: There are large vacancy rates all over the country. This is a good news/bad news issue. However, with a degree in medical laboratory science (also known as a clinical laboratory science) AND certification, one can find employment anywhere in the U.S. One of the great things about this career is that graduates honestly can decide where they "fit best" with regard to geography and employer (urban, rural, large, or small).
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Assistant Professors Of Nursing to find work opportunities?
Dr. Jay Dorfman: There are certainly some states with teacher shortages, but that is often because those states' political or economic climates make them less desirable as a place for teachers to work. If teachers' teaching conditions and salaries were improved, there would be more people interested in entering the profession. That said, I typically tell students that the broader their search for a job can be, the more likely they are to find a good fit.
Alexander Mouton
Chair, Associate ProfessorSeattle University
Department of Art, Art History & Design
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Assistant Professors Of Nursing?
Alexander Mouton: It is hard to tell how the coronavirus pandemic will affect graduates. Some I know are joining the workforce or doing creative work, which is a good sign. How this will play out will be interesting to see, though it's a little hard for me to judge from the classroom!
What type of skills will young Assistant Professors Of Nursing need?
Dr. Christina Fisanick: College graduates in 2021 and beyond need all of the skills that English programs have to offer: critical thinking, effective communication, creativity, and flexibility. New hires need to be able to adapt to workplace changes quickly and with aplomb, which requires critical thinking and problem solving and the ability to communicate those solutions to a diverse audience clearly and effectively. Those skills are refined and practiced regularly in English programs.