Faculty Openings

The institution now known as Radford University was founded by the Virginia General Assembly in the spring of 1910. The State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Radford grew out of a late nineteenth-century effort to expand Virginia's public school system and prepare a sufficient number of teachers. Today, Radford University is a public university enrolling nearly 7,800 students and boasts a beautiful 211-acre residential campus located close to the iconic Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Students at Radford University come from 46 states and 54 foreign nations, with the current student body the most diverse in the institution’s history.

Radford University is nationally recognized for many of its undergraduate and graduate academic programs, as well as its sustainability initiatives. Earlier this year, the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education elevated Radford University from its previous classification as M1 (Master’s Larger Programs) to the Doctoral/Professional classification. In addition, the University was recently ranked by the U.S. News and World Report in the Top National Universities category while previously being ranked in the Regional Universities – South Region. The publication also recognized Radford University among the best universities in the south for veterans, one of the top green institutions in the nation, and one of the best undergraduate teaching programs nationally.

Radford University serves the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation through a wide range of academic, cultural, human service and research programs. Well known for its meaningful faculty and student relationships, innovative use of technology in the learning environment and vibrant student life, Radford offers students many opportunities to get involved and succeed in and out of the classroom. The grounds and facilities are conveniently arranged, beautifully maintained, and designed to meet the academic and extracurricular interests of the students. With a strong student focus, Radford University has over 200 clubs and organizations providing opportunities for student engagement, leadership development, and community service. Radford University has been named 2025 Top Adventure College by Blue Ridge Outdoors.

Radford University also offers a clinical-based educational experience for more than 1,100 students living and learning in Roanoke, Virginia, as part of Radford University Carilion (RUC), a public-private partnership established in 2019 with a focus on the cutting-edge delivery of health sciences programming, outreach, and service. Located in downtown Roanoke, Virginia, in the city’s Innovation Corridor, RUC provides a rigorous real-world learning experience to students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in the health sciences. RUC boasts a faculty of practicing clinicians who, in a clinical setting on the campus of Carilion Medical Center, teach students to care for patients, conduct research, and explore how to manage organizations. 

Radford University has additional learning environments at the Roanoke Higher Education Center, as well as in Abingdon at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center. 

In 1966, Radford College was approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and the Virginia Board of Nursing to develop a nursing program. The first students were admitted to the undergraduate program in 1969. Eleven members of the charter class graduated in 1973, and the program was granted initial accreditation by the National League for Nursing in 1976.

In 1979, Radford College was granted university status and, following a rapid growth period, the nursing program gained school status in 1982 and college status in 1984. Based on a needs assessment conducted by the Western Region Consortium for Continuing Higher Education, a track for registered nurse (RN) students was initiated in the fall of 1986. Off-site classes were established in select regions of Southwestern Virginia using a variety of distance education technology (audio teleconferencing and video/computers). Then in 1988, the Roanoke Higher Education Center site was established through an agreement between Radford University and Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

In 1988, the graduate program in nursing started with a master’s of science in nursing (MSN) with a concentration in home health nursing followed by an advanced adult concentration in 1991. In 1995, two more MSN concentrations were initiated - a family nurse practitioner (FNP) concentration and a certificate program for both post baccalaureate and post master's students in Gerontological nursing. As a result of institutional reorganization in 1997, the School of Nursing became part of Waldron College of Health and Human Services.

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, which opened in fall of 2010, was the first of its kind in Virginia to be offered in a distance-learning format and to both post-baccalaureate and post-masters degree students. It awarded its first doctoral degrees in 2011. As of a large Advanced Nursing Education (ANE) grant from the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) and a series of Waldron College of Health and Human Services programs focused on improving regional health care, the Post-Master's Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate began.

In 2005, regional nursing programs and the Executive Director of the Roanoke Higher Education Center (RHEC) met to explore ways of partnering with public and private entities to maximize the use of scarce resources, address the shortage of nursing faculty, and explore alternatives for clinical education of nursing students. Radford University School of Nursing assumed leadership in developing the concept and received funding in 2006 for the project for creating, maintaining and sustaining two Nursing Clinical Simulation Centers (CSC)—one at the Roanoke Higher Education Center (RHEC) and one in Radford (now at Cook Hall on the main campus in 2018). Both of these sites offer state-of-the-art high-fidelity simulation experiences and give all regional nursing programs access to this invaluable facility. Partners include Radford University, Wytheville Community College, New River Community College, Virginia Western Community College, and Patrick Henry Community College.

In early 2018, Carilion Clinic, Jefferson College of Health Sciences (JCHS) and Radford University joined together again to announce the intent to merge JCHS into the Radford University family of colleges and departments. After 18 months of collaboration and planning, Radford University Carilion (RUC) enrolled its inaugural class of students in Fall 2019. The newly formed RUC campus added a traditional baccalaureate (TBSN) track, an accelerated baccalaureate program (ABSN) and two Masters of Nursing (MSN) tracks, Family Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Administration. In addition, RUC offers the traditional B.S.N. program with admission to Nursing from the first day of college.

In 2020, the School of Nursing hired its first inaugural dean, and in 2021 separated from Waldron College of Health and Human Services to become an independent academic unit, similar to a College. In August 2022, the School of Nursing faculty organization approved a new structure to create three distinct units for undergraduate, graduate, and Fast Track programs, each led by an Academic Unit Head (AUH). The School of Nursing as an independent academic unit was functioning similar to a college at the university level, so a name change from School of Nursing to College of Nursing was submitted by our faculty organization and passed by Faculty Senate in February 2023 and the Board of Visitors in March 2023 and approved by SCHEV in January 2024. The College of Nursing continues to grow - in the number of students, faculty, programs, and, ultimately, patients we impact in our region and across the nation. We continue to evolve our educational programs in response to the healthcare needs, delivery mechanisms, and technology advancements in the region, Commonwealth, nation and world. 

