In order to be a successful and effective clinical instructor these are essential traits you must possess
- Clinical Competency
- Proficient Organization
- Interpersonal/Communication Skills
- Role Modeling
In regards to the trait of Clinical Competency as a clinical instructor I plan to:
- Demonstrate strong clinical expertise in the area in which I will be teaching from my numerous years of experience in various roles as a staff nurse.
- Execute evidenced based practice strategies when it comes to decision making and problem solving.
- Facilitate post clinical discussions with the students on either a 1:1 basis or in a group setting.This encourages not only the students but also the instructor to reflect on clinical problems that arose that day and encourage the development of critical thinking skills (Koharchik & Redding, 2016).
In regards to Proficient Organization as a clinical instructor I plan to:
- Educate the students on the clinical course objectives prior to beginning in the clinical setting so they are aware of what is expected out of them and noting the instructors role in seeing these are being met (Koharchik & Redding, 2016).
- Keeping pulse on how the students are doing throughout the clinical day and the status of their assigned patients.
- Ensure all required patient care is provided by the end of the clinical day by prioritizing scheduled activities, therefore helping to facilitate time management skills in the students.
In regards to the trait of Interpersonal/Communication Skills as a clinical instructor I plan to:
- Remain enthusiastic about nursing and the potential for professional development to create a positive learning environment for my students.
- Maintain a clear and honest dialogue when providing constructive criticism and feedback and honor the students perspective.
- Provide freedom for discussion by being approachable and supportive in the clinical setting in order to encourage respect between the instructor and the students (Girija, 2012).
In regards to the trait of Role Modeling as a clinical instructor I plan to:
- Uphold the clinical instructor position as a leadership role by demonstrating the type of behavior you expect from your students (Girija, 2012). This includes having respectful interactions with patients, peers, and staff, following all policies in order to provide safe and effective patient care, and taking appropriate avenues when problems arise to achieve a positive outcome.
- Continue to seek out new learning opportunities and stay up to date with evidence based practice. Nursing is ever evolving and improving and it is important to model this behavior.
References
Girija, K. M. (2012). Effective Clinical Instructor– A Step Toward Excellence in Clinical Teaching. International Journal of Nursing Education, 4(1), 25-27.
Koharchik, L., & Redding, S. R. (2016, July). Strategies for successful clinical teaching. AJN American Journal of Nursing, 116(7), 62-65.