Tina Marie Kline, associate professor of nursing at Pennsylvania College of Technology, recently completed a doctorate in nursing education and administration from William Carey University.
Kline’s studies culminated in a dissertation titled “The Transition From Clinical Nurse to Academic Nurse Educator: Examining the Return on Investment.”
“The lack of nursing faculty primarily contributes to the overall nursing shortage,” Kline said. “Individuals pursuing a nurse educator role commit significant time and money to obtaining the required academic credentials.”
Kline conducted a survey to evaluate the individual nurse’s actual and perceived return on investment for transitioning from a clinical practice role to an academic nurse educator role; 246 nurses nationwide responded.
The study found that nurse faculty are paid significantly less than their practice colleagues and that they identify giving back to the profession as a positive motivator to continue in a faculty role. Nurse faculty also consistently reported feeling underprepared for the educator role. Kline concluded that future efforts to address the nurse faculty shortage should emphasize improving faculty preparation, compensation and intangible benefits.
Kline joined the Penn College nursing faculty in 2011. She is co-chair of the college’s Quality Through Assessment Committee. Previously, she was an assistant professor of nursing at a community college in Northern Kentucky and has worked as a staff nurse for Jersey Shore Hospital; St. Luke’s Hospital West in Florence, Kentucky; and Lancaster General Hospital.
She attained a master’s degree in nursing education from Northern Kentucky University, a bachelor’s in nursing from Millersville University and a registered nurse diploma from Lancaster Institute for Health Education. She holds Certified Nurse Educator and Certified Medical Surgical Registered Nurse credentials. She is also a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the international honor society for nurses.
Kline volunteers as a service unit communication lead and troop leader for Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania and is a Montoursville Borough councilperson.
Penn College’s nursing program offers associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as a post-master’s certificate. To learn more, call 570-327-4525.
For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.