Nurse Educator IV: Role of the Nurse Educator – NURS 620

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 05/27/2022

Course Description

This course is designed for students who elect to utilize their selected area of advanced practice knowledge and related practicum experiences by serving as nurse educators. Students are guided to continue working with preceptors to fulfill clinical and educational objectives that were developed and initiated in NURS 618. A research project that leads to the writing of a scholarly paper suitable for publication is required.

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.

Rationale

This course is designed to further develop knowledge and expertise within a specific area of specialization for advanced nursing practice with a primary focus on the role of nurse educator. In addition, the research component of this course provides the student with a valuable foundation for future doctoral studies.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt. Each thread must be at least 500 words and be supported by at least 1 scholarly journal article and 1 biblical reference in current APA format. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be at least 250 words and cite at least 1 scholarly journal article and 1 biblical reference (CLO B & A)

Integrative Literature Review Assignments (3)

This is a research project that provides the opportunity for delving into the professional literature in a particular area of interest. The project serves as a basis for an evidence-based initiative and may be developed as a manuscript suitable for publication. The assignment will be divided into 3 parts (CLO C, G, & E). 

Professional Portfolio Assignments (3)

As part of the requirements for all final practicum courses, the senior graduate student is required to complete portfolios that highlight components of his/her coursework, special projects, and practicum experiences. This portfolio is to be created using Typhon and published for the instructor’s review. This assignment will be divided into 3 parts (CLO F). 

Practicum Clinical Log Assignments (3)

The Practicum/Clinical Log is the documentation of the 200-hour practicum experience of which 50 hours will be completed in this course. The documentation is to be completed in Typhon. Instructions for setting up Typhon are found in the MSN Handbook. The log must be comprehensive in details related to the experiences in the field and reflective of the National League for Nursing (NLN) competencies. The discussion must be in-depth and analytical. It must also include examples of how the student has applied the NLN competencies and readings from the textbooks and professional literature in the practicum setting. Any citations must be provided in current APA format. Upon final approval of the practicum goals and objectives, the student will work on practicum hours weekly. Log submissions will be entered in Typhon (CLO B, C, & G). 

NOTE: In addition to accruing the required number of practicum hours, there must be a passing grade for the practicum experience which includes the following: progression with the student’s established goals and objectives, an in-depth documentation of the practicum experiences as evidenced in the clinical log, and satisfactory preceptor evaluations. Failure to pass the practicum requirements will result in failure of the course; see the MSN Handbook for practicum expectations related to performance and professionalism.

Integrative Literature Review Digital Poster Assignment

Using the provided Liberty University Poster Template, the student will develop a digital poster of his/her Integrative Literature review process and findings. The digital poster will be suitable in content and quality to be published in a scholarly digital poster presentation venue or printed and disseminated in a professional setting (work place or conference). Dissemination is not required, but the final poster must be of scholarly value that dissemination is acceptable (CLO C, G, & E). 

Quiz: Evaluations (2)

The preceptor will complete an evaluation of the student at the end of the practicum experience. The evaluation will be sent electronically over a secured server through Typhon to the preceptor. The instructor will retain the preceptor evaluation and may review it with the student upon request. Refer to the MSN Handbook for important detailed information (CLO G).

The student will complete a Self-Evaluation, an Evaluation of Site and Preceptor, and the preceptor will complete an evaluation of the student.

All evaluations must be completed and submitted as directed. Failure to submit any of the end-of-course evaluations will result in a final course grade of an “incomplete.” The student will be unable to progress to the next practicum course until the grade of “incomplete” is resolved.

Self-Evaluation

The student will complete a self-evaluation of his/her practicum experiences using the provided form (required but no point value assigned). The student will upload a screenshot of the completed Self-Evaluation to the Quiz: Self-Evaluation (CLO G).

Student Evaluation of Site and Preceptor

The student will complete an evaluation of the site and preceptor for his/her practicum experience using the form provided. This document must be shared with the preceptor (required but no point value assigned). The student will upload a screenshot of the completed Site and Preceptor Evaluation to the Quiz: Student Evaluation of Site and Preceptor (CLO G).

Preceptor Evaluation

The preceptor will complete an evaluation of the student at the end of the practicum experience. The instructor will electronically send the evaluation to the preceptor via a secured server through Typhon (CLO G).