Mastering the Core Competencies of Nurse Educator Practice

A core competency in a nursing field refers to the fundamental knowledge or expertise necessary to carry out required tasks. “Nurse educators are so connected to academia, where there is constant evaluation, publishing, research,” says Mandy Defonce, head of the nursing department at a New York university. “So the idea of core competencies is included in the coursework from day one, which I think is really important for nurses who want to succeed.”

In nurse educator practice, there are eight core competencies, published by the National League for Nursing in 2005. The competencies offer an all-embracing framework for preparing new nurse educators, putting the nurse educator role into practice and assessing nurse educator practice.

1. Facilitate Learning

As a nurse educator, you will be responsible for creating a productive learning environment. “Nurse educators don’t just work in the classroom,” says Mandy. “I spent five years training research nurses in a laboratory, which is a totally different environment.” Nurse educators also teach or provide training in clinical settings. Try and get as much experience as possible in different learning environments.

2. Facilitate Learner Development and Socialization

Nurse educators accept accountability for helping their students to develop and improve. They also must provide a good example for students, integrating the nursing values they are teaching into their own behavior.

3. Use Assessment and Evaluation Strategies

“Some students with a background in other nursing fields have a hard time with this one because they’re not used to evaluating others,” explains Mandy. However, it’s important for nurse educators to get comfortable with a variety of strategies for assessing and evaluating how much their students have learned.

4. Participate in Curriculum Design and Evaluation of Program Outcomes

Nurse educators must keep up with contemporary health care trends so they can design curricula that reflect those trends, preparing graduates to work well in the current health care environment. Nurse educators also create and evaluate program outcomes.

5. Function as a Change Agent and Leader

Nurse educators are expected to function as “change agents and leaders to create a preferred future for nursing education and nursing practice,” according to the National League for Nursing, but how do you teach leadership? “Nursing students who want to teach should be provided with as many leadership opportunities as possible,” says Mandy, “but sometimes true leadership comes with years of experience. Confidence is a big part of it.”

6. Pursue Continuous Quality Improvement in the Nurse Educator Role

No nursing field is ever without change, and good nurse educators need to have a lifelong commitment to developing and maintaining their abilities. “Yes, it really is a multidimensional role,” says Mandy. “I didn’t know when I entered the education field that I would one day be required to train students in EMR-certification. For someone who didn’t know the first thing about computers, I’ve come a long way.”

7. Engage in Scholarship

What does scholarship mean? It includes teaching itself, as well as research, publishing, participating in seminars, giving lectures, and authoring educational tools. “Depending on where you work, scholarship may or may not be an integral part of your job,” says Mandy. “Obviously those at universities will be more outwardly involved in scholarship, but it’s definitely an important core competency for all nurse educators.”

8. Function within the Educational Environment

“Some nurses just don’t function well in an educational environment,” Mandy admits. “You have to be aware of the specific environment in which you’re practicing and not step on anyone’s toes. You have to be careful not to offend, while still making sure the needs of your own department are being heard, you have to understand the community—is it racially diverse, is it homogenous, is it low-income, is it religious, how does the community impact the style of education? This is a pretty big one.”

Understanding and mastering these eight core competencies will not only give you a strong foundation from which to advance in your chosen profession, but will also ensure that you measure up to professional evaluation, whether from your peers or your superiors. Skilled nurse educators enjoy competitive salaries and challenging career opportunities, so the more motivated you are to master the foundations, the more control you have over your future.

Earn Your Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Educator Degree Online
Prepare yourself for a vital role in nurse education, training or staff development through earning your MSN - Nurse Educator degree online. Online MSN - Nurse Educator programs allows busy nursing professionals the flexibility to learn on their schedule. Transform the future of health care - one student at a time. Explore Nurse Educator Online Programs

MSN - Nurse Educator Programs M.S. in Nursing Education RN - MSN/Nurse Educator MSN - Nurse Educator MS in Nursing/Education MSN Healthcare Education

Top Nursing Schools College Network Indiana State University University of Phoenix Walden University South University

Kaplan University

Campus

Advance your career and get the distinct competitive advantage you need with an online degree from Kaplan University. And do it without missing a day of work.

Programs:

• MS in Nursing - Nurse Educator
• MS in Nursing
• RN to MS in Nursing

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

University of Phoenix

Campus

As the largest private university in North America, University of Phoenix has more than 200 locations, and is available online in most countries around the world. Whether you're seeking a college degree at an associate's, bachelor's, master's, or doctoral level, we can help you reach your academic goal—and sooner than you might think.

Programs:

• MS in Nursing - Nursing/Health Care Education
• M.S. in Nursing/Health Care Education
• BS in Nursing (RN Required)

Campus Locations:

Online
Woodland Hills
Las Vegas
Jacksonville
Mesa
Rancho Cordova
Palm Beach Gardens
Chandler
Fort Lauderdale
Phoenix
Hollywood
Westminster
Maitland
Arlington
Los Angeles
Fairfield
Reston
Plantation
Littleton
Lone Tree
Henderson
Pasadena
Gardena
San Jose
Fairfax
Elk Grove
Oakland
Sacramento
Clearwater
Roseville
Southfield
Costa Mesa
Livermore
Manassas
Lathrop
Miami
Salida
Ann Arbor
Tucson
Murrieta
St Louis Park
Bakersfield
San Francisco
Irving
Nashville
Ontario
Clinton Township
Hurst
Troy
Daytona Beach
Diamond Bar
Killeen
Sarasota
Temple Terrace
Houston
Saint Louis
Livonia
Grand Rapids
Dallas
Beachwood
Tampa
Sugar Land
Independence
Baton Rouge
Aurora
Saint Paul
San Antonio
Westlake
St. Louis
Spring
Flint
East Lansing
San Diego
Fresno
Lancaster
Orlando
Portage
Palm Desert

CollegeAmerica

Campus

Finally, a college that delivers. CollegeAmerica is truly unique in that their curriculum is designed for one purpose and one purpose only: to prepare students for success.

