This research investigated reasons registered nurses who have the academic requirements to teach nursing decide not to. The study sought further to determine if the role and expectations of nurse faculty influence the nurses' decision. Because of the nursing shortage, nursing programs have increased enrollment, but there is not enough faculty to teach these nursing students. This research focuses on the shortage of nursing faculty in the state of North Carolina and suggests changes in the nurse faculty role that might entice registered nurses to seek a career in academia. Role theory is used to guide this study. After identifying determinant factors, which negatively influence registered nurses' decision to teach in academia, the researcher determined strategies to address these factors. The participants in this study revealed that their perception of the nurse faculty role had an impact on the registered nurses' willingness or unwillingness to teach in academia. The study identifies perceived factors of the nurse faculty role that were either appealing to nurses or deterred their decision to teach in academia.