Master's degree and post-master's certificate preparation for the academic nurse educator role : the use of the National League for Nursing Core Competencies of nurse educators as a curriculum guide

Abstract

This study described the education courses in Master of Science in Nursing Education (MSN Ed) degree and post-master’s certificate (PMC) in nursing education programs and determined which of the eight NLN Core Competencies, used to certify nurse educators, were represented. Data regarding the required credit hours, practicum hours, distance accessibility, and preparation for the Certified Nurse EducatorCM (CNE) Examination also were collected. The study used a descriptive design using a web scraping technique. Program information was obtained from the accrediting bodies for graduate nursing programs in 2015. Course description data were obtained from web pages via curriculum plans, course catalogs, graduate handbooks, or other institutional web pages. Data were collected from each program website, collated, uploaded, and analyzed. In both types of programs, evidence was found for the NLN Core Competencies: Facilitate Learning (97%), Participate in Curriculum Design and Evaluation of Program Outcomes (97%), Use Assessment and Evaluation Strategies (95%), Pursue Continuous Quality Improvement in the Nurse Educator Role (88%), Engage in Scholarship (45%), Function as a Change Agent and Leader (30%), Facilitate Learner Development and Socialization (28%), and Function within the Educational Environment (12%). Only 36% and 40% of MSN Ed and PMC in nursing education programs, respectively, were completely distance accessible. Required credit hours varied from 28 to 65 for the entire MSN Ed and from 6 to 47 for the nursing education courses. PMC credit hours varied from 3 to 45. Practicum clock hours, for both programs, ranged from 60–500 while practicum credit hours ranged from 1–18. Revision of MSN Ed and PMC curricula is indicated to improve inclusion of content in all competency areas. Moreover, increasing the number of distance accessible programs may encourage more nurses to consider a master’s degree or post-master’s certificate in nursing education.