Date of Conferral

2019

Degree

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

School

Nursing

Advisor

Mary C. Garner

Abstract

A research study conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing noted adjunct faculty educators have significant learning requirements and that nursing education throughout the United States has not met the basic needs of novice adjunct faculty educators. Adjunct faculty at a local community college noted a deficit in the orientation process for new clinical faculty. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to develop a guideline for new clinical faculty orientation. The sources of evidence were a literature review and a survey using the Delphi process with an expert panel comprising a group of 7 interested faculty, seasoned educators, and area hospital nurse educators. The Delphi process was used to achieve consensus on methods to orient adjunct faculty to their new role of clinical nurse educator. The knowledge-to-action cycle was used as the foundation for the adjunct faculty orientation recommendations. Benner's novice-to-expert theory was used as the framework to develop and to evaluate the competency level of adjunct faculty educators. Expert panelists recommended that clinical faculty orientation consist of a mixture of group orientation workshops, peer mentoring, seminar, role-modeling, role play, and written resources. An evidence-based adjunct faculty orientation guideline has the potential to positively affect social change by improving the teaching competence of nurse clinical experts who become new adjunct faculty nurse educators; thereby improving the quality of nursing care given by novice nurses beginning clinical practice, and ultimately, promoting positive outcomes in patient care.

Share

 
COinS