The Role of Clinical Nurse Educators
Advanced registered nursing graduates are entering the profession at dynamic time when roles and scope of practice are shifting based on developments in legislation and policy in response to the evolving needs of the health care system. Professional nursing organizations play an important role in making sure the perspectives of advanced registered nurses are heard, and in supporting nurse specialties in their efforts to expand their scope of practice and their full participation throughout the health care system.
For this assignment, you will conduct research on the current scope of practice for your specialty and efforts that are being made to expand that scope and the role of the advanced registered nurse in positively influencing the health care system. Write a 1,250-1,500 word paper that includes the following:
A discussion of the scope of your future role as an advanced registered nurse, including any regulatory, certification, or accreditation agencies that define that scope.
A discussion of three professional nursing organizations that you think are most influential in advancing the scope and influence of advanced nursing. Of these organizations, evaluate the one that you would most like to join. How do its goals and mission fit in with your worldview and philosophy of care? How might membership in this organization improve your practice?
A discussion of a controversial or evolving issue that is most likely to affect your scope of practice or role in the next few years. How do you think this issue could influence the profession and other stakeholders and why does it matter to the advanced registered nurse?
The Role of Clinical Nurse Educators
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The Role of Clinical Nurse Educators
The role of advanced registered nurses has evolved significantly over the years, with clinical nurse educators playing a crucial part in shaping the future of nursing. Owing to my interest in pursuing clinical nurse education in my advanced registered nurse education, this paper examines the current scope of CNEs and the organizations that play a role in expanding the scope. In addition, the paper reviews technological integration as one of the key issues that will have an impact on the future of CNE as a profession.
The main role of an advanced registered nurse specializing as a clinical nurse educator (CNE) is educating nurses working in various healthcare facilities to enhance their ability to deliver high-quality care for their patients. To this end, CNEs educate nurses with associate degrees as well as recently graduated nurses about the latest evidence-based practices (Coffey & White, 2019). Consequently, CNEs are expected to be competent in proficiencies that are expected in clinical nurses such as urinary catheterization, cardiovascular life support skills, I.V. therapy, curriculum development, and a comprehensive understanding of the adult learning theories (Brennan & Olson, 2018). The professional knowledge possessed by CNEs is expected to facilitate the resolution of clinical issues and the formulation of clear policies and procedures used by healthcare facilities within which they work.
Notably, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) establishes the standards and guidelines for advanced nursing practice, including clinical nurse educators. Its guidelines outline the competencies, educational requirements, and professional responsibilities that shape the scope of my role. In addition, one can be able to get accreditation from the National League of Nurses but they are not required by most employers for one to practice as a CNE.
The professional nursing organization has been instrumental in the expansion of the scope and influence of advanced nursing. The National League for Nursing (NLN) (2023) is a key professional organization that has been instrumental in expanding the influence of CNEs as it seeks to bring together influencers in nursing education. To this end, the organization offers professional development, assessment services, networking opportunities, research grants, and advocacy for its members. Another influential organization is the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma). The organization offers a platform for CNEs to collaborate with nurse scholars, leaders, and researchers from around the world and provides opportunities for networking, knowledge sharing, and professional growth through its various chapters, conferences, and research grants. Joining Sigma can enhance a CNE's credibility, open doors for collaborative research projects, and provide access to valuable resources to further advance nursing education. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2023) is another essential professional organization that has been expanding the scope and influence of advanced nurses, The organization represents baccalaureate and higher-degree nursing education programs and directs its efforts toward advocating for and advancing nursing research, practice, and education. CNEs can benefit from AACN's initiatives in areas such as curriculum development, educational policy, and fostering collaborations between academia and practice.
Of the three organizations, NLN would be the most ideal organization for me. The organization’s mission aligns with my worldview and philosophy of care, as it emphasizes the importance of high-quality education to prepare competent and compassionate nurses. I believe that the competency of a clinical nurse is largely dependent on their level of education and healthcare facilities must invest their resources towards educating nurses. Thus, I am pursuing CNEs so that I can play an instrumental role in building strong clinical nurses who can maintain a high level of excellence during healthcare delivery. In its core values, NLN indicates that excellence is one of its core values and it seeks to advance excellence and innovation in nurse education across all levels. In addition, the organization’s commitment to acting as a champion for CNEs aligns with my worldview that there is a need to expand the role of CNEs given the essential role they play in enhancing the overall competency of nurses in a healthcare facility. A membership in NLN will improve my practice by providing access to resources, networking opportunities, and professional development programs specifically tailored to clinical nurse educators.
A significant issue that is significantly affecting the scope of practice for CNEs is the increasing emergence of technology and its integration into nursing education. Specifically, there have been divided opinions on the introduction of virtual learning modalities as well as artificial learning in nursing...