Experiences of Master of Nursing Education Students in Their Pursuit of Nursing Education

Abstract

Background: There is a growing concern in nursing education related to the shortage of nursing faculty. The experiences of nursing students, including their relationships with nursing faculty, could influence their decision to pursue graduate studies or academic nursing education. Method: This phenomenological study explored the experiences of Master of Science in Nursing education students and graduates that led them to pursue nursing education. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 participants. Results: Based on participants' responses, five themes emerged: (1) faculty encouragement, mentoring, and enthusiasm; (2) teaching experience; (3) exposure to the faculty role; (4) awareness of the nurse faculty shortage; and (5) funding. Conclusion: Findings from this study contribute to nursing education by highlighting strategies that could be reinforced into graduate or possibly undergraduate experiences to encourage students to pursue advanced study and academic nursing education, which potentially could help mitigate the nursing faculty shortage. [ J Nurs Educ . 2023;62(7):393–398.]