Clinical Nurse Instructor Competencies: An Exploratory Study of Role Requirements

Abstract

Background: Baccalaureate nursing education consists of theoretical and practical training that prepares students for the role of competent nursing care providers. The practical application of knowledge and skills is vital in nursing curricula worldwide. Nursing programs have changed over the last few decades and have become increasingly dependent on part-time clinical instructors (CIs) to teach the clinical components of the curricula. However, CIs receive minimal instruction to prepare for this complex role. It has been acknowledged in Canada that there is limited research to inform CI-specific competencies.

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to conduct an exploratory study to identify the CIs perceptions of the importance of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) nurse educator core competencies and their importance to the clinical teaching role.

Methodology: This was an exploratory quantitative study. A self-report survey was developed guided by the WHO’s Nurse Educator Core Competencies (NECC). Donabedian’s structure-process-outcome conceptual framework guided this study.

Sample and setting: Convenience sampling of participants employed as CIs in a baccalaureate in nursing program in an Ontario university. CIs who taught theory courses were excluded. The survey response rate was 23.9% (n = 27).

Results: The study results confirm that all the NECC have merit but need to be adapted to a CI-specific role. This is a multi-phased research project and the findings of the study have implications for all stakeholders, including schools of nursing and CIs. Ongoing research is required to inform the policy direction as it pertains to the CI-specific role and competencies in Canada. Implications for nursing programs, research and policy will be shared.

Conclusions: Clinical instruction is an area of nursing which deserves to be acknowledged as a specialty. National standardized CI-specific competencies will provide a strong foundation for CI preparation in Canada.