Enhancing Faculty Competency and Practice through Faculty Development

Purpose: This presentation will demonstrate a structured faculty development program that enhances the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for beginning and experienced nurse educators within a creative and supportive environment for teaching and learning nursing. The framework for this faculty development program includes the formation of an organizational infrastructure that facilitates the successful implementation of faculty development initiatives. Also important to the infrastructure is formation of a culture that supports and recognizes scholarly teaching, and facilitates socialization and role development for nurse educators across learning environments. Finally, faculty development initiatives guide, develop, and evaluate the pedagogical knowledge base, nurse educator competencies, and learner-centered strategies required by nurse educators to optimize student learning, foster positive teaching and learning environments, and advance the scholarship of their role.

Methods: In order to test the effectiveness of the Master Instruction model, a pilot study was conducted with a purposive sample of online faculty and student participants. Important themes emerged regarding faculty and student perceptions about teaching and learning, which will be elaborated upon in this symposium.

Results: Enhanced knowledge, skills, and attitudes for beginning and experienced nurse educators within a creative and supportive environment for teaching and learning nursing. The framework for this program includes: (a) formation of an organizational infrastructure that facilitates successful implementation of faculty development initiatives, (b) formation of a culture that supports and recognizes scholarly teaching, and (c) use of evidence-based pedagogical strategies that promote and sustain positive teaching and learning experiences. 

Conclusion: The formation of an organizational infrastructure that facilitates the successful implementation of faculty development initiatives. Also important to the infrastructure is formation of a culture that supports and recognizes scholarly teaching, and facilitates socialization and role development for nurse educators across learning environments. Finally, faculty development initiatives guide, develop, and evaluate the pedagogical knowledge base, nurse educator competencies, and learner-centered strategies required by nurse educators to optimize student learning, foster positive teaching and learning environments, and advance the scholarship of their role.