What Role Does a Clinical Nurse Educator Play in the Hospital?
Career News April 18, 2013A clinical nurse educator is a step up from a traditional nursing job, and favors educated graduates with experience. This position requires working with patients as well as planning and implementing new programs created by superiors. This job position is in high-demand in 2013, since clinical nursing practices are constantly changing and improving in quality.
This position requires a number of different duties. These educators are expected to help update nursing policies, train new staff members, track the continuing education of nurses, and monitor certifications. You will also be expected to check costs and outcomes of new programs, making this a job with hefty responsibilities.
Daily Work Duties
Daily duties might include documenting educational progress, evaluating training programs, preparing some orientation for new nurses, developing training courses including major curricula, grant proposal writing, writing reports, researching subjects, participating in various associations, developing new procedures, and ensuring quality control.
In order to land a prominent position, you must be a good communicator, understand clinical practice, be able to assess staff, develop programs and evaluate the efficiency, and integrate well performing practices into new educational courses. Much of what you will be doing, will be in accordance with the American Nurses’ Association.
How Can You Find a Job in This Field?
Not all nurses can land a job as a Clinical Nurse Educator, just because they are qualified. Nurses who do acquire these positions typically separate themselves from the others by demonstrating leadership qualities, earning respect in the field, showing exceptional talent and proving his/her educational abilities.
In addition, these educators must be able to work with supervisors and trainers, as well as other specialist leaders. Clinical Nurse Leaders and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses will also work with CNEs. Your new role in this field is not working directly with patients, but with students. You are training them to be better quality nurses.
Not only can you find a job within a hospital, but you can also be employed by a pharmaceutical company, or other health care organizations. Better yet, this leadership job can also extend outside the health care field, and you can find better paying jobs in a number of career paths.
There are many positives to report with this title, including greater flexibility than an on-demand registered nurse, as well as having control over your schedule, and what duties you perform.
What Do You Need to Work as a Clinical Nurse Educator?
Most likely, you will need a master’s degree. Experience is valued, and some applicants can make it with a bachelor’s degree, but the safer option is higher education. Career planning is a must. Work your way towards this position by setting professional goals that you can achieve and demonstrate your leadership potential. This is a job that will not be easy, and will require your all. However, if you desire to supervise others, and more importantly, motivate others, you will do exceptionally well in this field.
