Transitioning from Academia to Clinical Nurse Educator in a Non-Traditional Department

[Profgengar, MSN, DNP]

Transitioning from Academia to Clinical Nurse Educator in a Non-Traditional Department – Advice Welcome!

Hello everyone,

I'm reaching out to seek advice and insights from fellow nurse educators. I will soon be transitioning into a Clinical Nurse Educator role in a department that typically hasn't had nurse educators in the past. The hospital recently created educator roles in non-traditional areas such as Information Technology, Case Management, Ambulatory Nursing, and Home Health—and I was fortunate to be selected for one of these positions.

My background is rooted in academia; I've spent many years teaching nursing students through classroom instruction, simulations, and clinicals. I'm currently employed at the same hospital where these new educator opportunities have opened up, so I'm familiar with the system but new to the role of teaching colleagues rather than students.

I'd love to hear from those who have made a similar transition or have experience as the first educator in a department:

What should I expect in this new role?

How do you approach educating experienced nurses who may not be used to having a formal educator?

Any tips for establishing credibility and building collaborative relationships?

What helped you adjust from the academic mindset to staff development?

What resources, tools, or strategies helped you succeed?

Looking forward to your insights—thank you in advance!