Associate Professor, Project & Practicums - Online DNP Program

At Chamberlain University, we believe nursing education transforms lives and strengthens communities. We are seeking an Associate Professor, Project & Practicums – Online DNP Program who is passionate about mentoring doctoral nursing students through the implementation of evidence-based practice projects, systems-level change initiatives, and practice-focused scholarship.

This faculty role plays a critical part in supporting the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student journey, particularly during the practicum and project implementation phases. The successful candidate will guide students through project execution, collaborate with preceptors and site partners, oversee practicum requirements, and contribute to the continuous improvement of Chamberlain's DNP curriculum. This position will serve as the course lead for DNP practicum coursework and provide leadership, coaching, and support to visiting professors and faculty teams.

What You'll Do

Lead DNP Project Implementation & Practicum Success

• Teach and facilitate DNP practicum and project-focused coursework in a highly interactive online learning environment.
• Guide students through the implementation phase of their DNP projects, ensuring project milestones, timelines, and outcomes are achieved.
• Mentor students as they apply evidence-based practice principles to address complex healthcare, leadership, quality, systems, and organizational challenges.
• Support students conducting a variety of DNP project types, including quality improvement, program evaluation, healthcare systems initiatives, and policy analysis projects.
• Provide timely feedback on project plans, implementation activities, evaluation methods, scholarly writing, and dissemination strategies.
• Monitor student progress and proactively intervene when challenges arise related to project execution, practicum requirements, or academic success.

Manage Practicum Partnerships & Compliance

• Collaborate with preceptors, practice site partners, and students to support successful practicum experiences.
• Establish and maintain processes to verify project implementation activities and practicum-hour completion.
• Evaluate practicum documentation and ensure compliance with university, accreditation, and program requirements.
• Foster strong relationships with clinical and organizational partners to support high-quality student experiences.
• Serve as a resource for students and preceptors regarding practicum expectations, project implementation, and professional practice standards.

Provide Faculty Leadership & Course Oversight

• Serve as Course Lead for NR707 and assigned doctoral-level coursework, including NR721: Healthcare Systems Leadership.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and performance feedback to visiting professors supporting assigned courses.
• Collaborate with academic leadership to ensure consistency in course delivery, grading practices, student engagement, and learning outcomes.
• Participate in course redevelopment and continuous quality improvement initiatives in preparation for future curriculum enhancements.
• Contribute subject matter expertise in project methodology, systems leadership, and practice-focused doctoral education.

Advance Curriculum & Academic Excellence

• Support ongoing enhancement of DNP project and practicum courses.
• Contribute expertise in program evaluation, organizational change, healthcare leadership, and policy analysis.
• Collaborate with faculty leaders to update course content, learning activities, and assessment strategies.
• Use student outcomes data, feedback, and emerging educational technologies to improve program effectiveness.
• Ensure adherence to accreditation, regulatory, and university standards.

University Service & Professional Engagement

• Serve on program committees, including the Project & Practicum Committee.
• Participate in national committees, academic workgroups, and professional service activities.
• Support university initiatives focused on student success, faculty excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Participate in faculty meetings, commencement activities, and program evaluation efforts.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role includes:

• Students successfully implementing and completing DNP projects according to program milestones.
• Strong student satisfaction, engagement, and retention within practicum and project courses.
• Effective collaboration with preceptors and practice sites.
• Accurate monitoring and verification of practicum experiences and project implementation activities.
• Consistent leadership and support of visiting professors and faculty teams.
• Contributions to course redevelopment, curriculum quality, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Demonstration of Chamberlain University's culture, values, and commitment to student-centered education.

Required Education

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with significant DNP project development, implementation and evaluation experience preferred.
• PhD in Nursing considered
• Education and experience must align with state and regulatory requirements for assigned teaching responsibilities.

Required Experience

• Minimum two (2) years of experience supporting, mentoring, teaching, or leading DNP projects.
• Demonstrated experience guiding DNP students through project development, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination.
• Experience with project types beyond quality improvement including program evaluation and policy analysis initiatives.
• Prior teaching experience in graduate or doctoral nursing education preferred.
• Experience serving as course lead, faculty leader, program coordinator, or similar academic leadership role preferred.
• Experience working with practicum programs, preceptors, or clinical partnerships strongly preferred.

Licensure & Certifications

• Current, active, and unencumbered Illinois RN license required.
• Multistate nursing licensure preferred.
• Ability to maintain all required licensure, certifications, and compliance requirements throughout employment.

Teaching & Leadership Competencies

• Deep understanding of DNP project methodology and practice-focused doctoral education.
• Expertise in project implementation, outcomes evaluation, and systems-level improvement initiatives.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and mentoring capabilities.
• Ability to oversee and support visiting professors and faculty colleagues.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple students, projects, and practicum relationships simultaneously.
• Commitment to fostering student success through engagement, accountability, and individualized support.

Technology & Innovation

• Proficiency with learning management systems and virtual learning platforms.
• Ability to leverage educational technologies, data, and emerging AI-enabled tools to improve student outcomes and faculty effectiveness.
• Strong adaptability within a rapidly evolving healthcare and higher education environment.

Professional Skills

• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building abilities.
• Sound judgment, initiative, and professional accountability.
• Ability to work effectively with students, preceptors, faculty leaders, and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and student-centered learning.

In support of the pay transparency laws enacted across the country, the expected salary range for this position is between $100,000 and $115,000. Actual pay will be adjusted based on job-related factors permitted by law, such as experience and training; geographic location; licensure and certifications; market factors; departmental budgets; and responsibility. Our Talent Acquisition Team will be happy to answer any questions you may have, and we look forward to learning more about your salary requirements. The position qualifies for the below benefits.

Covista offers a robust suite of benefits including:

• Health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
• 401k Retirement Program + 6% employer match
• Participation in Covista’s Flexible Time Off (FTO) Policy
• 12 Paid Holidays
  
  For more information related to our benefits please visit:
  
  

Equal Opportunity – Minority / Female / Disability / V / Gender Identity / Sexual Orientation