The Quantum Leap Experience of Nursing Faculty with More than 10 Years of Teaching Experience: With a Focus on Professors and Associate Professors

Abstract

Purpose: To clarify the “Quantum Leap Experience” of professors and associate professors with more than 10 years of educational experience who are faculty members at nursing universities.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six university professors and associate professors specializing in nursing education. All interviewees had over 10 years of teaching experience in basic nursing education. The interview data were analyzed using both qualitative and descriptive methods.

Results: Nursing faculty members experienced significant quantum leap moments triggered by career crises such as research-related distress, work pressure, graduate suicides, and multiple tasks. Although they identified career crises as agonizing events, they reflected on them and faced these crises with a determined attitude. The common factor in the crises among these five teachers was research, with three experiencing it during their new term.

Conclusion: Nursing faculty identified to do both research and teaching duties during a new term as equivalent to a career crisis. However, the publication of their research and recognition from society increased their confidence as nursing faculty, strengthened their educational abilities, and fostered the next generation. Therefore, the findings of this study suggest that the publication of research results is important for the career development of nursing faculty and requires systematic support.