NLN Core Competency II: Facilitate Learner Development and Socialization
Facilitation of learner development and socialization is an important competency of the nurse educator. The effective nurse educator understands that there are multiple learning styles, and there is no single way to facilitate learning and development among learners (Halstead, 2007). Nurse educators tend to see the value in socialization among students and professional socialization (Halstead, 2007); this has a domino effect to the learner, because not only is the educator creating professional relationships, they are educating themselves as well as others they interact (the learner).
In the research conducted by Halstead (2007), there are five themes that are paramount for this competency. The themes are: assessing learning styles, teaching diverse learners, developing critical thinking skills, socializing learners to the nursing role, and teaching professional values. It is important to perform an assessment and ensure that the delivery of curriculum will meet the learning styles of the learners. To teach diverse learners, the effective nurse educator remains culturally sensitive as well as sensitive to myriad of diversity that will come into the classroom. It is imperative the nurse educator take the initiative to ensure the classroom as well as all learners in the class feel safe and comfortable in the learning environment. Fostering a culture of inquiry will assist the learners to develop critical thinking skills both in the classroom as well as in the clinical setting. As explained by Halstead (2007) “teaching students to question existing theories and ideas assists in the deconstruction and reconstruction of the kind of knowledge that leads to new discoveries,” (p. 63). To address the theme of socializing among learners, Beck (1993) explains the emphasis should not be on perfection, but on learning. It is important to cultivate a culture of learning and safety in the classroom also for the educator to foster and value respect and caring for the learners. Promotion of professional values is met by the effective educator by integrating the philosophies and values of the institution into the curriculum and “include statements that address the need to provide values-based care, facilitate students’ learning professional nursing values, and respect the values of students in the educational process” (Halstead, 2007, p. 69).
I currently meet this standard by working and collaborating effectively with teams. Team work is fostered by the individuals who I worked with day in and day out, and as a hospital unit educator I worked to enforce this skill as well. Nursing is multidisciplinary, and it takes a team to create a positive end result. A team who continually works together toward a common goal is limitless. As I worked as a hospital unit educator I continually focused on positive approaches to guidance and patient care. I worked to be a role-model, both in my practice as well as in clinical. I worked with the staff I educated to show skills, teach skills, and allow them to perform and perfect skills. I did this while maintaining a safe learning environment fostering the desire of inquiry to support the growth and cultivation of critical thinking.
To be an agent for socialization as I work as either a clinical or academic instructor, I will heed the advice in Halstead (2007), to create a positive learning environment. Working with my mentor I will ensure that I am open to diversity within my class, foster and guide critical thinking through simulation, labs, clinical and journaling. I will also ensure that my teaching strategies promote learning to all learning styles. I will focus on utilizing the ‘bridging’ or having a “high level of cultural awareness and adaption of teaching/learning methods to respond to students’ needs,” (Halstead, 2007, p. 59).
References
Beck, C. (1993). Nursing students’ initial clinical experience: A phenomenological study. International Journal of Nursing Studies 30(6), 489-497.
Halstead, J. A. (2007). Nurse educator competencies: Creating an evidence-based practice for nurse educators. New York, NY: National League for Nursing.
Image of medical staff. Retrieved from wix.com
