Change in expectations: A policy recommendation for future and current nurse educators

Abstract

Currently, there are no standardized requirements for pedagogical preparation for nurse educators at the state and national level. Various stakeholders have identified an issue in the preparation of nurse educators in academia. Current recommendations are that faculty have a master's or doctoral degree in nursing (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2017); however, requirements do not include educational preparation prior to or concurrent with starting a faculty position. This policy paper highlights a recommendation to require one of the following: the Certified Nurse Educator credential or certificate in teaching for educators without prior formal education in pedagogy. Outcomes of such a requirement would include nurse educators have a better understanding of the science of nursing education and preparation related to teaching. A second outcome is students receive an education that uses evidence-based teaching methods.