Associate Dean for the Prelicensure BSN Degree Program

Summary Description: The Associate Dean position refers to a registered nurse who, as a member of the nursing faculty, is responsible for broad implementation of the Prelicensure BSN Degree Program, including curriculum, policies, student advising, and evaluation, as well as mentoring and collaborating with nurse educator associates and clinical teaching associates.

Essential Functions:
The Associate Dean will hold the core competencies described within the scope of practice of an academic nurse educator (National League for Nursing, published 2012; evaluated 2018):

Competency I: Facilitate Learning
The Associate Dean is responsible for creating an environment in classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings that facilitates student learning and the achievement of desired cognitive, affective, and psychomotor outcomes.

Competency II: Facilitate Learner Development and Socialization
The Associate Dean recognizes his or her responsibility for helping students develop as nurses and integrate the values and behaviors expected of those who fulfill that role. The Associate Dean serves as the advisor for students in the Nursing Major.

Competency III: Use Assessment and Evaluation Strategies
The Associate Dean uses a variety of strategies to assess and evaluate student learning in classroom, laboratory, and clinical settings, as well as in all domains of learning. The Associate Dean typically serves on WPU’s Assessment Committee and facilitates use of assessment tools for the Division of Nursing, such as Watermark products.

Competency IV: Participate in Curriculum Design and Evaluation of Program Outcomes
The Associate Dean participates in formulating program outcomes and designing curricula that reflect contemporary health care trends and prepare graduates to function effectively in the health care environment.
Competency V: Function as a Change Agent and Leader
The Associate Dean functions as a change agent and leader to create a preferred future for nursing education and nursing practice. Participating in maintaining CCNE-accreditation is a critical role.

Competency VI: Pursue Continuous Quality Improvements in the Associate Dean Role
The Associate Dean recognizes that his or her role is multidimensional and that an ongoing commitment to develop and maintain competence in the role is essential.

Competency VII: Engage in Scholarship
The Associate Dean acknowledges that scholarship is an integral component of the faculty role, and that teaching itself is a scholarly activity.

Competency VIII: Function within the Educational Environment
The Associate Dean is knowledgeable about the educational environment within which he or she practices and recognizes how political, institutional, social, and economic forces affect his or her role.

WPU’s Division of Nursing received initial approval on November 15, 2018, from the Oregon State Board of Nursing to launch a traditional, Prelicensure BSN Degree Program. To promote the program’s effectiveness and sustainability, the Associate Dean will participate in the following activities drawn from Competencies I through VIII:

• Collaborate with the Dean of Nursing to develop policies and procedures that facilitate judicious growth of the Prelicensure BSN Degree Program. Currently, N=112 in four cohorts. Beginning with achievement of a stabilized NCLEX-RN passing rate and OSBN approval, WPU has budgeted the addition of 8 students/cohort during Spring Semester and Fall Semester, to increase program size by 16 students per year depending on space and instructor availability.
• Oversee aspects of skills and simulation laboratories.
• Prepare to teach courses in areas of expertise.
• Maintain handbooks for faculty and students for the Division of Nursing.
• Participate in the development and refinement of courses as outlined in the Prelicensure BSN Curriculum Plan, according to AACN’s revised Essentials as approved April 2021. Attend to elements of the Nursing Program Evaluation Plan (NPEP) according to WPU’s Assessment.
• Document the plan in relevant Watermark products.
• Participate in all elements for gold-standard accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
• Introduce prospective diverse faculty to WPU.

In addition, the Associate Dean will integrate within the University through the following expectations:

• Work collegially with administrators, faculty, staff, and students.
• Understand and promote the mission, vision, values, and core themes of Warner Pacific University.
• Exhibit excellent communication skills in all interactions with administrators, faculty, staff, and students.
• Contribute to the support and implementation of the University Strategic Plan.
• Participate in professional development opportunities provided by the institution.
• Adhere to University policies and procedures. Demonstrate commitment to a Christian liberal arts education and professional program of Nursing by upholding the mission of the University and abiding by the Employment Standards and Lifestyle Agreement.
• Exhibit commitment to inclusiveness and sensitivity in areas of national origin, ethnicity, culture, gender, and disabilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Eligible for licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of Oregon.
• Experience working with diverse populations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD Degree in Nursing or related field is preferred for leadership roles of the Associate Dean.
• Depth and breadth of professional experience in the field, to include: approval and accreditation processes for a new Prelicensure BSN Degree Program, independent oversight of skills and simulation laboratories, and knowledge of healthcare delivery in the greater Portland area.
• College teaching experience in a relevant curriculum.

