NSP II is a nursing and nurse faculty workforce intervention.
NSP II funds the education, recruitment, retention and professional development of nurse educators. We provide the Cohen Scholars (CS) program, New Nurse Faculty Fellowship (NNFF), Nurse Educator Doctoral Grants for Practice and Dissertation Research (NEDG), the Academic Nurse Educator Certification (ANEC) and the Nurse Faculty Annual Recognition (NFAR) awards through Statewide Initiatives which are faculty and nurse educator grants.
Each additional nurse educator supports 8-10 new nurses entering the workforce. We value nursing education as a career path.
Roles for Nurse Educators
Academic Nursing Educator:
A nurse educator can serve in a variety of roles as full or part-time faculty, adjunct faculty, clinical instructor, administrator, or even a dean of a college/university of nursing. As a faculty member, some of the responsibilities may include: planning/teaching curriculum, engaging in scholarly work, writing grant proposals, speaking/presenting at conferences, and performing other responsibilities to meet the mission, vision, and goals of the college/university. Generally, academic nurse educators have at least a master's degree but doctoral preparation is preferred or required. To meet the demands of the nursing shortage, nursing programs are either expanding or increasing their graduation rates. So, it has placed a tremendous burden on nursing education and faculty to try to meet the growing demand. “The AACN found that, on average, nearly two full-time positions go unfilled in nursing school annually" (Fisher, 2016, p. 2). The Future of Nursing report released by the Institute of Medicine (2010) issued a call for doubling the number of nurses prepared with a doctorate degree by 2020.
Educational settings (colleges or universities) seek experts with clinical experience. Research experience may also be expected.
Certified Nurse Educator Exam
The academic nurse educator certification was created to establish nursing education as a specialty area of practice and create a means for faculty to demonstrate their expertise in this role. They fulfill professor, associate professor, assistant professor and other professional roles in nursing programs.
CNE® Eligibility
CNE® Exam Prep
Certified Academic Clinical Nurse Educator Exam
The academic clinical nurse educator may have a variety of titles depending on the classification used by the specific nursing education program (e.g., clinical faculty, part-time faulty, adjunct faculty, clinical instructor, or preceptor).
CNE®cl Eligibility
CNE®cl Exam Prep
Nursing Professional Development Practitioner:
"Nursing Professional Development (NPD) is a specialized nursing practice that facilitates the professional role development and growth of nurses and other healthcare personnel along the continuum from novice to expert" (ANPD, 2016, p. 6). In the past, Nursing Professional Development (NPD) Practitioners have been identified by multiple titles. Alternative terms may include: clinical nurse educator, nurse educator, program coordinator, clinical education specialist, orientation specialist, staff development officer, continuing education specialist and education specialist.
The NPD practitioner works in the clinical setting (hospitals, community health department, long-term care facilities, home care agencies clinics), professional associations, continuing education programs and in medical industries (pharmaceutical and medical device companies). Depending on the care setting, the position may require different qualifications. The main responsibility for those working in a clinical setting is to educate nurses and other health care providers within the organization. For industry educators, their main audience may be healthcare providers or may work directly with patients. The position requires the NPD to have Nursing Professional Development Certification (NPD-BC):
The Nursing Professional Development board certification is offered through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
Nursing Professional Development:
ANPD NPD Practice Model (2017).
The NPD Generalist role was formerly known as the Nurse Staff Educator. In 2016, the nursing professional organization, ANPD (Association of Nursing Professional Development) released the revised edition to the NPD: Scope and Standards of Practice. In this 3rd ed., the role has been split into the NPD Generalist and NPD Specialist. There are 16 Standards in total. You will see these roles in healthcare organizations such as hospitals, outpatient centers, etc.
Explore the differences between the NPD Generalist and NPD Specialist Harper, M. G. (n.d.). NPD roles: Generalist vs. specialist. Keep knowledge of the clinical care and know how to translate the knowledge to others as well (American Nurse Today, 2018).
Professional Organizations for Nurse Educators:
Professional development is a vital aspect of nursing and nursing organizations serve as the foundation for professional development. Membership in different organizations help to unite nurses, provide continuing education, certification opportunities, educational conferences and role-related competencies. Nursing organizations promote evidence based practices and stimulate practice changes. Professional development is a lifelong process and here are nursing organizations for nurse educators:
•Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD)
•American Association of Colleges of Nursing
•National League for Nursing (NLN)
•Professional Nurse Educators Group (PNEG)
•Association of Community Health Nursing Educators (ACHNE)
References
•American Nurse Today. 2018. Career options for nurse educators.
•Christensen, L. S., & Simmons. L. E. (Eds.) (2020). The scope of practice for academic nurse educators and academic clinical nurse educators (3rd ed.). New York, NY: National League for Nursing.
•Fisher, M. L. (2020). Teaching in nursing. The faculty role. In D. M. Billings & J. A. Halstead (Eds.), Teaching in nursing. A guide for faculty (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
•Harper, M. G. & Maloney, P. (2016). Nursing professional development: Scope & standards of practice (3rd ed.).
Chicago, IL: ANPD.
•Johnson & Johnson. (2009). Johnson and Johnson Nurse Educator 2009.
Scope and Standards of Practice Books
•Christensen, L. S., & Simmons. L. E. (Eds.) (2020). The scope of practice for academic nurse educators and academic clinical nurse educators (3rd ed.). New York, NY: National League for Nursing.
•Harper, M. G. & Maloney, P. (2016). Nursing professional development: Scope & standards of practice (3rd ed.). Chicago, IL: ANPD.
We wish to thank Dr. Pamela Smith and Dr. Rita D'Aoust for organizing the information to assist you in a better understanding of the different nurse educator roles.
If you want to search or consider openings in Maryland, see more about the nurse educator opportunities at https://www.leadnursingforward.org/
