1. Nurse Educator
Climbing the Clinical Ladder from T.A.P. to Nursing Education
Presenter: Darlene LoPresto, B.S.N., R.N.C.

2. Seminar Objectives
Verbalizes understanding of role focus for Nurse Educator
Increase knowledge of Nurse Educator practice environments
Become familiar with concept of nursing scopes of practice
State degree required to practice as a Nurse Educator

3. Definition & Qualifications: Nurse Educator
A registered nurse who holds a Master’s or Doctoral degree working in an academic faculty position
Possess advanced education and clinical training
Specialty areas include acute care, cardiology, family health, oncology, pediatrics, and mental health
Strong critical thinking skills
Excellent communication skills
Advisement and counseling skills

4. Historical Evolution James Derham 1836 Deaconess Institute, Germany
1860 St. Thomas Hospital, London
1885 Japan
1872 America
1886 African-Americans
schools of nursing in United States
1949 Community Colleges

5. Nurse Educator: Role Focus
Part time clinical faculty, up to Dean of department
Develop course/programs of study
Teaching/guiding students
Assist students with learning needs
Assure quality experiences
Future oriented

6. Scope of Practice Who, What, When, Where, Why & How of practice
The American Nurses Association Nursing Scope & Standards of Practice (2004)
National League for Nursing The Scope of Practice for Academic Nurse Educators (2007).
Standards described the nursing responsibilities and guidelines for professional practice.
ie: Standard #1. Assessment

7. Facilitate student development & socialization
Facilitate Learning
Facilitate student development & socialization
Use assessment & evaluation strategies
Participate in design & evaluation
Change agent & leader
Quality Improvement
Engage in Scholarships
Function within the educational environment
Competencies
Are specific roles and functions of nurse educators which demonstrate mastery in an advanced nursing role.

8. Environments of Practice
Community Colleges & Universities
Hospital based nursing schools
Community health departments
Home Care
Long Term care
Research programs
High schools

9. Practice Outcomes Evidence-based nursing instruction format
Improve quality of patient care
Enhanced professional autonomy
Promote improved patient outcomes

10. Interesting Statistics
2.9 million registered nurses/advanced practice nurses
Demand 40%, supply 6%
need 1.2 million new nurses
Need 2.8 million nurses by 2020
2006: 2/3 of nurse educators are age 45-60
2006: 2/3 of nurse educators will retire within 5-15 years

11. References
Hooten, J. & Shipman, D. (2008). Without enough nurse educators there will be a continual decline in RNs and the
quality of nursing care: Contending with the faculty shortage. Nurse Education Today, 28(5, July),
National League for Nursing. (2007) The Scope of Practice for Academic Nurse Educators. New York, NY: National
League for Nursing.
National League for Nursing. (200). Nurse Educator Competencies: Creating an evidence-based practice for nurse
educators. New York, NY: National League for Nursing.
National League for Nursing: Certification. Retrieved September 6, 2008 from
National League for Nursing: About the NLN. Retrieved September 6, 2008 from
Nurses For A Healthier Tomorrow: Nurse Educator. Retrieved September 6, 2008, from
Penz, K.L. & Bassendowski, S.L. (2006). Evidence-based nursing in clinical practice: Implications for Nurse Educators.
The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing., 37(6): , 269.
Ream, K.A. (2007, May). The NLN-No stranger to the new congress. Nursing Education Policy. Retrieved September 6,
2008, from