Responsibilities of a Nurse Educator in Staff Development

According to Nursesource.org, a nurse educator (NE) combines clinical expertise and a passion for teaching. These professionals, who work in the classroom and in the practice setting, are responsible for preparing and mentoring current and future generations of nurses. Nurse educators play a pivotal role in strengthening the workforce in hospitals, long-term care facilities and home healthcare agencies. They serve as role models and provide the leadership needed to implement best practices.

Survey of Needs

• An NE may participate in orientation and test new hires. He may also track the progress of new employees. The NE works closely with department managers, other educators, and sometimes physicians to determine training needs. He will attend department meetings and network with other organizations. It is also necessary to keep abreast of policy changes from the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Hospitals, OSHA, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, etc.

Curriculum Development

• A Nurse Educator identifies his audience for a particular training. He then establishes objectives, researches current literature, selects content and visuals, perhaps schedules speakers. According to Nurselearn.com, pre-developed materials are available for some subjects. For other areas, the NE may have to create materials, perhaps PowerPoint presentations, handouts or exercises. The NE may also prepare assessment and evaluation materials.

Administrative Duties

• The NE may also have to advertise training sessions, using posters, flyers, brochures, emails, whatever works, and then sign people up for classes. She will have to choose from netlearning, podcasting and webcasts and set these up if appropriate. The NE may have to keep track of equipment. There are logistical arrangements to be made for rooms, times, etc., keeping in mind the needs of different shifts.

Subjects of Training

• The NE makes presentations or conducts workshops. She will probably deal with mandatory training and with general subjects such subjects as advance directives, universal precautions, behavioral health issues, workplace safety, latex allergy, safe medication practices, seizure disorders, and measuring vital signs. Other subjects might include documentation, use of restraints, blood-borne pathogens, fire and electrical safety, hazardous materials, preventing falls and other critical events and back safety.

Educator Position

• Usually an NE starts as a nurse, becomes a great staff nurse, and then is promoted to a unit educator. It’s usually another step up to being in charge of an overall Staff Development Plan. Often a nurse will pick up her MSN along the way. It is common for an NE’s salary to be the same as when she was working as a nurse. Her schedule may be more flexible, but she may also put in many hours to be able to reach all shifts or to meet with orientees on a weekend

Professional Support

• The National Nursing Staff Development Organization (NNSDO) works “to foster the art and science of nursing staff development.” It encourages and supports nursing research and the application of findings. The NNSDO promotes the image and professional status of nursing staff development and provides a platform for nurses engaged in staff development practice to discuss issues and make decisions.