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May 5, 2021 | XXV, Issue Number 9
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Some celebrate for a day – May 12 – to mark International Nurses Day and the birthday of Florence Nightingale. Some celebrate for a week as we usually do – tomorrow begins National Nurses Week, May 6 to May 12. But this year, after a year like no other, we are dedicating the entire month of May to the celebration of nurses, nursing, and, of course, nursing education. In addition, along with the World Health Organization, we are thrilled to extend the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife through the end of 2021.
The challenges of the last year, and the tremendous responsibilities borne by nurses, will be in our consciousness for years to come. Now we all know the truth. The shortage of nurses is a real problem that will not be alleviated without attention to the problem of the nurse faculty shortage. Now is the time to encourage our best and brightest students to advance their education and learn the pedagogical skills required to be effective teachers for future nurses. And now is the time to ensure that there is diversity and inclusion within the ranks of our faculty, from beginning nurse educators to deans.
When Florence Nightingale returned to England after serving in the Crimea, she embraced the educator role, establishing the Nightingale Training School at St. Thomas' Hospital (known affectionately as Tommy), followed by the School of Midwifery Nursing at King’s College Hospital. Her methods of educating nurses formed the basis for professional nursing education in the United States and the establishment of the earliest training schools for nurses. And it was 18 superintendents of US training schools who came together in 1893 to form the society that would eventually become the modern National League for Nursing. Our history is amazing.
From our earliest days, our concern was excellence in education. The goal of our founders was “to establish and maintain a universal standard of training,” and in 1903, M. Adelaide Nutting, chair of the Society Education Committee, set a goal to find an educational institution where teachers of nursing could be prepared. Let me refer you once again to the beautiful NLN Commemorative Book published for the 2018 NLN Education Summit to mark the 125th year of our founding.
Today, as nurse educators, we believe it is important to highlight when we have achieved various standards of excellence. For example, the NLN offers Academic Nurse Educator (CNE®) and Academic Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE®cl) certification, as well as our Centers of Excellence Program for schools of nursing and practice partners. I’m pleased to tell you that we’re currently in the process of exploring more credentialing and badge options so you can proudly display your mastery of knowledge and skills in nursing education. I’ll share more details throughout the year. |
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NLN’s Ongoing Support of the Academic Nurse Educator Roles
In recent weeks, I and others at the NLN have been asked about our reaction to the April 6 publication by our fellow organizational colleague, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, of The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education. Although we have heard various reactions and questions, we have and will continue to refer questions about the document itself to AACN directly. The NLN, however, has also been asked specifically if the AACN publication will impact the NLN’s position related to the role of the academic nurse educator, the CNE® and CNE®cl competencies, and the eligibility criteria for the NLN academic nurse educator certification exams. These questions deserved a response from the NLN directly, and simply stated, the document has no effect on the NLN. For example, the NLN will continue to support Masters in Nursing Education Programs and build on the science of nursing education within every aspect of our work. |
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In addition, we are proud of our Core Competencies of Academic Nurse Educators, defined and described in 2005; our Core Competencies of Academic Clinical Nurse Educators, defined and described in 2018; and our newly published The Evolution of Defined Competencies for the Novice Nurse Educator. The competencies and associated task statements are discussed in detail by NLN Chief Legal Officer Dr. Linda Christensen and Dr. Larry Simmons, director of the NLN Certification Program, in The Scope of Practice for Academic Nurse Educators and Academic Clinical Nurse Educators (3rd ed.). They form the basis for our certification program and the CNE® and CNE®cl credentials, marks of excellence achieved by more than 12,000 nurse educators who serve with distinction as leaders and role models in nursing education – and who carry a distinguished and handsome red bag at each in-person NLN Education Summit.
The NLN Core Competencies for Academic Nurse Educators are cited in a December 2020 report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services by the National Advisory Committee on Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP), Preparing Nurse Faculty, and Addressing the Shortage of Nurse Faculty and Clinical Preceptors. Dr. Marsha Adams, former president of the NLN and dean and professor at the University of Alabama at Huntsville, represented the NLN on the Planning Committee in preparing the NACNEP report, which thoroughly lays out many issues brought about by the nursing and nurse faculty shortage.
