NLN Nurse Educator Competencies

The National League for Nursing (NLN) has developed core competencies for nurse educators.
These competencies provide a comprehensive framework for preparing new nurse educators,
implementing the nurse educator role, evaluating nurse educator practice, and advancing faculty
scholarship and lifelong professional development (Kalb, 2008). The NLN created a standard for
which nurse educators are instructed on and practice as faculty.
Competency One- Facilitate Learning
The educator should be able to implement a variety of teaching strategies appropriate to learner
needs grounded in evidence-based practice (NLN, 2005). The educator should also recognize
multicultural, gender, and experiential influences (NLN, 2005). Throughout my nurse educator
coursework I completed this competency. I have learned about a variety of teaching strategies
including: case studies; group assignments; peer sharing; online videos; Thinglink teaching clips;
game development; concept mapping; and portfolio development. These strategies will enhance
and engage student learning. Instructors should create environments and experiences where
students discover and construct knowledge for themselves (Billings & Halstead, 2012). It is no
longer acceptable to be the sage-on-the-stage. Instructors should instead focus on creating
significant learning experiences. In creating significant learning experiences instructors engage
students to cement the learning into their permanent memory to draw on later in practice (Fink,
2013). I have exhibited multicultural, gender, and experiential influences on teaching and
learning throughout this program with discussions on culturally attuned nursing education. Our
discussion focused on the nurse educators knowledge and development of cultural competence.
The goal of culturally attuned nursing education is to ultimately provide education that any
nursing student from any background can grasp, and promote their practice as culturally
competent providers. Culturally attuned nursing education therefore requires the use of multiple
strategies in both curriculum development and delivery to ensure that course content addresses
student needs on their own level. In my capstone project I developed, implemented, and
evaluated an online nursing theory course. Students learned about different nursing theory and
ultimately developed their own nursing theory.
Competency Two- Facilitate Learner Development & Socialization
The NLNs second competency focuses on educators helping students develop as nurses and to
integrate the values and behaviors expected as nurses (NLN, 2005). Nursing educators should
identify the unique learning styles of diverse students, especially those disadvantaged. Nursing
instructors should also focus on self-reflection and goal setting, and model professional behavior
for lifelong learning (NLN, 2005). I have identified the unique learning styles of diverse students
through discussions, personal reflection, and my teaching-education philosophy. Activities that
encourage students to use critical thinking, self-reflection, and self-evaluation help to exhibit the
scholarship of application in teaching (Billings & Halstead, 2012). I have completed several peer
and self-evaluations throughout my nursing education at the University of Saint Mary. I have
modeled professional behavior for lifelong learning by continuing my nursing education to a
higher level. My perseverance in learning exhibits my personal drive to continue to be a nursing

advocate and role-model to students. In my capstone project I was able to discuss nursing
theories with students and help them to understand the relevance to practice.
Competency Three- Use of Assessment & Evaluation Strategies
A variety of assessment and evaluation strategies should be used by the educator to effectively
facilitate learning for students. Nurse educators will use a variety of strategies to assess and
evaluate student learning in the classroom, lab and clinical settings, as well as in all domains of
learning (NLN, 2005). I achieved this competency through my capstone project. I developed the
rubrics for grading discussions and assignments. I then did all the student grading for the entire
course.
Competency Four- Participate in Curriculum Design & Evaluation of Program Outcomes
The nurse educator is responsible for designing the curriculum and evaluating the program
outcomes. Courses developed by nurse educators should reflect contemporary healthcare trends
and prepare students to function effectively in all healthcare environments (NLN, 2005). I
completed this competency with my capstone project. I developed, implemented, and evaluated
an online nursing theory course. The course had to fit within the colleges mission, philosophy,
and the nursing philosophy.
Competency Five- Function as a Change Agent & Leader
Nurse educators are at the forefront of the future of nursing. Nurse educators must model correct
behavior in all settings to help students learn properly. Nurse educators should display leadership
skills and promote evidence-based practice to promote future change. I completed this
competency by writing a letter of concern to my local senator regarding healthcare access to all
veterans. In my capstone project I researched how to change a face-to-face nursing theory course
into an exclusively online format. This course was accepted for credit for senior level BSN
students at a local private college.
Competency Six- Pursue Continuous Quality Improvement in the Nurse Educator Role
Nurse educators must pursue lifelong learning. Ongoing professional development is mandatory.
Nurse educators receive feedback from students, colleagues, and administration. This feedback
should be used to continually improve teaching methods and style. Nurse educators recognize
that their role is multidimensional and that an ongoing commitment to develop and maintain
competence in the role is essential (NLN, 2005). I received personal, verbal evaluation from my
preceptor in my capstone project. This information will help me in my future teaching methods.
The students in the online nursing theory course had the opportunity to complete an evaluation of
the course and me at the completion of the course. Unfortunately, only five of the nine students
completed the personal email version to my preceptor. She forwarded the results to me with the
identifies removed. I plan to use the comments to improve my future teaching practices.
Competency Seven- Engage in Scholarship
Competency seven mandates that nurse educators acknowledge that teaching is a scholarly
activity and should be an integral part of the faculty role (NLN, 2005). Nursing instructors

should use evidence-based teaching and evaluation practices and disseminate knowledge to a
variety of students (NLN, 2005). Learning about Gagnes nine events of instruction helped me to
identify key elements for teaching diverse students. This model allows instructors to incorporate
innovative technologies into teaching and learning moments. It also allows for the special
abilities of learners to develop and blossom. Instructors should be able to recognize in students
learning what their strengths are and help them learn to their inherent potential. I have also used
research formatting to write papers about evidence-based teaching and learning throughout my
nurse educator coursework. I envision using this knowledge in the future to teach nursing
students to their successful potential. Nurse educators must maintain knowledge within the
profession. I completed this competency by taking all of the required courses for the MSN
program. Evidence-based practice initiatives were the focus of many discussions and
assignments. I also maintain my nursing license through taking continuing education. In the
clinical setting I am required to stay current on several certifications. In the future I would like to
achieve the nurse educator certification.
Competency Eight- Function within the Educational Environment
Nurse educators must be advocates within the environment of teaching. According to the NLN
(2005), nurse educators are knowledgeable about the educational environment within which they
practice and recognize how political, institutional, social, and economic forces impact their role.
I completed this competency through my capstone project. I had to use the colleges mission
statement, philosophy, and nursing philosophy as a framework to develop my online nursing
theory course. The framework was not permitted to be changed. My course had to fit within the
constraints provided by the college.

References
Billings, D.M., & Halstead, J.A. (2012). Teaching in nursing: A guide for faculty (4th ed.). St.
Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders.
Fink, L.D. (2013). Creating significant learning experiences: An integrated approach to
designing college courses. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Kalb, K. A. (2008). Core competencies of nurse educators: Inspiring excellence in nurse educator
practice. Nursing Education Perspectives, 29(4), 217-219.
National League for Nursing (NLN). (2005). The scope of practice for academic nurse
educators. New York, NY: National League for Nursing.