News
May 31, 2023

School Launches Two New 'Earn While You Learn' Programs for Nurses

Christine Kueter
The 2023 cohort of UVA Health RNs who became clinical instructors
Two new opportunities for practicing nurses interested in becoming nurse educators are now online: a Clinical Instructor Workshop and a Nurse Educator Academy.

New nursing faculty development opportunities for UVA Health nurses

As a part of the UVA Health/UVA Medical Center and School of Nursing "Earn While You Learn" partnership program, the School of Nursing is offering two new opportunities for working nurses to pursue professional development and build their future role as nurse educators and nursing student mentors.

These new opportunities both expand working nurses' skills and marketability and help address the need for more nurse educators willing and prepared to nurture the next generation of nurses during clinical rotations, in the classroom, and in the sim lab. 

Clinical instructor Jennifer Gaines teaches the new cohort of instructors
Clinical instructor Jennifer Gaines teaches the new cohort of clinical instructors from UVA Health in June 2023.
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A new clinical instructor takes part in role playing and teaching workshops
A new clinical instructor takes part in role playing and teaching workshops in June 2023.
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A new clinical instructor takes part in role playing and teaching workshops
The new instructors, 18 strong, are all UVA Health RNs with a penchant for teaching and mentoring. During the clinical instructor workshop, they discussed how best to nurture new nursing students.
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Professors Kathryn Reid and Sarah Craig, who, among others, are teaching RNs and NPs to become nurse educators and mentors
Professor Kathryn Reid, left, is the main administrator for the new "Earn While You Learn" programs for nurses at UVA Health. Associate professor Sarah Craig, right, is one of the programs' teachers.
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Clinical Instructor Workshop

The first-ever clinical instructor workshop series will expand and develop the pool of nurses (RNs, NPs, and others) able to serve as clinical instructors for pre-licensure nursing programs, including students enrolled in UVA School of Nursing's BSN, ABSN, and CNL programs. Nurses who have earned at least a BSN are eligible to serve as clinical instructors for students in associate degree in nursing programs, and nurses with graduate degrees may serve as clinical instructors for pre-licensure students in any program.

During the three-day workshop, participants learn together through discussion and role-playing about how to nurture and instruct new nursing students in a way that is positive, affirming, supportive, as well as instructive / corrective. After the workshop, participants are well-poised to become clinical faculty members both for Piedmont Virginia Community College students and UVA School of Nursing students on their clinical rotations at UVA Health.

The next clinical instructor workshop will take place August 14, 15, and 16, 2023. Curious about being a part? Please send an email of interest to professor Kathryn Reid.

Nurse Educator Academy (NEA)

The new Nurse Educator Academy prepares advanced practice nurses who have already earned an MSN, DNP, or PhD in nursing, and who have advanced knowledge and competencies specific to nurse educator roles, who are interested in a pathway to becoming certified nurse educators and nurturing the next generation of nurses and nursing students, especially those learning in pre-licensure programs. The NEA pilot program will include a roster of part-time, executive format courses in education and mentored teaching experience.

Upon completion of the NEA, participants will meet eligibility requirements and be prepared to take the certified nurse educator examination for an additional credential.

Apply to be part of the NEA pilot program, which will begin in fall 2023, by emailing professor Kathryn Reid.

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