Faculty practice: What do the data show? Findings from the NONPF Faculty Practice Survey

This article reports on the findings of the NONPF (National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties) Faculty Practice Survey regarding promotion and tenure. Relevant issues related to tenure for practicing faculty are identified and discussed. Faculty practice has become an increasingly important and complex issue for academic institutions in relation to promotion and tenure. The purpose of this article is to examine the role and patterns of practice among tenured and nontenured faculty in academic nursing institutions and the variables associated with faculty promotion and tenure in these institutions. Method: A survey was mailed to the membership of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties to examine the differences between practicing faculty who were tenured and those who were nontenured and to identify predictors of tenure. A 50% response rate (N = 452) was obtained. Findings indicate that only 37% of the practicing faculty were tenured, and more than half (51%) reported that practice was not considered in promotion and tenure decisions at their institutions. The predictors of tenure included practice being considered in promotion and tenure and support for practice at the school of nursing level. Data on reasons faculty practice are also presented. Recommendations for including practice in promotion and tenure guidelines are discussed as well as the ramifications of administrative support for practice.