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Nurse Educators Serve as Teachers, Preceptors and Mentors

Nurse comforting patient in hospital bed

[caption id="attachment_40307" align="alignleft" width="156"]WP_Headshot_EileenWilliamson Eileen Williamson, RN[/caption] Our nurse educator colleagues are an important part of our nursing careers. From the first day of nursing school to the day we defend our dissertation, they are there for us. But how much do we know about their roles? Nurse educators are academic and clinical specialists working in classrooms, online and in practice settings. Prepared at the master's or doctoral level, they serve as faculty in colleges, universities, hospital schools of nursing, or as nurse educators, nurse clinicians or staff development educators in the practice arena. Some teach at the associate or baccalaureate level, others at the master's or doctoral level, and their responsibilities can include curriculum and content development, research, didactic and clinical teaching, testing and student evaluation. In the practice setting, whether acute, home care, long-term care or in the community, they are our teachers, preceptors, mentors, advisers and coaches. They're the ones who orient us when we get to our first job, test us and clear us for work, teach our in-service classes, train us on new equipment and procedures, and keep us current with CE requirements. They have strong leadership, communication, critical-thinking and people skills. They're committed to our growth, development and lifelong learning. They're with us throughout our careers as we take on new roles, hone our skills and advance our education, and they're well-equipped to do it all. They are educated, engaged and enthusiastic about what they do. They play an important part in our education and work life as nurses. What would we do without them? This special edition includes: o Veteran nurse educator reflects on the educator role and its rewards and challenges; o An infographic on how nurse educators feel about their roles; o A look at the benefits of international clinical experience for senior nursing students; o Career-shift strategies for nurses switching specialties; o Information on how nurses can take charge of their own health.