Running head: NLN COMPETENCIES PORTFOLIO 1

NLN Competencies Portfolio

Myra Caston

University of St. Mary

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NLN Competencies Portfolio

Myra Caston, BSN, RN.

Competency 1: Ease Learning

Nurse educators handle creating an environment in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical
settings that eases student learning and the achievement of desired cognitive, affective, and
psychomotor outcomes (Nurse Educator Core Competency).
A positive environment must be set up to ease learning. The foundations must not be
stagnant and the branch of philosophy for the school and the educator must be taken in to
consideration. As a new educator, my philosophy will be one that believes in reaching out to
the students in ways like introducing new technology, social media, and websites that will
increase their self-esteem, critical thinking skills, knowledge bases, professionalism, and
passion for the profession. In being an educator one must enjoy "teaching." Being a role -
model and mentoring will be the upmost criteria for my teaching experience.
Competency II: Facilitate Learner Development and Socialization Nurse educators
recognize their responsibility for helping students develop as nurses and integrate the values
and behaviors expected of those who fulfill that role (Nurse Educator Core Competency).
I have been a preceptor throughout my career. My number one priority is patient safety. I
encourage them to use their critical thinking skills, they ask me a question and I asked them
"what would you do?" I have them attend procedures on the unit and off the unit in other
departments that they may not have been exposed to on their clinical rotations. As an
educator, I will continue to seek out new opportunities for the students. This could occur in
the lab or in the clinical environment.
Competency III: Use Assessment and Evaluation Strategies
Assessments offer information on the quality of the teaching, courses, practice experiences,
curriculum, and other aspects of the educational program (Oeremann, Marilyn H., 2015, p.
191). Evaluations or outcomes are the cognitive processes and practice behaviors students
should prove at program completion. As an educator, I will give honest feedback related to
strengthens and weaknesses, while remaining professional with the student. I will encourage
students to engage in self-reflections. I will explain to them that self-reflections aid in
further learning and development of needs that may occur later in the program.

Competency IV: Take part in Curriculum Design and Evaluation of Program outcomes
Educators have the responsibility of formulating the curriculum that not only meets
contemporary standards of practice, but also prepares students for future nursing roles.
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Curriculum is not static, but constantly needs revision to meet changing, licensure
examination expectations, societal changes, and changes in the health care delivery system
(Oeremann, Marilyn H., 2015 p.5). I read different articles that educate me on new items
that are related to nursing. I take part in helping with the many in-services that are evidence-
based to aid in better outcomes for our patients. I am involved in various committees that
discuss potential issues that would help the veterans. I will continue to be involved in life-
learning experiences.
Competency V: Function as a Change Agent and Leader
Leaders empower others and lead others willingly; leaders challenge the current or
prevailing wisdom, helping to create new meaning for members or organizations. Leaders
must use ability and charisma to influence others. In today's nursing, there must be effective
leaders to achieve great changes. Educators are leaders. I plan to be aware of the various
issues that come out related to nursing. Examples like nursing shortage, cutbacks,
equipment issues and patient safety issues. As an educator, I vow to show a professionalism
that will carry over into the attitudes and behaviors of the students.
Competency VI: Pursue Continuous Quality Improvements in the Nurse Educator Role
I will take part in professional development opportunities that will make me a more
proficient educator. I have carried out this competency since I am now continuing my
educational experience of becoming an educator. Nursing changes daily, and as an educator
I need to be aware of those changes. I will support other faculty members and mentor as
needed. The challenges that I meet in this new role as an educator will be handled in a
professional way. I will be open to feedback from students and peers in regards to aiding in
helping me to improve role effectiveness (Price, Godshall, Wilson, 2013, p. 244).
Competency VII: Engage in Scholarship
Teaching is the scholarly part of education. Evidence -based nursing is the key to achieving
positive outcomes for the patient. As an educator, you are teaching skills that are pertinent
to having a positive patient outcome. To achieve this goal, I will pursue various methods to
educating the students. I will use the visions that I have for the material in a professional
way that has an outcome that is beneficial for the various types of learners in the classroom.
Competency VIIII: Function within the Educational Environment
The bigger picture for becoming an educator includes learning skills related to the
classroom and clinical teaching, along with learning to function within an academic
setting. Evidence-based practice must be at the forefront for education. My goal will be to
have such a profound influence on students, that I be able to create a caring, professional,
educated group of nurses. As I prepare them, I will also continue to educate myself on new
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techniques, equipment, diseases, and diagnosis. One cannot teach what they have not
learned themselves.
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References
Nurse Educator Core Competency. (n.d). Retrieved from
http://www.nln.org/professional- development-programs/competencies-for-nursing-
education/nurse-educator-core-competency.
Oermann, Marilyn H. (2015). Teaching in Nursing and Role of the Educator. Springer
Publishing Company, LLC. New York, NY.
Wittmann-Price, R. A., Godshall, M., Wilson, L. (2013). Certified Nurse Educator (CNE)
Review Manual. Springer Publishing Company. New York, NY.