Nursing There are a number of significant differences between in the art of teaching nursing skills at the university level and the art of teaching nursing skills at the community level. The educational opportunities are similar at both types of institutions but the demands on faculty are different at each level.

Current literature shows that "approximately 42% of students enter community colleges with reading, writing, or math skills below the college level' (Cohen, Brawer, 2003) and therefore many of these students "need basic skills preparation in remedial-developmental courses" (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2003). The need for basic skills preparation is evident of many students entering college, but especially so for those who are entering at the community college level. Many of these students have not gained acceptance into the larger universities, or have the desire to hone their educational skills before tackling the demanding requirements of four-year colleges and universities. This scenario is true of students in general and includes those students who are seeking degrees or diplomas in the nursing field as well.

A 2008 article in Community College Week states "the three major educational paths to registered nursing are a bachelor's degree, an associate degree, and a diploma from an approved nursing program" (Facts, 2008, p. 7). Although many nursing students seek four-year degrees, a larger portion first attempt an associate degree or diploma, oftentimes at the local community college.

One recent study sought to determine "if students aspiring to nursing careers...

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What the study determined was that nearly 2/3 of the aspirants seeking nursing degrees entered the community college "unable to read, write, and/or compute at the college freshman level" (p. 668). Statistics like these place a huge burden on community college instructors; having to teach students how to read, write and comprehend at a higher level than what they are used to is a difficult enough task for many instructors, having to accomplish in a two-year program while instilling the students with the necessary information to become medical professionals makes it even tougher.

The four-year educational institutions have an advantage over community college in the length of time that they have to address any shortfalls, but that does not mean that the instructor's jobs are any easier; far from it.

A 2009 article states "the nursing profession is moving toward increased educational credentials" and that by the year 2015 a "doctorate will be required for nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists and nurse midwives" (Slowik, 2009, p. 13). With increased demands on the students to become better educated comes increased demands on the teachers and instructors to supply those students with the necessary knowledge, information and skills demanded from them. The problem is that finding faculty that can fulfill those requirements is a tough scenario. Polly Bednash, CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing…