While research has explored various aspects of nursing practice, there is a limited understanding of the specific challenges and experiences of nurses' transitioning into the academia. This knowledge gap hinders the development of effective support strategies to facilitate career transition. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of nurses who transitioned from bedside to academic roles.

This study employed an interpretive phenomenological approach guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). The participants of this study were 21 faculty members from the two Colleges of Nursing (University of Cordilleras and Mountain Province State University). Purposive sampling was used in the selection of participants. Data was collected between April and June 2024. NVIVO 15 was used to organize, analyze, and visualize the data.

Five primary themes emerged, highlighting the complexities of transitioning from bedside to academia. These said themes included: Navigating the Transition, encompassing the integration of clinical identity with the faculty role and adapting to new responsibilities; Impact of Clinical Experience on teaching; Reconciling Professional Identities, involving adaptation to the academic environment and balancing clinical knowledge with academic expectations; Challenges and Support Systems encountered during the transition; and Motivations in Shaping Future Nurses, reflecting the desire to mentor and guide. These themes underscored the significant adjustments that nurses have to undergo and the interplay between their clinical background and academic responsibilities.

The findings of this study highlighted the struggles experienced by nurses as they shift from clinical roles to work in academic institutions. To enable this transition, such support measures should be designed to deal with specific problems not captured within more general support measures. Furthermore, the integration of the clinical and academic roles was equally important for not only quality nursing education but also for safe and quality patient care. Making use of the clinical perspective in positional environments can improve nursing education. Mentorship programmes may also be used to foster the transition and development of future nurses. Lastly, studies have shown the importance of developing policies and programs capable of encouraging this particular change in career and, more broadly, ensuring a healthy nursing education workforce.