What Are the Tasks of a Clinical Nurse Instructor at a Nursing School?

Clinical nursing instructors at nursing schools perform a variety of duties in their role as teachers of the clinical practice of nursing in hospital and other patient care settings. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, clinical nursing instructors work chiefly in nursing schools affiliated with colleges or universities, but also can work in teaching hospitals, trade schools and business schools.

Teaching

• The primary task of a clinical nursing instructor is to teach nursing students in a clinical setting such as a hospital or clinic. According to job descriptions for Duke University and Maricopa Community College, for example, teaching nursing students encompasses instructing students, facilitating discussions about nursing practice and preparing, administering and grading examinations.

Curriculum Design

• Nursing schools such as the one at Duke University require clinical nursing instructors to participate in curriculum design of courses and provide feedback to senior faculty and nursing school leadership about the best ways to improve coursework. Clinical nursing instructors also work with staff in clinical settings to create optimal clinical experiences for the students.

Evaluation

• Clinical nursing instructors in nursing schools observe nursing students in clinical settings and provide feedback to the students on their performance. Informal evaluation--through verbal feedback in the clinical setting--and formal evaluation, such as end-of-semester reports, are major tasks for a clinical nursing instructor.

Advising Students

• Some nursing schools, such as the one at Duke University, ask clinical nursing instructors to help advise nursing students on clinical and educational problems. Providing professional insight using personal nursing experiences, as well as helping students solve problems on their own, strengthens the educational experience for students.

Faculty Duties

• Clinical nursing instructors at nursing schools like Duke University or Maricopa Community College take part in nonteaching faculty duties such as participating in educational conferences, organizing student extracurricular activities and serving on department committees. Clinical nursing instructors at some schools also prepare reports for national quality organizations or state accrediting agencies.