Nursing Education is in a crisis with more than 20% of the current workforce expecting to exit the profession within the next 5-years. More than 70% of Nursing Faculty reported an increased level of satisfaction with their role when equipped with proper training, resources, and support provided by Dr. Sellars Educate.
How do we respond to this wisdom and long-term experiences no longer being available to mentor, onboard, and coach the next generation of Nurse Educators?
There are 3-Key Steps to help support bridging the theory-practice gap for the Novice Nurse Educator.
These steps include:
Find a mentor: Are you sure you want to be a Nurse Educator? Working directly with a mentor will help you clarify if the role is the right fit for you. A mentor can provide first-hand experiences about the role, and be honest about the challenges and how to overcome them.
Find an accredited MSN-Nursing Education Program: Several nursing programs are eliminating the Nurse Educator track, but this is vital to help you be successful in your new role. All of the major job responsibilities will be covered in the curriculum, and your professor will be your 'coach' along your education journey! This creates a great plan to get you start in your 1st Nurse Educator role! Grand Canyon University has an excellent MSN-NE Program that aligns with the National League for Nursing Competencies/Domains to prepare you for the responsibilities you can expect in your new role.
Find networking groups and resources: There are several Facebook groups that provide you with a solid network of current and aspiring Nurse Educators just like you! There is so much valuable information shared within these groups that can help you plan your career trajectory. A few recommendations include: Dr. Sellars Educate Facebook Group, and Dr. Sellars Educate YouTube Channel.
As we face turnover in all areas of healthcare, including in nursing education, we should diligently work to support our new nursing faculty to provide high quality nurse educator experiences.
Billings, D. M., & Halstead, J. A. (2019). Teaching in nursing: A guide for faculty (6th ed.). Saunders. ISBN-13: 9780323554725