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: Facilitate 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 is an
important component to facilitate learning. The foundations of a learning environment
should not be stagnant. The philosophy for the school should be at the forefront of an
educators mind always. 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 the importance of having a passion for the profession. In being an
educator I will enjoy "teaching." Being a positive 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, when they ask me a question and I
reflect the question back to the student, new employees, or nursing student. I have them
think about the answer and take a guess to the proper answer. I have them attend procedures
on the unit and off the unit in other departments that they may not have experienced on their
clinical rotations. As an educator, I will continue to seek out new opportunities for the
students. These opportunities 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. Professionalism will be involved with all
nursing students, when doing evaluations. 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. Reflection gives the brain an
opportunity to pause amidst the chaos, untangle, and sort through observations and
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experiences, consider multiple interpretations, and finally create a meaning that is valuable
to the individual.

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.
Curriculum is not static, but constantly needs revision to meet changing, licensur e
examination expectations, societal changes, and changes in the health care delivery system
(Oeremann, Marilyn H., 2015 p.5). I educate myself during down times on different articles
that are relevant to nursing. I assist at my facility on in-services that are evidence- based to
assist in providing positive healthcare outcomes for our patients. I plan to become involved
in committees that discuss potential issues that would help make a veterans quality of life
one that they are proud of. Life-long learning will continue throughout my life span.
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 stay educated on the
enormous issues that are related to changes in the healthcare industry. Examples like
nursing shortages, 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 that I am responsible for educating, either in the classroom or clinical site.
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 interesting and
sometimes I will feel that I have entered a place of the unknown, but I believe that with
the education that I have received from the University of St. Mary will help to alleviate this
worry. I will receive the feedback from students and peers, with a mindset that the critics
will only guide me in future endeavors. I will listen with an open mind.
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
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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
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.