Engaging and Leading RN to BSN Faculty: Creative Use of an Online Learning System

Hoffpauir, Rebecca

Monday, 18 November 2013

Rebecca Hoffpauir, MSN, RN
School of Nursing - Division of Post-licensure RNBSN Program, Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN
Allison V. Sabin Sabin, MSN
School of Nursing Division of Post-licensure (RNBSN) Program, Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN
Jean M. Short Short, MSN, BSN
School of Nursing - Division of Post-licensure (RNBSN) Program, Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN

Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to recognize innovative use of an online learning system to enhance communication and collegiality among part time/adjunct nursing faculty.

Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to apply concepts learned for the establishment and implementation of virtual meetings in traditional and adult-focused nursing programs.

June (2008) reported almost 70% of teaching faculty in the United States are employed part-time. With larger numbers of adjunct faculty, the need for consistency, effective communication, and a connection with the institution becomes challenging (Johnson & Stevens, 2008).

In a study of nursing faculty perspectives of the workplace, Kuehn (2010) reported common themes of connecting, collaboration and care as significant to fostering a healthy academic workplace. With utilization of part time/adjunct faculty in RN to BSN programs, the challenge exists to create environments where faculty can communicate collegially, share strategies, contribute to curriculum development, and participate in professional development. The use of an online learning system is an efficient venue for meeting these challenges.

Faculty from a large university RN to BSN program led an initiative to establish formal faculty meetings utilizing Blackboard, an online learning system. Collaborating with university stakeholders, the faculty team created formal quarterly online meetings. Effective program changes and initiatives have resulted from the online faculty meeting experiences. This online initiative will be described which promotes communication, faculty development, and mentoring. Implementation, challenges, and lessons learned from the experience will be presented.

Learner objectives

The learner will be able to recognize innovative use of an online learning system to enhance communication and collegiality among part time/adjunct nursing faculty.

The learner will be able to apply concepts learned for the establishment and implementation of virtual meetings in traditional and adult-focused nursing programs.

References
Johnson, C., & Stevens, C. (2008, Winter-Spring). Creating links: An inclusive faculty development initiative. Adult Learning, 19(2), 26-29. http://alx.sagepub.com

June, A. W. (2008, May 23). A philosopher stirs up the world of adjuncts. Chronicle of Higher Education, 54(37), A-1. http://chronicle.com

Kuehn, M. (2010). Creating a healthy work environment for nursing faculty. Creative Nursing, 16(4), 193-197. doi:10.1891/1078-4535.16.4.193

See more of: Leadership Posters Session 2
See more of: Oral Paper & Poster: Leadership Sessions