College of Nursing Vision Statement

Blending the art and science of nursing to prepare enlightened, compassionate professionals who will meet the diverse needs of the local and global community.

College of Nursing Mission Statement

Radford University College of Nursing is committed to excellence in the development of professional nurses to meet changing local and global health care needs through education, research, practice, and community engagement.

College of Nursing Core Values

• Advocacy: We intervene on behalf of vulnerable populations and the nursing profession to address ethical and healthcare issues through legal, administrative, and legislative pathways. 
• Safe Caring: We exemplify compassion for others in an altruistic manner through presence and safe, holistic practice.
• Cultural humility: We honor traditions and beliefs of diverse populations through intentional and inclusive engagements of those in our care while supporting health promotion in the patients we serve. 
• Excellence: We utilize rigorous evidence-based methodologies to instill competency and inspire professionalism and leadership in our graduates. 
• Interprofessionalism: We demonstrate respect in interdisciplinary, collaborative practice to achieve the highest quality outcomes.
• Innovation: We engage our students in the discovery of healthcare technology to support implementation of the nursing process while providing person-centered care.

 Overview:

The principal functions of the faculty shall be to:

• Develop, implement, and evaluate the mission, vision, core values, and objectives (program outcomes) of Radford University and the College of Nursing;  
• Design, implement, teach, evaluate, and revise the curriculum. Faculty shall provide evidence of education and experience necessary to indicate that they are competent to teach a given course;
• Develop and evaluate student admission, progression, retention, and graduation policies within the framework of the controlling institution;
• Participate in academic advisement and counseling of students in accordance with requirements of the Financial Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 USC § 1232g);
• Provide opportunities for and evidence of student evaluation of curriculum and teaching and program effectiveness; and, Document actions taken in faculty and committee meetings using a systematic plan of evaluation for total program review.

Teaching:

• Teaching through didactic instruction, evaluation of coursework, supervision of student groups for clinical rotations, and instruction in nursing laboratory are examples of activities related to teaching.
• Teaching workload assignments are equivalent to 15 credit hours per semester dependent upon the undergraduate course and additional department assignments.
• Course assignments are based on education, experience, and expertise; additional assignments are made based on departmental needs.
• Nine-month appointments, summer overload assignments may be requested.
• Twelve-month appointments include summer teaching assignments.

Advising:

• Acts as academic advisor for assigned student load.
• Maintains current and accurate advising records.

Scholarship/Professional Service:

• Maintains current RN licensure and any others in their field of expertise (APRN)
• Participate in continuing education activities and maintains professional competence through continuing education and/or professional practice.

University Service:

• Engages with faculty and leadership at the University, within the College of Nursing, and with our local communities.
• Participates in departmental governance activities by participating in department meetings and by serving ion committees. 

Minimal Qualifications:

• Minimal qualifications are a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a Masters degree. MSN is preferred.
• Recent clinical experience in field of expertise.
• Experience in education at the university level preferred.

Every member of the nursing faculty shall:

• hold a current license or multistate licensure privilege to practice nursing in Virginia as a registered nurse without any disciplinary action that currently restricts practice; and,
• have had at least two (2) years of direct client care experience as a registered nurse prior to employment by the program.
• Exception: Persons providing instruction in topics other than nursing shall not be required to hold a license as a registered nurse

Overview:
 
The principal functions of the faculty shall be to:

• Develop, implement, and evaluate the mission, vision, core values, and objectives (program outcomes) of Radford University and the College of Nursing;
• Design, implement, teach, evaluate, and revise the undergraduate curriculum. Faculty shall provide evidence of education and experience necessary to indicate that they are competent to teach a given course;
• Develop and evaluate undergraduate student admission, progression, retention, and graduation policies within the framework of the controlling institution;
• Participate in academic advisement and counseling of students in accordance with requirements of the Financial Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 USC § 1232g);
• Provide opportunities for and evidence of student evaluation of curriculum, teaching, and program effectiveness; and,
• Document actions taken in department and committee meetings using a systematic plan of evaluation for total program review.

Teaching:

• Teaching through didactic instruction, evaluation of coursework, supervision of student groups for clinical rotations, and instruction in nursing laboratory are examples of activities related to teaching.
• Teaching workload assignments are equivalent to 12 credit hours per semester dependent upon the undergraduate course and any approved workload release for professional development or administrative assignments.
• Course assignments are based on education, experience, and expertise; additional assignments are made based on departmental needs.
• Nine-month appointments, summer overload assignments may be requested.
• Twelve-month appointments include summer teaching assignments.

Advising:

• Performs undergraduate academic advising for assigned student load.
• Maintains current and accurate advising records.

Scholarship/Professional Service:

• Participates in professional intellectual activities to include the integration and application of knowledge that is shared with, and validated by, peers in the nursing.
• Maintains current RN licensure and any others in their field of expertise (APRN).
• Maintains active membership in professional organizations, and serves as resource expert in their field of expertise. Maintains professional competence through continuing education and/or professional practice.

 Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimal qualifications are a doctorate in nursing or a MSN with a doctoral degree in a related field. Significant progress toward the doctorate with a plan for completion may be considered.
• Recent clinical experience in field of expertise. Experience in education at the university level preferred.
• Hold a current license or multistate licensure privilege to practice nursing in Virginia as a registered nurse without any disciplinary action that currently restricts practice; and,have had at least two (2) years of direct client care experience as a registered nurse prior to employment by the program.