Academic Affairs

Division of Nursing
Policy for Demonstration of Acceptable Achievement for Promotion in Academic Rank and Tenure
The following criteria in the areas of teaching/advising, scholarly/creative activity, and leadership/service have been established by the Division of Nursing for promotion in academic rank. Faculty must meet the length of service requirements for academic rank as outlined in the University of West Alabama Promotion and Tenure Process statement. Terminal Degree Professor The appropriate terminal degree for appointment to the academic rank of Professor for the discipline of nursing is the Doctor of Science in an area of nursing, Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing or related area, and Doctor of Education with an emphasis in nursing, Public Health, or another related area. Associate Professor In that there is a critical shortage of nursing faculty with the terminal degree, and the Master's Degree in Nursing meets SACS and NLN accreditation criteria for nursing faculty in an associate degree program, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) will be accepted in lieu of the terminal degree for promotion of nursing faculty to the rank of Associate Professor. The minimum appropriate degree for appointment to the rank of Instructor and Assistant Professor is the Master's Degree in Nursing. Division of Nursing Demonstrated Achievement Criteria I. Teaching and Related Activities A. Teaching and Related Activities Maintenance of current knowledge of theory and clinical management in his/her area of clinical expertise Planning and organization of assigned teaching responsibilities in an efficient and timely manner. (This includes preparation of course syllabi, class and clinical schedules, learning modules, and specific assignments that facilitate achievement of course objectives) Knowledge of and consistency in adherence to all division policies including classroom and clinical evaluation, classroom and clinical absences, demonstration of critical skills, dress code, etc. Effective classroom instruction including adherence to the published schedule, presentation of material in a clear, concise, and organized manner, use of appropriate illustrations and audiovisual media, maintenance of an atmosphere in which students feel free to ask questions and express ideas Providing students with a verbal explanation of grading policies as outlined in the course syllabus at the beginning of the course Providing adequate supervision and support for students in the clinical area Adherence to division and clinical agency policies and procedures during clinical instruction Adherence to established academic standards in the classroom and clinical areas as outlined in the Criteria for Progression, course syllabus, and clinical evaluation tools Appropriate and timely evaluation of student performance with final theory grade based upon an examination for each learning module in the course and a final examination, and final clinical rating determined by the criteria established in the clinical evaluation tool B. Counseling and Academic Advising Knowledge of division policies regarding admission, progression, graduation, and readmission Availability for counseling and academic advisement through appropriate office hours Demonstration of concern for students and sensitivity to student's needs Willingness to provide individual assistance to students according to division policies Knowledge of career opportunities for associate degree prepared nurses Evaluation In order to qualify for a promotion in rank, a faculty is expected to demonstrate a consistently high level of performance in teaching and related activities appropriate to the rank in question. Performance will be assessed through activities including but not limited to the chair's evaluation of the faculty, student evaluations (University and departmental), observation of classroom teaching, student consultations, observance of interactions with students, clinical agency personnel and fellow faculty and adherence to division policies and procedures. Classroom visitation by the chair is mandatory during the academic year in which a faculty member becomes eligible for promotion or tenure. PROMOTION IN RANK REQUIRES EVIDENCE OF ACHIEVEMENT OF ALL CRITERIA FOR TEACHING EFFECTIVENESS AND RELATED ACTIVITIES. II. Scholarly/Creative Activity A. Research Scientific research directed toward improving professional clinical practice or enhancement of increasing knowledge related to current advances in clinical technology Citations or annotated bibliography from current literature for papers, articles, books, etc. Research addressing a community problem or concern Research addressing a university issue Research related to promoting the role of a professional organization Research involved in preparation of presentations at professional meetings Research required for preparation of grant proposals B. Continuing Education Participation in Continuing Education Activities (minimum of 24 contact hours biennially) Enhancement of clinical skills through approved employment in a clinical setting C. Creative Activity Development of creative approaches to classroom and/or clinical instruction Development of alternative approaches to client teaching in the clinical setting Evaluation Research, continuing education, and creative activity will be evaluated through documentation in the faculty portfolio. Documentation may include, but is not limited to: annotated bibliography or citations as described in item A2; documents validating research in progress (i.e. proposal, data collected, etc.); copies of completed research; certificates of attendance at workshops or professional activities; letters from clinical agency administrative officials validating permission for and completion of creative activities involving clients; copies of presented and/or published papers; student evaluation of creative classroom activities; etc. It is recommended that all faculty submit a written request for prior approval of such activities, with the exception of B1 and C to the division chairperson including the purpose, objectives, procedures, and resources required for the activity. PROMOTION IN RANK REQUIRES EVIDENCE OF ACHIEVEMENT OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
Assistant Professor	A6 and B1
Associate Professor	A6, B1, and one or more of the remaining activities under A, B, or C. (A6 may be repeated as the remaining activity if focus or topic of research is in a different area)
Professor	A1, A6, B1, and two or more of the remaining activities under A, B, or C. (A6 may be repeated as the remaining activities if focus or topic of research is in a different area)
III. Leadership/Service A. Professional Affiliations and Service Active participation in professional organization(s), i.e. regular attendance at meetings, presentation of programs, holding office or committee chairmanship Coordination of continuing education programs for nursing personnel within the service area B. University Service Member of a division committee Member of a University committee Advisor to the Nursing Students Association Preparing and/or directing a grant C. Public Service Consultant for a clinical agency or group Presentation of programs for lay groups Member and/or officer of public service groups, i.e. Heart Association, Cancer Society, etc. Participation in activities which promote public health, i.e. blood pressure screening, health fairs Evaluation Leadership/Service will be evaluated through documentation of achievements in the portfolio. Documentation may include, but is not limited to: letters of appointment to committees and/or positions in professional organizations; membership certificates for professional organizations, letters of appreciation for public service activities; grant proposals; etc. PROMOTION IN RANK REQUIRES EVIDENCE OF ACHIEVEMENT AS FOLLOWS:
Assistant Professor	A1, A2, and one or more activities in B or C
Associate Professor	A1, A2, and one or more activities in B or C
Professor	A1, A2, and two or more activities in B or C
Criteria for Tenure In addition to meeting the length of service requirements for tenure as specified in The University of West Alabama Promotion and Tenure Process statement, faculty members approved for tenure in the Division of Nursing shall, at a minimum, meet the following requirements: They shall possess the academic credentials necessary for promotion in rank. They shall have demonstrated a commitment to professional development by having met the minimal criteria in the categories of teaching, scholarly/creative activities, and leadership/service required for promotion to the next rank. They shall perform an essential role in carrying out the division's current mission. Approved 1/3/96; revised 1/8/98; reviewed 1/99,1/00,1/01.