Program Director - Associate Degree Nursing (AASN) (Waco, TX/Hybrid)

ACU is affiliated with the fellowship of Churches of Christ. This position requires the employee to be a professing Christian and to be willing to support the Christian mission of ACU.

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This position is located in Waco, Texas, with remote work as scheduled. On-site presence in Waco is required for clinical and simulation oversight.

The Program Director provides academic, administrative, and clinical leadership for the Associate Degree Nursing (AASN) program, ensuring the program prepares safe, competent nurses and maintains compliance with the Texas Board of Nursing and the program’s nursing accreditor. This is a non-tenured faculty position.

Major Responsibilities:

• Design, review, and approve nursing program curriculum and develop policies and procedures to support the program’s mission, goals, and outcomes.
• Hire, evaluate, and supervise all program full-time, half-time, and adjunct nursing faculty.
• Serve on the program faculty, including teaching and/or clinical and simulation supervision.
• Manage student affairs and licensure-specific advising for nursing students, including progression toward NCLEX-RN eligibility and Texas RN licensure.
• Maintain nursing curriculum alignment with university, college, Texas Board of Nursing, and accreditation standards.
• Maintain clinical competency and current, unencumbered Texas RN licensure, and/or engage in an ongoing research/scholarship agenda.
• Meet nursing program accreditation and Texas Board of Nursing approval standards.

Essential Duties

Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

• Design, review, and approve nursing program curriculum and develop policies and procedures to support the program’s mission, goals, and outcomes.
  • Lead program and faculty meetings, including Clinical/Simulation Coordinator and Curriculum Committee meetings.
  • Represent program proposals and interests in Academic Council meetings.
  • Work collaboratively with Registration Operations regarding curriculum updates.
  • Develop and oversee simulation exercises and clinical placements that reflect current nursing practice.
• Hire, evaluate, and supervise all program full-time, half-time, and adjunct faculty.
  • Prepare advertisements for faculty job postings.
  • Interview all applicants and facilitate hiring committee meetings.
  • Perform regular University, college, and program evaluations on all faculty.
  • Provide faculty with scheduled feedback about their performance.
• Serve on the program faculty.
  • Teach one course and/or clinical section per year.
  • a. Provide rich and timely feedback on student work, being both encouraging and constructively critical.
  • b. Engage in andragogically sound teaching methods designed for an adult learner.
  • c. Comply with all pertinent policies and procedures outlined in Abilene Christian University’s Handbook, Faculty Handbook, and those specified by ACU’s College of Health and Human Services and the Program.
  • d. Supervise and evaluate student performance in simulated and clinical environments.
  • Redesign one course per year.
• Manage student affairs and licensure-specific advising for program students.
  • Review requests for transfer credit.
  • Review new student applications for compliance with admission requirements and suitability for NCLEX-RN licensure and clinical placement eligibility.
  • Oversee clinical placement compliance (immunizations, background checks, certifications) through the program’s clinical management system.
• Maintain program curriculum alignment with university, college, and accreditation standards.
  • Prepare the Outcomes Assessment Report, including program-level nursing outcome data (e.g., NCLEX-RN pass rates, retention, and completion).
  • Participate in the university’s enhanced program review process and program strategic planning.
  • Maintain reporting, review, and assessment in alignment with the Texas Board of Nursing and the program’s nursing accreditor.
• Maintain clinical competency and current, unencumbered Texas RN licensure, and/or engage in an ongoing research/scholarship agenda.
  • Develop and maintain an ongoing research/scholarship agenda in the context of the scholarship of teaching and learning.
  • Gain and maintain knowledge of trends and information pertaining to nursing practice and education through current practice, professional reading, active research/scholarship, and/or continuing education.
  • Participate in clinical and/or scholarly activities designed to maintain nursing credentialing and licensure in the field of study.
• Meet nursing program accreditation and licensing standards.
  • Maintain student-facing and University-facing licensure requirements information (NCLEX-RN and Texas RN licensure).
  • Provide accurate and transparent information about the program to the public, including any required program-outcome disclosures.
  • Apply and integrate Texas Board of Nursing and nursing accreditation standards into the program curriculum, policies, and procedures.

Professional Development Requirements:

A. Skills

1. Attention to detail and follow-through.

2. Time management skills.

3. Maintain confidentiality.

4. Computer proficiency.

5. Excellent verbal communication, written communication, and interpersonal abilities.

6. Provide quality instruction and support to students while maintaining academic and university standards.

7. Ability to collaborate or work independently as the situation requires.

8. Current and unencumbered Texas Registered Nurse (RN) license.

9. Certification in an area of nursing specialization is encouraged.

B. Training Modules Required

1. Microsoft Word, Excel, Cybersecurity, Title IX, and ADA.

2. Google Calendar, Mail, Sheets, Docs, Forms, and Drive.

3. Banner.

4. Adobe Sign.

5. Exxat clinical management software.

6. Online learning platform (e.g., Canvas / Bridge).

Qualifications:

A. Professional

1. Master’s degree in Nursing required; a doctoral degree in nursing is preferred.

2. Current, unencumbered Texas RN license.

3. At least two years of nursing practice experience in the area of expertise within the last five years.

4. At least two years of prior nursing education (teaching) experience.

5. Administrative and/or program leadership experience preferred.

6. Evidence of quality research/scholarship completed in the last ten years preferred (e.g., publications in peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, program evaluation reports).

7. Instructional experience and working in a team environment, including in an online or hybrid environment, preferred.

8. Computer-literate in software and internet-based applications.

9. Proficient in APA style.

B. Personal

1. Strong communication skills, both written and oral.

2. Ability to view and manage roles and responsibilities in relation to the larger mission, goals, and perspective of the University.

3. Collaborative nature, with the ability to build consensus.

4. Outstanding organizational and project management skills with the ability to consistently meet deadlines.

5. Self-motivated and solves problems, asking for input and initiating solutions as appropriate and reasonable.

6. Capacity to quickly learn new software applications.

7. Willingness to receive additional training and/or faculty mentoring.

8. Ability to demonstrate good judgment when interacting with students, other faculty, and staff.

9. Creates a welcoming atmosphere for students, colleagues, and visitors.

10. Eligibility for promotion to Program Director from Assistant Program Director is defined in the

Physical Demands:

A. The majority of work is performed in front of a computer and on the telephone; must have the ability to use the computer and remain stationary for long periods of time.

B. Manage conversations in person, online, and by telephone.

C. Work well under pressure and manage stress well.

D. Communicate clearly: speak, read, write, and hear clearly to perform essential functions.

E. Frequent standing and walking in clinical and simulation settings.

F. Occasional lifting of up to 40 pounds.

G. Must be able to hear sounds and interpret signs and symptoms in clinical and simulation environments.

ACU does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, disability, genetic information, national or ethnic origin in employment opportunities, in keeping with applicable state and federal law.

ACU is committed to maintaining a safe and secure campus environment and protecting the university's financial and physical assets. Therefore, Abilene Christian University conducts background checks on all candidates for employment in security sensitive positions. As a current employee, it will be determined if you need an additional background check upon your hire.