The shortage of nursing faculty is a key barrier to addressing the broader nursing shortage, as many graduate-prepared nurses lack formal training in education and are often hired based on clinical or research expertise rather than teaching experience. Without structured preparation or mentoring, new faculty frequently struggle to adapt to academic roles and leave at high rates due to low pay, heavy workloads, and unclear expectations. Implementing comprehensive onboarding programs tailored to different faculty roles may help schools better support, retain, and develop new nursing educators.

This article examines the scope, characteristics, and effectiveness of faculty onboarding programs in nursing education.