Programs:

• Master of Science in Nursing Education (Online)
• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing (Online)
• Associate Degree in Nursing

Campus Locations:

Cheyenne
Denver
Flagstaff
Phoenix
Colorado Springs
Fort Collins

Stevens-Henager

Campus

For more than 119 years, Stevens-Henager College has worked to train generations of graduates for new careers. Stevens-Henager College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC). Our degree programs, designed to help graduates compete in the ever-evolving employment market, include Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Surgical Technology, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, Computer Science, and Graphic Arts*. Online programs are offered via Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray. Stevens-Henager College Idaho Falls is a branch campus of the CollegeAmerica, Flagstaff, AZ, main campus.

*Check each campus for program availability.

Programs:

• Master of Science in Nursing Education
• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing
• Associate Degree in Nursing Education

Campus Locations:

Murray
Layton
Boise
Ogden
Orem
Logan
Saint George
Lehi
Idaho Falls
Nampa

California College San Diego

Campus

California College San Diego (CCSD) offers degree programs in Medical Specialties, Respiratory Therapy, Healthcare Administration, Business Management and Accounting, Computer Technology and Networking, Computer Programming, and Computer Science. Online programs are offered by our affiliated college, Stevens-Henager College, Salt Lake City/Murray.

Programs:

• Master of Science in Nursing Education (Online)
• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing (Online)
• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing Administration with Clinical Nurse Educator Emphasis (Online)

Campus Locations:

San Marcos
San Diego
National City

American Sentinel University Online

Online

Advance your career with the right online degree. ACCIS offers self-paced, real-world programs in Computer Science, Information Systems, Management Information Systems, and Business Administration.

Programs:

• MS Nursing - Education
• MS Nursing - Case Management
• MS Nursing - Infection Prevention and Control

Herzing University

Campus

Herzing University brought its tradition of high-quality programs to the Internet by offering some of the same courses taught at its U.S. campuses in an online format. Herzing University instructors who are specially trained to teach online teach these selected courses.

Programs:

• MS in Nursing with a Concentration in Nursing Education
• BS in Nursing (Florida)
• BS in Nursing - Bridge Program

Campus Locations:

Madison
Birmingham
Winter Park

Saint Xavier University

Campus

“Success with Purpose” is the hallmark of a Saint Xavier University education that is grounded in the tradition of liberal arts. SXU offers graduate and post-graduate programs that are recognized and respected by employers and delivered by professional faculty who are experts in their fields. Founded in 1846 by the Sisters of Mercy, SXU is Chicago's oldest Catholic University, and it is recognized as one of the top 40 comprehensive master's universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges 2010.

Programs:

• Nurse Educator Certificate
• MSN in Clinical Leadership

Campus Locations:

Chicago

Keiser University

Campus

Keiser University eCampus Online offers degrees in fields that are in high demand and provides job placement assistance to all its students and alumni.

Programs:

• Nursing, MS

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

Grand Canyon University

Campus

Don't Miss a Day of Your Future! Grand Canyon University is offering Bachelor and Master degrees through our College of Education, Ken Blanchard College of Business, College of Nursing & Health Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, and College of Entrepreneurship. Classes start soon!

Programs:

• M.S. in Nursing: Public Health
• M.S. in Nursing: Public Health (Bridge)
• M.S. in Nursing: Health Care Informatics

Campus Locations:

Phoenix

Keiser University Campus

Campus

Keiser University offers accredited degree programs in today's high-demand careers: Healthcare, Technology, Paralegal, Business, Nursing and Legal Studies.

Programs:

• Nursing, BS (Online Only)
• Nursing, AS
• Nursing, MS (Online Only)

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale
Fort Myers
Jacksonville
Tampa
Port Saint Lucie
Melbourne
Sarasota
Orlando
Lakeland
Tallahassee
West Palm Beach
Miami
Daytona Beach

Walden University

Online

Balance your personal and professional commitments while earning a respected Ph.D., master's degree, or bachelor's degree online at Walden University. Programs offered in management, education, psychology and health and human services.

Programs:

• M.S. in Nursing (MSN) - BSN Track
• Post-Masters Certificates in Nursing - Nursing Education
• B.S. in Nursing (BSN)

Keiser University Graduate School

Campus

Keiser University offers accredited degree programs in today's high-demand careers: Healthcare, Technology, Paralegal, Business, Nursing and Legal Studies.

Programs:

• Nursing, MS (Online)
• Education, MS (Online)
• Education, MS - Teaching and Learning (Online)

Campus Locations:

Fort Lauderdale

Fortis Institute

Campus

Looking to prepare for your dream career? Fortis Institute can give you the skills and training you need to succeed in the fast-growing and high-demand healthcare field. * Programs vary by location * Please contact each individual campus for accreditation information * Fortis Institute - Indianapolis advertising code is AC-0163.

Programs:

• Associate Degree in Nursing

Campus Locations:

Dayton
Cincinnati
Richmond
Pensacola
Tampa
Largo
Salt Lake City
Cuyahoga Falls
Miami
Indianapolis
Westerville

Kaplan College - KHE

Campus

Don't wait another day to take the next step forward in your career. Kaplan College can give you the real-world knowledge and skills you need to succeed in your chosen field.

Programs:

• Associate of Science: Nursing

Campus Locations:

Las Vegas