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Susan A. Seibert, MSN, RN, DNP Student
Elizabeth Bonham, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, Faculty Mentor
Background of the Problem. An estimated 1.2 million RN job openings will occur by 2020. Dedicated Education Units (DEUs) have demonstrated the ability to increase clinical placements and thereby increase nursing school enrollment. As an innovative academic practice partnership, DEUs utilize the expertise of staff nurses to instruct students in patient care. However, staff nurses do not inherently have knowledge of teaching strategies while instructing undergraduate nursing students in the clinical environment; thus, necessitating supplementary education about clinically- based teaching strategies.
Project Purpose: The goal of this project is to create, implement, and evaluate a curriculum which will equip DEU staff nurses with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to teach undergraduate nursing students in the clinical setting.
Method: The curriculum was designed as an eight- hour workshop utilizing evidence based teaching methodology. Evaluation of the workshop’s effectiveness will be in the form of a posttest survey on the staff nurses’ perceived increase in the following categories: knowledge about teaching and learning principles, general clinical education skills, attitude toward nursing students, and self-efficacy in the clinical instructor role.
Theoretical Basis: The USI DEU model, which includes the curriculum to educate staff nurses, is based on Wenger’s Community of Practice Theory. On the DEU, health care workers share a common domain of interest (quality patient care) and collaborate to enhance the practice, further professional expertise, and augment institutional knowledge. The curriculum developed for this capstone project provides instruction on how to clinically educate nursing students, foster role socialization, and work together to optimize the learning of all members.
Implications for Practice: An effective curriculum will provide three distinct outcomes: 1) DEU staff RNs who are knowledgeable and confident in their role as clinical educators 2) consistent, quality clinical instruction for DEU students and 3) an evidence-based template to prepare DEU staff nurses.