“The loss of nursing faculty is no longer just a concern—it is a reality. Community colleges are essential for training the next generation of nurses, providing accessible education to diverse students who fill critical healthcare roles. However, faculty attrition due to heavy workloads and pay disparities threatens the sustainability of nursing programs and, by extension, the healthcare workforce.”
I am writing to highlight the urgent challenges facing the Nursing Program at CCCC, a situation likely shared by other community colleges. The loss of nursing faculty is no longer just a concern—it is a reality. Community colleges are essential for training the next generation of nurses, providing accessible education to diverse students who fill critical healthcare roles. However, faculty attrition due to heavy workloads and pay disparities threatens the sustainability of nursing programs and, by extension, the healthcare workforce.
One primary reason for this attrition is the overwhelming workload of nursing faculty. Teaching at a community college involves much more than lecturing. Faculty must create curricula for lectures, labs, and clinicals, assess students across all environments, maintain accreditation standards, mentor adjunct instructors, and stay current with evolving healthcare practices. Additionally, they supervise students in clinical settings, ensuring safety and practical learning. These responsibilities, combined, can lead to burnout and professional exhaustion, making it difficult to maintain high educational standards.
Another significant factor is the pay gap between community college faculty and clinical nurses. Nurses in hospitals and healthcare settings earn significantly higher salaries with fewer administrative duties. This disparity makes it hard to retain qualified educators, as many choose better-compensated clinical roles. As experienced faculty leave, fewer students can be accepted into programs, worsening the nursing shortage. At CCCC, 75% of nursing faculty have less than five years of teaching experience, highlighting the lack of stability in the program. Two faculty resigned this semester and at least five more are actively seeking other opportunities.
The loss of faculty compromises the quality of education. Overburdened instructors cannot provide the necessary attention to students, impacting the development of critical thinking and clinical skills. Additionally, the departure of seasoned educators leaves newer faculty without guidance, further destabilizing the program.
To address these challenges, community colleges must tackle both workload and compensation issues. Filling vacant positions, increasing funding, offering competitive salaries, and supporting faculty well-being are crucial. Building a sustainable work environment will help retain passionate educators committed to training future nurses.
In conclusion, the loss of nursing faculty at community colleges, driven by heavy workloads and insufficient pay, jeopardizes the ability to train new nurses and exacerbates the ongoing shortage. Immediate action is needed to prevent the collapse of the Nursing Program at CCCC and ensure the healthcare system has the skilled workforce it needs.