First, I would like to thank the ability to have public comments to the petition for the Board amend 18VAC90-27-60(A)(4) to allow nurses with 20 years or more of experience to serve as faculty for nursing education programs. While I certainly appreciate the expertise in years served in the nursing profession and the value to the profession; however, I can not endorse years of experience as requirements to serve as nursing faculty. The nursing shortage is felt by all, including nursing faculty. A myth that needs to be acknowledge is that the transition from practice to academia is an easy transition without any additional education. Quality nursing faculty are advanced nurses with the professional development and expertise in assessing, measuring, and ensuring student outcomes and competence. I would like to see more parameters beyond the years of experience. I would like to see the development of future faculty under experienced faculty to mentoring within the clinical areas. These future faculty should have more than 7 years experience, BSN prepared, preferred national certification endorsement, and professional development/training related to nursing education competencies. 

Thank you again for the opportunity to contribute to this discussion.