Authors

  1. Wiersma, Gretchen DNP, RN, CPN, CNE, CHSE
  2. Hagler, Debra PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, CNE, CHSE, ANEF, FAAN

Article Content

Many schools of nursing place responsibility for clinical teaching on adjunct faculty members who may be clinical experts but often have little formal education about how to teach. To support our clinical adjunct faculty in developing the educator role, leaders in our prelicensure nursing program developed an educational session based on one of the National League for Nursing Academic Clinical Nurse Educator Competencies: facilitate learning in the health care environment.1 Clinical adjunct faculty were invited to complete an institutional review board-approved self-assessment survey based on the 11 task statements associated with that competency (used with permission). Participants (n = 23) rated their skills the lowest on 2 task statements: educational theories and evidence-based teaching strategies, and being able to connect clinical learning opportunities to course content. The survey results were used to implement an educational session including presentations, discussions, and a simulation focused on the identified task statements. After the session, participants reported higher ratings in some areas related to facilitating learning. An unexpected bonus was the enjoyment and appreciation the clinical adjunct faculty expressed for this social learning experience. As schools employ more adjunct faculty, academic leaders should assess the faculty members' ability to function within the scope of practice of the clinical nurse educator and provide the resources needed to help these valued individuals to reach their teaching potentials. This project took place as part of the 2018-2019 Emerging Educational Administrator Institute of Sigma Theta Tau, The International Honor Society of Nursing.

 

Reference

 

1. National League for Nursing. Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator Candidate Handbook. Author; 2019. [Context Link]