A teacher has been defined as “a person who provides schooling for students. The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out by way of occupation at a place of formal education” (Wikipedia, 2010).
According to Billings & Halstead (2009), “teaching competencies are the knowledge, skills and values that are critical to the fulfillment of the teaching component of the faculty role” (p.11).
But is any trained nurse capable of teaching? There is a defined scope of practice for a nurse and nurses who perform the ‘art’ of nursing must do so within this scope. However, is there a scope of practice for nurse educators? Should there be?
The definition of teaching continues on stating that …. A person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain credentials from a university. These professional qualifications may include the study of pedagogy, the ‘science’ of teaching (Wikipedia, 2010).
As stated by Dr. Edwards in her video (unit 3), nursing is a unique profession to teach in as it is one of the few professions that requires evaluation in clinical practice; not just teaching of theory compared to teachers who teach in non-practice related disciplines.
So, does having a BN degree or even an MN degree provide a nurse with the credentials to teach? According to Zabat Kan & Stabler-Haas (2009), “The education of nursing students requires a balance between theoretical knowledge and clinical application—what some refer to as the science and art of nursing” (p. ix).
We all remember a clinical instructor who has worked for ‘years and years’ on the floor and was recruited to teach. Although these individuals have significant clinical expertise, they may lack the knowledge and skill to convey that expertise to students (Zabat Kan & Stabler-Haas, 2009).
The Canadian Nurses Association states that, in their scope of practice, “RNs anchor health care team, lead formal research activities, manage nursing services, develop and deliver nursing education to all nursing providers and contribute to healthy public policy” (CNA, 2007, p.19).
The National League for Nursing identifies eight Nurse Educator Competencies and these are outlined in Billings
- Facilitating learning
- Facilitate learner development and socialization
- Use assessment and evaluation strategies
- Participate in curriculum design and evaluation of program outcomes
- Function as a change agent and leader
- Pursue continuous quality improvement in the nurse educator role
- Engage in scholarship
- Function within the educational requirement
Would these competencies be considered as the scope of practice for a nurse educator? If so, would all nurse-educators need to be competent in each and every one of these areas?
Please look at this YouTube video. Does it accurately describe the scope of practice of a nurse educator? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmT1XdOMs5U
As mentioned before, nurse-educators work in both the classroom and clinical settings. Would the scope of practice for the teacher be the same in both areas? Remember, nurse educators working in the clinical areas need to do many things such as:
- organizing the clinical experience,
- developing relationships with the staff in the clinical facilities
- making clinical assignments,
- planning orientation days,
- developing clinical rotations,
- planning and facilitating pre- and post-conferences,
- doing clinical evaluations,
- handling legal issues of clinical education,
- handling the student who is in jeopardy of failing the clinical course.
(Zabat Kan & Stabler-Haas, 2009)
Although the scope of practice of the nursing profession defines the boundaries of the discipline of nursing, the scope of practice of an individual nurse is actually constrained by her or his education and experience as well as the authority given to that nurse to perform the functions contained within the definition of the practice of nursing (College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia (CRNNS), 2004).
Another thing to think about: can the nurse-educator just teach anything that he/she wants to? Would it be out of our scope of practice as an educator to do so?
We need to be accountable to our regulating bodies as well as our educational institutions with what information we teach.
So, let’s look at the question again: Do you agree that ‘any’ nurse is capable of teaching?
Additional readings: Billings