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

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:

• M.S. in Nursing/Health Care Education
• MS in Nursing - Nursing/Health Care Education
• MS in Nursing/Master of Health Administration

Campus Locations:

Lathrop
Salida
Fairfield
Pasadena
Woodland Hills
Elk Grove
San Jose
Costa Mesa
Online
Sacramento
Los Angeles
Roseville
Gardena
Livermore
Rancho Cordova
Oakland
Palm Desert
San Francisco
Diamond Bar
Bakersfield
Ontario
Fresno
Murrieta
Lancaster

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 Administration
• Bachelor of Science Completion in Nursing Administration with Nurse Case Manager Emphasis (Online)

Campus Locations:

San Diego
San Marcos
National City

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: Nursing Education
• M.S. in Nursing: Nursing Education (Bridge)
• M.S. in Nursing: Nursing Leadership in Health Care Systems

Campus Locations:

Phoenix

DeVry University

Campus

DeVry University provides quality education that employers respect, and is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (ncahlc.org), the same organization that accredits many other well-known public and private schools.

Programs:

• Master's-Science In Education

Campus Locations:

Alhambra

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:

• Post-Masters Certificates in Nursing - Nursing Education
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (D.N.P.) - General
• M.S. in Nursing (MSN) - BSN Track

University of St. Mary

Online

Give your career a boost with University of Saint Mary. We offer online degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels to help make your educational and professional goals a reality.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing

American InterContinental University Online

Campus

American InterContinental University Online's flexible curriculum allows you to study when and where it's most convenient. Earn your degree at an accelerated pace from an accredited school that is respected by employers.

Programs:

• Master's (M. Ed.) in Educational Assessment and Evaluation

Campus Locations:

Schaumburg

Northcentral University

Campus

Earn your degree online and boost your career at Northcentral University. We offer online doctoral, master's, and bachelor's degree programs in education, behavioral and health sciences, and business.

Programs:

• International Education - Doctor of Education
• Global Training and Development - Doctor of Education
• General Education - Master of Education

Campus Locations:

Prescott Valley

West Coast University

Campus

Achieve your educational and professional goals with help from West Coast University. We offer accelerated Health Care Administration degrees designed for working adults like you.

Programs:

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Campus Locations:

Anaheim
Ontario

Career Colleges of America

Campus

Get your career started with Career Colleges of America. We have four campuses in the Los Angeles area offering a wide variety of allied health training programs.

Programs:

• Vocational Nurse

Campus Locations:

Gardena
South Gate
San Bernardino
Los Angeles

Roseman University

Online

The USN accelerated online program offers accelerated nursing education that allows you to earn a BSN in just 14 months. This new program blends the personal convenience of online course study with enriching clinical learning in Henderson, Nevada.

Programs:

• Accelerated BSN

Chamberlain College of Nursing

Campus

Take the first step toward advancing your nursing career. Chamberlain College of Nursing offers a highly respected degree coupled with clinical learning experience in your local area.

Programs:

• Master of Science in Nursing

Campus Locations:

Addison

The University of Liverpool

Campus

Advance your career and increase your earning potential with a masters or a doctoral degree from the University of Liverpool. Study online in small groups of business professionals.

Programs:

• Doctor of Education (Higher Education)

Campus Locations:

Online

Saint Xavier University

Campus

Saint Xavier University is a Catholic, coeducational, comprehensive university focused on the liberal arts, and offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs to students across the country.

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