Physical Demands – Work Environment:  


Employment and Lifestyle Standards :  
Warner Pacific is a Christ-centered urban liberal arts University dedicated to providing students from diverse backgrounds an education that prepares them to engage actively in a constantly changing world. The University was founded in 1937 by the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana). Central to Warner Pacific’s identity as a Christ-centered higher education institution is the policy of hiring persons whose personal and professional lives reflect:
 
1.  A belief in the deity of and commitment to Jesus Christ and the Christian faith, as interpreted through the historic witness of Scripture and the continuing ministry of the Holy Spirit.
2.  The practice of following Christ through day-to-day personal lifestyle choices.
3.  A vitality of Christian experience maturing in insight and application and appreciative of differing viewpoints.
4.  A commitment to life-long learning and service through personal and professional development.
5.  For teaching faculty, the expression of artful teaching, based on mastery of relevant subject matter and in an environment of purposeful and rigorous inquiry amongst a community of scholars who support one another.
6.  A capability, by temperament, preparation, and will, to support students as they confront the intellectual, social, physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges of their lives.
7.  A sensitivity to and support for the mission, core themes, vision, values, ethos and traditions of the Warner Pacific University community.
8.  A commitment to teaching and serving in harmony with the doctrines of the Holy Bible.

Employee Agreement:
Mission-based hiring is of critical importance to Warner Pacific University. Employees are expected to demonstrate and articulate a vital Christian faith and to live in a manner consistent with a Christ-centered lifestyle as informed by the Scriptures of the New Testament.
 
Warner Pacific’s students, faculty and staff are expected to foster an environment of mutual respect and accountability, to care for the personal dignity of others and to exercise integrity in their conduct and communication. The University environment is expected to be free from discrimination and harassment (including bullying). When an individual’s behavior has direct implications for others and/or the well-being of the University community, there may be cause for institutional involvement, regardless of where the situation occurs.
 
Warner Pacific University desires to provide a safe and healthy environment for staff, faculty, students, visitors and guests. Therefore, smoking is not permitted on University property, in its vehicles, or at any University sponsored event. The use of illegal drugs or non-prescribed controlled substances is strictly prohibited. Use of alcoholic beverages or tobacco products is strictly prohibited on Warner Pacific University campuses.
 
Equal Employment Opportunity :
Warner Pacific provides equal opportunity for employment and advancement for all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship status, disability, age, genetic information, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status and any other status protected by laws and regulations to which Warner Pacific is subject.  All employment decisions, including hiring, promotions, compensation, benefits, transfers, and terminations are made in a manner that does not discriminate against individuals in the categories discussed above.  Because Warner Pacific is a Christian liberal arts University, the University exercises its legal right to hire Christian employees to fulfill its mission and purpose.

Warner Pacific University’s Commitment to Diversity:  Warner Pacific University is a proud HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution), MSI (Minority Serving Institution) and ANAPISI (Asian, Native America and Pacific Islander Serving Institution). WPU is an  Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks a diverse workforce of committed Christians from all racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds, and is committed to hiring staff and faculty with an intentionality that demonstrates the importance of having an employee community that reflects the racial and ethnic diversity of the students we serve. In the fall of 2023, more than 59% of our traditional students were racially or ethnically diverse. 

In order to be considered an applicant for this position, please complete our online employment application at   Click “Apply Now” to complete the online application, and submit the following:
Application, Cover Letter and Resume

** NOTE: All job offers are contingent upon successfully passing a background check and completing all required paperwork.