NURS FPX 6103 Assessment 4 Creating a Professional Development Plan

 

With the rise of telehealth services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, integrating this aspect into the curriculum is another goal. By doing this, I aim to equip future nurses to competently navigate this growing aspect of healthcare delivery. Lastly, cultural competence in nursing is a crucial element that I incorporate into my teachings. As we cater to a diverse patient population, it’s vital for future nurses to provide empathetic and patient-centered care that respects cultural diversity (Jumreornvong et al., 2020).

Influences on the Nurse Educator Role

A variety of forces intersect to shape the role of a nurse educator. In the social domain, increasing cultural diversity within patient and student populations necessitates the incorporation of multicultural education in our nursing curricula. This diversity presents an opportunity to broaden perspectives, teaching students to provide culturally sensitive and patient-centered care. Additionally, health inequities arising from socio-economic disparities need addressing in nursing education, making students aware of these disparities and equipping them to advocate for their patients effectively (Kula et al., 2021).

From an economic perspective, fluctuations in the funding landscape for education, particularly for health-related programs, impact nurse educators. We often find ourselves working within stringent budgets, forcing us to seek cost-effective yet impactful methods of instruction. For example, acquiring high-fidelity manikins for simulation learning can be expensive, requiring us to seek grants or alternative funding sources. The political environment also significantly influences the nurse educator role. Changes in healthcare policy and nursing licensure requirements can necessitate curricular adjustments to ensure that graduates are adequately prepared to meet these evolving regulations. An example is the recent shift toward value-based healthcare, which emphasizes patient outcomes; as nurse educators, we are required to integrate this concept into our teaching (Anderson et al., 2019).

NURS FPX 6103 Assessment 4 Creating a Professional Development Plan

At an institutional level, shifting accreditation standards, and university or college policies directly affect the work of nurse educators. For example, changes in the required student-to-faculty ratios or minimum pass rates on licensure exams could lead to alterations in class sizes, teaching methods, and assessment strategies. In terms of personal influences, acknowledging one’s own assumptions and biases is crucial to maintain fairness in teaching and evaluation. For instance, I recognize my bias towards simulation-based learning due to its effectiveness in my personal teaching experience. However, it’s important to remember that each student has a unique learning style, and what works best for one may not work for all (Kula et al., 2021).

In addition, I’ve noted my assumption that students entering a critical care nursing course will already have a strong foundation in general nursing concepts. However, there can be a wide range in foundational knowledge among students, and it’s essential to tailor teaching strategies to accommodate this variation. Regular self-reflection and seeking feedback from colleagues and students help in recognizing and addressing these biases and assumptions (Anderson et al., 2019). In this way, I can ensure that my teaching methods remain inclusive and effective, providing all students with the best possible learning experience.

Scholarship Plan

In developing my scholarship plan as a nurse educator in critical care, my activities will revolve around three main areas: conducting research, publishing, and presenting. Research forms the backbone of scholarship. I intend to focus my research on areas such as the effectiveness of different teaching methodologies in critical care nursing education and the impact of simulation-based learning on students’ clinical decision-making skills. To achieve this, I will establish research collaborations with colleagues within and outside the nursing department. Interdisciplinary research could provide a broader perspective and deeper insights into these topics (Jeffries, 2022).

Publishing in reputable journals is another important aspect of scholarship. Sharing research findings contributes to the collective knowledge base of nursing education and can help other educators enhance their teaching practices. My target will be to submit my findings to well-respected journals such as the Journal of Nursing Education or Nurse Educator. I also aim to encourage and mentor my students to write and submit their work, thus fostering a culture of scholarship among them.