Learning Objective #1: Explore reform necessary in nursing education to prepare future leaders in nursing education

Learning Objective #2: Discuss pedagogical strategies that can be used to prepare nurse educators of the future

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The health care system is experiencing a critical shortage of nurses; however, compounding this problem is the shortage of nurse faculty. As we address the nurse faculty shortage, how are we preparing nurse educators who will teach the next generation of nurses? The adage, “Do as I say, not as I do!” must not be the approach used to prepare future educators. The days of the sage on the stage are long gone. The guide on the side, or even the cyberguide, is necessary to prepare future nurse educators. Leaders in nursing education are challenged to role model effective pedagogical principles and strategies which can be emulated by future nurse educators. The shift from passive, teacher-dominated learning to active, participative, reflective, self-directed, learner-centered learning is essential for educational reform. We tend to teach as we were taught. The challenge will be to use pedagogical strategies that not only prepare teachers to teach, but strategies which will be effective for new generation of learners. Selected pedagogical principles and strategies will be described that can be effective in preparing nurse educators of the future. Innovative learner-centered approaches such as narrative pedagogy, reflective learning journals, use of popular culture for analysis, and service learning can be used to prepare leaders in nursing education. Change is very challenging; the shift from teacher-directed to a learner-centered approach causes dissonance for both teachers and learners. The paradigm shift to active engagement of the learner will help us to achieve excellence and leadership in the preparation of nursing educators; which, in turn, will impact the preparation of future nurses.