The report offers extensive recommendations, citing a recent study by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) that found that “the quality of the faculty is at the core of a successful nursing program.” It also cites the work of another former NLN president, Dr. Judith Halstead, NLN Core Competencies for Nurse Educators: A Decade of Influence. As I reported last month, Dr. Halstead recently retired from her role as founding executive director of the NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA). Somehow, in her spare time, she wrote this seminal work on the influence of the Core Competencies on nursing education and on the research gaps that remain. I recommend Judy’s book and the NACNEP report for their thoughtful discussions on where we are now and how we must advance the science of nursing education and support its growth. It is also worth mentioning that the NLN CNEA accredits graduate programs that prepare nurse educators. |
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The Future of Nursing
Another long-awaited report is on the horizon: The Future of Nursing 2020 to 2030: Charting a Path to Health Equity. This report, from the National Academy of Medicine and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, examines lessons learned from the Future of Nursing Campaign for Action to chart a path for our profession and help our nation create a culture of health, reduce health disparities, and improve the health and well-being of the US population. In advance of the release of the new report, delayed because of the pandemic, the National Academy of Medicine will conduct a webinar on May 11 at 3 p.m. Eastern and we can all take part, but we must register in advance. I am eager to read the new report and its recommendations. |
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Now, colleagues, let me shift gears. As you think about National Nurses Month 2021 – this merry month of May – consider honoring a colleague, perhaps your mentor, with a gift to the NLN Foundation for Nursing Education. Your gift translates into support for nursing education research and support for scholarships for future educators. Indeed, the application period for NLN Foundation for Nursing Education Scholarships is open now through May 21 for scholarships of up to $8,000 each to nurses pursuing advanced degrees in master’s or doctoral programs to advance their careers as full-time educators. I can think of no better way to honor a colleague.
To support the Foundation, and get fit too, we challenge you to sign up for Gentle Yoga for Tension Relief, a continuation of the NLN Foundation’s Fit for the Future Campaign. Whether in the virtual classroom preparing nurses for the workforce, at the bedside delivering patient care, or in the boardroom, nurses work around the clock to help improve the health of the nation and the global community. Building healthier communities requires nurses to be healthy too. The Gentle Yoga for Tension Relief is a mostly seated opportunity to practice solutions for the aches and pains that arise from sitting in front of a computer for hours at a time. Our facilitator, Beth A. Wolfe of Arlington, Virginia, will demonstrate and practice simple stretches and poses that will help you release tension in your shoulders, neck, back, hips, hands, and jaw. No yoga experience is required, but bring a yoga strap (or belt/ exercise band/rope) if you have one.
NLN Deadlines Loom
May is a busy time for NLN deadlines. Let me remind you that this Friday, May 7, is your deadline to submit nominations for three prestigious NLN Awards to be presented at our upcoming Summit, which takes place September 23-25 at the Gaylord Hotel at National Harbor near DC: “Leading and Teaching Beyond Resilience.” And May 31 is the deadline for the new NLN Certification Program Pursuit of Excellence, Advancement, and Support of Nurse Educator Certification Award, which will recognize outstanding individuals, programs, or organizations that have made a significant difference or substantial impact to nursing education through the adoption and/or promotion of certification and have helped sustain certifications and excellence in education. Details and guidelines are online.
Finally, and this is very important, it is time to cast your vote in the 2021 NLN elections. Learn more about the candidates and then cast your vote to choose your preferred candidates to serve on the 2021 NLN Board of Governors, Nominations Committee, and Certification Commission. Elected candidates will take office during the 2021 NLN Education Summit. Your vote is crucial to help determine the future direction of the NLN and thereby have a profound influence on the future of nursing.
COVID-19 Pandemic Continues
Finally, let me conclude with a word about COVID-19 and the dreadful, frightening impact it is having on the people of India. The variants of the disease that continue to challenge all of us are having a particularly dangerous impact on India, which earlier had managed to handle the pandemic well. As of May 3, the World Health Organization reported that India had more than 368,000 new cases within the previous 24 hours, with a total of more than 20 million confirmed cases. Oxygen and medical supplies are desperately needed.
The National Association of Indian Nurses of America (NAINA) is making every effort to raise funds to help nurses and affected families. NAINA will utilize all collected funds toward assisting the underprivileged people in India through coordination with governmental and nongovernmental agencies toward rehabilitation efforts. The organization has created a GoFundMe page and the NLN made a contribution of $500. Perhaps you can help as well.
Enjoy Mother’s Day, colleagues – as we are all children of mothers, we can all celebrate on May 11. But remember, despite good news about COVID-19 in the United States, the risks are still present. If you are vaccinated, and do not suffer from seasonal allergies, by all means, enjoy the outdoors without a mask. But please follow CDC guidelines: wear your mask where appropriate, wash your hands, keep the appropriate social distance, and encourage others to get vaccinated.
Stay safe and well, and see you at the Summit! |
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