[Effa]

Hi,

I recently started my new role as Clinical Educator. I am only two weeks into the role and have realized that I have my work cut out for me. There are so many troubling practice issues, various expectations of me from the Manager, staff and my boss.On top of it all my time is monopolized with meetings, and mandatory involvement in rolling out corporate initiatives.

I'm sure this sounds familiar to most of you. Does anyone have any tips on how to get started? What were your first steps in the role of Staff Developer? How did you come up with a plan for your unit? How do you stay visible and available?

Any words of advice out there?

[llg]

I have been in nursing staff development roles for many years. Here is my friendly advice to a beginner:

1. Get a good orientation. Your organization may or may not provide it ... but you can always provide one for yourself if they don't. Meet people, identify local resources, become very acquainted with the library, etc. Find out how other people within your institution have been successful -- and how they have not been successful.

2. Find some mentors -- preferably people familiar with your work environement.

3. Read a few books, journals, etc. on the topic of staff development. Attend an ocassional conference on staff education -- not just the clinical topics. The National Nursing Staff Development Organization is one place to start. They have a website. Browse the bookstores, websites, etc.

4. Don't expect to "fix" everything or to change people's practice easily or quickly. Most change happens slowly, in increments. Many nurses new to a leadership role (be it management or education or CNS) take those jobs because they have a passion for nursing and they want to make everything wonderful. Be sure to start with reasonable (modest) expectations. Start small and work up to the big stuff.

Well ... that's a start.

Good luck,
llg

[Effa]

Your advice is appreciated. So far I have been working on #1-3. Point number 4 is one that I have to remind myself about daily.

[Mike RGN]

Find out what you

Must do
Should do
Would like to do

Work out what you can do
Make a list

By that time the end of the shift is here

Go out and enjoy yourself

Seriously follow llg advice and you will not go far wrong but think and plan before you do anything.