New Online Program Aims to Elevate Teaching Skills, Prepare Educators for Certification
Belmont University is taking a bold step to enhance nursing education through its new Academic Clinical Nurse Educator Program. With a focus on equipping instructors and preceptors with the latest teaching strategies, the University aims to produce exceptional nurses prepared to handle today's complex health care landscape.
"As the health care field rapidly evolves, we recognized an urgent need to invest in those who shape the minds of our future nurses," said Dr. Julie Honey, dean of nursing. "This program underscores our commitment to elevating nursing education and empowering educators with the tools to cultivate a skilled, compassionate workforce."
The asynchronous, six-week online program aligns with the National League for Nursing's (NLN) essential competencies, offering interactive modules, self-reflection exercises and practical scenarios facilitated by seasoned clinical faculty. Through weekly check-ins and live learning sessions, participants will foster a supportive community while engaging in flexible online learning.
"Nursing education requires a unique blend of clinical expertise and effective teaching methods," said Jessica Savage, assistant professor and certified academic clinical nurse educator. "This program equips educators with evidence-based practices to inspire the next generation of nurses, ensuring they are well-prepared to navigate real-world health care environments."
The course is tailored for educators of pre-licensure nursing students, and it also offers valuable insights for those who desire to enhance their practice as preceptors of new graduate nurses or graduate-level nursing students.
The comprehensive curriculum covers a wide range of educator roles, including teacher/coach, facilitator, protector, socialization agent, leader/influencer, role model and evaluator. Participants will not only enhance their teaching abilities but also gain valuable preparation for the NLN's Academic Clinical Nurse Educator (CNEcl) certification exam. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will earn 18 hours of valuable Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
"We're thrilled to offer a program that not only benefits our own faculty but also extends its reach to preceptors and educators across the nation," said Dr. Tammy Legge, program chair of undergraduate nursing, associate professor and certified academic nurse educator. "By investing in those who shape nursing education, we're ultimately investing in the future of health care itself."
The Academic Clinical Nurse Educator Program is open to clinical faculty, instructors, preceptors and those aspiring to teach in pre-licensure or graduate nursing programs. The inaugural cohort will commence later this month, and enrollment for the next cohort, beginning Oct. 7, 2024, will open Aug. 1.
This program exemplifies the University's commitment to excellence in nursing education, recognizing the pivotal role educators play in shaping skilled, compassionate health care professionals prepared to tackle the challenges of modern medicine.
Discover details about the Academic Clinical Nurse Educator Program.