Assistant Professor, Doctor of Nursing Practice — Family Nurse Practitioner
Location: Hickory or Asheville, North Carolina
Faculty Position: Full-time, nine-month, tenure track position
The College of Health Sciences at Lenoir-Rhyne University invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Nursing to support the Doctor of Nursing Practice — Family Nurse Practitioner program, with an anticipated start date of August 2026.
This nine-month faculty position is based in the School of Nursing within the College of Health Sciences and supports Lenoir-Rhyne University's online DNP-FNP program. Responsibilities may include teaching, clinical coordination, student mentorship, scholarly engagement, program and university service and participation in DNP scholarly projects, including serving as a project chair.
Although the DNP-FNP program is delivered online, the position requires regular engagement with the School of Nursing and the College of Health Sciences. This includes participation in faculty meetings, program assessment, student support, recruitment activities and university service. The appointment is based at the Hickory campus.
Faculty at Lenoir-Rhyne University typically carry a 24-credit annual teaching load. Opportunities for reassigned time are available to maintain clinical experience and may also be available for other programmatic needs, administrative responsibilities and faculty workload expectations.
Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching excellence, student mentorship, scholarly and professional engagement, clinical excellence and active participation in campus service and citizenship.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Teach graduate-level courses in the DNP-FNP program, including didactic, clinical and project-based courses as assigned.
- Participate in on-campus immersion experiences.
- Support student learning in an online environment through effective teaching, advising, mentoring and timely communication.
- Participate in clinical education activities, which may include support for clinical site development, clinical placement processes, preceptor engagement and student progression.
- Assist with curriculum development, course revision, program assessment and continuous improvement aligned with professional nursing standards, the DNP Essentials and applicable accreditation and regulatory expectations.
- Support student development in evidence-based practice, advanced nursing practice, clinical reasoning, professional formation and DNP scholarly projects.
- Maintain regular availability for student support, advising and program responsibilities.
- Contribute to School of Nursing, College of Health Sciences and university service.
- Collaborate with LR’s Graduate Admissions Office to support student recruitment and enrollment initiatives.
- Engage in scholarly, clinical and professional activities consistent with faculty expectations.
All position requirements outlined above reflect the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the role competently. This description is not intended to be exhaustive. Faculty may be assigned additional responsibilities and are expected to acquire new skills as needed. Lenoir-Rhyne University reserves the right to modify position responsibilities as appropriate.
Required Qualifications
- Terminal degree in Nursing.
- Current, active and unencumbered registered nurse license in North Carolina or eligibility for North Carolina licensure.
- Current certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
- Clinical experience as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
- Meets North Carolina Board of Nursing requirements, including at least two years of full-time clinical experience as a registered nurse.
- Demonstrated ability to teach graduate-level nursing courses.
- Commitment to student-centered teaching, advising and mentorship.
- Ability to participate in program, college and university service.
- Ability to support online teaching and learning in a graduate nursing program.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience teaching in a graduate nursing program.
- Experience teaching in an online or hybrid learning environment.
- Experience with DNP scholarly projects, evidence-based practice, quality improvement, statistics or applied clinical scholarship.
- Experience developing or revising graduate nursing courses aligned with the DNP Essentials.
- Experience with clinical site development, preceptor engagement or clinical education coordination.
- Evidence of scholarly, clinical or professional engagement in advanced nursing practice.
- Commitment to fostering a supportive, student-centered learning environment.
Compensation
Lenoir-Rhyne University offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Salary details will be shared with candidates during the interview process.
Application Process
To complete the online application, visit: http://www.lr.edu/employment.
To ensure full consideration, completed applications must be submitted by April 3, 2026. The search will continue until the position is filled.
Applicants should submit:
- Letter of application specifically addressing qualifications and experience
- Current curriculum vitae or resume
- Statement of teaching philosophy
- List of three professional references (including name, current position, email, address, and phone number)
The University’s mission, vision, and values statements may be reviewed using About LR.
Questions regarding the position or search process may be directed electronically to Michael McGee, Interim Dean-Health Sciences at mcgee@lr.edu.
Lenoir-Rhyne University promotes a welcoming campus environment that is integral to the university's commitment to excellence in engagement and education. We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated experience nurturing a welcoming community, working with faculty, staff and/or students from all walks of life and/or incorporating varied perspectives and traditions in their current or previous positions. This commitment is rooted in our Lutheran tradition of fostering wisdom, nurturing vocation and preparing students for lives of purpose while serving the common good.
About the College of Health Sciences
The College of Health Sciences provides current and practical knowledge and skills that prepare students for success in differing health science careers. The college offers four undergraduate degrees in exercise science, nursing, public health and sports management. At the graduate level, the college offers a Master of Science in Exercise Science, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Public Health, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, the Doctor of Nursing Practice with tracks for Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, a Post-Master’s Certificate-Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and a Doctor of Health Sciences.
About Lenoir-Rhyne University
Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private, comprehensive institution founded in 1891, with its traditional campus located in Hickory, North Carolina, a city of more than 40,000. The university has additional graduate centers in Asheville, N.C., and Columbia, S.C. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lenoir- Rhyne is less than an hour’s drive from Charlotte, and the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of about 365,000. The university now offers more than 45 undergraduate and 20 graduate degree programs to approximately 2,400 students. Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks to liberate mind and spirit, clarify personal faith, foster physical wholeness, build community, and promote responsible leadership for service to the world. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lenoir-Rhyne is open to people from all religious and non-religious backgrounds.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy
Lenoir-Rhyne University is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities that are free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
LR is committed to creating a safe campus environment for all members of the LR community, including, but not limited to, those who identify as transgender and gender non-conforming. To that end, LR does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including sex stereotypes and sex characteristics), ethnicity, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.
To ensure compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational program, activity and employment, LR has developed internal policies and procedures that provide a prompt, fair and impartial process for those involved in an allegation of discrimination or harassment, and for allegations of retaliation.
LR values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the parties in the grievance process during what is often a difficult time for all those involved.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.