Assistant/Associate Professor of Practice, FNP Clinical Decision Making

Located in Boston’s historic Fenway area, Simmons University has a strong tradition of empowering women and challenging traditional gender roles. Simmons was founded for equality 125 years ago as one of the first higher education institutions dedicated to helping women become leaders. Today, our university continues to grow and evolve and now offers Boston’s only women’s undergraduate program and graduate programs open to all. 

You’re joining our community at an especially exciting time as we continue to innovate for the future. Simmons recently launched a six-school academic structure that leverages our expert faculty and longstanding expertise in professions that make our communities stronger. In addition, we continue to highlight our high-value education proposition that is delivering greater ROI to students and putting them on the fast track to career growth and success. You’ll find that people who work here truly believe in our mission of preparing students to become social justice-oriented leaders who excel in their professions and their communities. This commitment and pride make for a dynamic workplace.

As a university that values diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices–at all levels, for all positions–ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.

Assistant/Associate Professor of Practice, FNP Clinical Decision Making

The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Clinical Decision Making (CDM) faculty is a twelve-month, full-time, contract position that is responsible for the successful delivery of clinical decision making and the management and oversight of assigned Section Instructors.

Teaching Responsibilities

Teaching is the primary responsibility of this position. The standard teaching load for full-time graduate nursing contract faculty is 7 sections per academic year, or the equivalent as determined by the Dean.

The faculty’s responsibilities also include:

• Course Coordinator - Serve as Course Coordinator during the contractual year.
  • Oversee and manage the CDM curriculum, program, and processes in close collaboration with the Director of FNP Clinical Education
  • Oversee Section Instructors within teaching of course materials from approved curriculum in accordance with assigned course schedule
  • Hold regular meetings with Section Instructors to ensure they are prepared to deliver the course content, and that course expectations are being met
  • Intermittently observe synchronous classes with each Section Instructor to ensure consistency and quality
  • Provide regular, accurate, and timely assistance, feedback, and support to Section Instructors relative to their performance
  • Foster and encourage Section Instructors to promote a culture of learning that values mutual responsibility, lifelong learning, inclusion, and ethics, as well as personal and professional development
  • In case of an emergency, find a replacement Section Instructor and/or cover the teaching for that section until a replacement can be found
  • Audit and review all student grades
  • Manage student escalations as they arise
  • Attend monthly Course Coordinator meetings led by the Director of FNP Clinical Education
  • Keep documentation of Section Instructor work and correspondence (as necessary), maintaining and reporting participation and faculty evaluations as appropriate
  • Complete formative faculty evaluations annually for each Section Instructor, or as requested by School of Nursing administrators
  • Openly communicate with School of Nursing leadership and program staff regarding course, instructor, and/or student-related situations and concerns
  • Contribute to other duties as assigned by the Dean, Chair, or Director(s)
  • Obtain APRN or RN licensure in additional states as determined by the Director of FNP Clinical Education and Operations team (licensure fees reimbursed by Simmons University)
• Immersion Experiences – May be required to participate in and support immersive student clinical preparedness events during the academic year, held on our Boston campus. 
• Section Instructor - Teach CDM courses throughout the contractual year.
  • Teach material from the approved curriculum in accordance with the assigned course schedule
  • Assume responsibility for the academic supervision and teaching of the students registered for the term as outlined.
  • Actively participate in meetings and activities scheduled by the Director of FNP Clinical Education to prepare Section Instructors on course content and weekly course objectives
  • Provide full coverage for all scheduled synchronous sessions/live sessions
  • Motivate students to actively participate in all aspects of the educational process, including but not limited to class discussions, outside assignments/projects, research and enrichment activities, etc.
  • Maintain and evaluate records of students’ academic and clinical performance within the grading systems of the Learning Management System (LMS) and the University
  • Consult with students and preceptors about their clinical expectations/performance at the beginning of the term, midterm, and end-of-term, or as needed by phone or video conference
  • Maintain all administrative/academic components of the course section, including grading of assignments, exams, and appropriate clinical activities
  • Maintain communication with the Director of FNP Clinical Education regularly regarding course and student-related performance, problems, and concerns
  • Provide regular, accurate, and timely student-specific assistance, feedback, and support to students relative to their performance
  • Respond in a clear and well-expressed manner to student questions within one to two business days
  • Foster and encourage a culture of learning that values mutual responsibility and respect, life-long learning, inclusion, and ethics, as well as personal and professional development
  • Post a weekly student communication to the course platform’s “announcements” with guidance, updates, reminders, and expectations
  • Host weekly office hours for students

Service Responsibilities

The faculty member is expected to provide service to the University and contribute to the University’s pursuit of its mission.  These responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Participating as a team member in curriculum development and maintenance
• Participating in program, department, school, and university meetings, committees, and activities
• Participating and assisting in faculty governance

Professional Engagement Responsibilities

All contract faculty are expected to maintain currency in their discipline and licensure as required to carry out their duties at the University, including:

• Participating in professional development to remain relevant in the discipline.
• Maintaining certifications, if applicable, to continue currency in the field.
• Maintaining involvement in the broader academic and professional community in accordance with disciplinary/professional standards.

Qualifications/Skills

• Graduate Nursing degree from an accredited university required
• DNP/PhD/EdD in Nursing or related field required
• Board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner required
• At least 5+ years of NP clinical experience required
• Graduate-level teaching experience preferred
• Online teaching exposure/experience preferred
• Must obtain/maintain an unencumbered Massachusetts RN license
• Must obtain/maintain an unencumbered Massachusetts APRN license for any in-person campus-based teaching
• Demonstrated commitment to collegiality when interacting with others within the university community
• Demonstrated ability to work with students across a broad range of social and personal identities and perspectives

Terms of Service:  This is a 12-month contract role that reports to the Director of FNP Clinical Education. Consistent with the Faculty Policy Manual (FPM), the standard teaching load for full-time contract faculty at Simmons University is seven courses per academic year or the equivalent workload. Contract faculty are expected to adhere to all applicable Simmons policies. Potential for remote or hybrid position; however, the ability to travel to the Boston campus periodically is expected.

Salary Range: $77,858-$108,996

In accordance with applicable pay transparency laws effective October 29, 2025, Simmons University is committed to pay equity, transparency and clear communication throughout the hiring process.

This is benefits eligible position.

Actual compensation will be based on factors such as experience, education, skills, equity, and external market benchmarks that help guide compensation decisions. Our compensation philosophy is centered around a comprehensive package that includes pay, health benefits, and retirement savings offerings that can be seen here, as well as work-life balance initiatives such as flexible hours and remote work opportunities. We are committed to offering a package that empowers individuals to thrive in their roles, contribute meaningfully, and lead with confidence.

Instructions to Applicants: Please upload all applicable application materials (e.g. resume/cv, cover letter, writing sample, teaching philosophy, etc.) in the Application Materials box on page 2 ("My Experience") of this application. Documents can be uploaded individually or as a combined document (e.g. PDF).

Simmons University is committed to inclusive excellence in all aspects of an individual’s community experience. As a university committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Simmons encourages applications from all under-represented groups. Simmons is committed to creating, developing, promoting, and enhancing inclusive hiring practices–at all levels, for all positions–ensuring diverse talent pools and the delivery of a consistent positive candidate experience. Simmons is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to continuing to develop a more diverse faculty, staff, student body, and curriculum.