Susurro

Thanks everyone for your replies - they are helpful. I am sorry to hear about the lack of preparation of clinical instructors. Students deserve more. I hope others will reply - every bit of information helps -

I work in staff development as a critical care educator. I have a BSN and have nearly completed my MSN. I am responsible for critical care and stepdown unit education and competencies. I teach classes: ABG, A-line, Ventilator, EKG, BCLS... I write competency information for learners and the associated tests. I survey units regarding education needs (both leadership and staff) and make education plans for the year. I make a lot of PowerPoint presentations of educational material I assist with equipment roll outs: teach how to use new equipment, set up teaching (times, rooms...), evaluate teaching, track teaching equipment I teach system wide issues: critical event prevention, JCAHO, Health dept... I advertise teaching: posters, flyers, emails, videos, what ever works to get the staff's attention I participate in nursing (nurses, nursing interns & externs) orientation: give lectures, sign up folks for classes, test new experienced hires I assist with magnet certification I go to meetings: Keystone, Critical care meetings, unit council meetings, committee meetings (infection control...), policy & proceedure meetings, staff meetings (when I have something to educate staff on)... I track orientees progress and meet with them and their unit managers and preceptors. I work mostly days but am often in on evenings and sometimes at night. I work weekdays but come in on weekends for system wide education and to talk with orientees. My pay rate is the same as when I was a staff nurse. I work in a 500 bed hospital with satelite campuses and offices. I really like my job. It is demanding but very creative and interesting. My schedule is flexible - which is great. I work closely with department managers, other educators, CNS's, and sometimes physicians. I hope this information helps

I am curious about the preparation of clinical instructors. As a nearly minted MSN in education (graduation this summer) I am wondering what to expect - Have novice clinical instructors received orientation to how to teach, the clinical facility, material to be covered in clinical (not tasks but issues like how to give and get report...)? Do novice instructors have a formal/informal mentor? If orientation was provided please explain what it consisted of and how long it was. Please also indicate if you teach in 2, 3, or 4 year program, what state you are in, and your educational preparation for the clinical instructor role. If you have insight into the necessity of orientation or what orientation to the clinical instructor role should consist of I would appreciate your thoughts. Thank You for sharing