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busynurse (offline) Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Posts: 8	Sun Feb 05, 2006 2:02 pm I have aspirations of one day working as a nurse educator. I am a senior nurse now, and ready for the next step. I have looked into further post graduate studies but I can't seem to find in Melbourne 'formal" clinical education/ nursing education post grad. course. Any educators out there? what should my first step be?

nursemorgan (offline) Joined: Jul 2005 Location: adelaide Posts: 28	Feb 05, 2006, 02:54 pm hey busy nurse as a student nurse I can only explain what our lecturers have but here goes............... whilst some hold a grad. dip. in clinical teaching a lot appear to be heading down the adult education degree track. The system has a. b, c and d for levels similar to a nursing rank system : a- bachelor degree, b - honours, c - masters and d - phd. having said this they are desperate for lecturers these days so u shouldn't have too much trouble though!! cheers Morgan ps; a little word of advice from the student's don't lose ur "real world" nursing experience even if this means a few casual shifts here and there as it shows which lecturers have and haven't done any REAL nursing in the last decade!!!!:)

priscillasmum (offline) Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Melbourne Posts: 36	Feb 08, 2006, 11:02 pm Hi, You don't mention whether you want to be a clinical educator or lecturer. Courses for a clinical educator range from tafe to university level. The main one at university level in melbourne that comes to mind is LaTrobe, Grad Cert or Grad Dip in Clinical Education (just depends on how much money you want to spend/or time to commit to a course). But like nurse morgan mentioned, there is also the opportunity for prospective clinical educators is to do a certificate at tafe. A lot cheaper. I have friends who have done both, some have stopped at tafe qualifications and work with Div 2 trainees, others have done a grad cert/grad dip and work with Div 1 undergraduates, quite a few have phd's in nursing and then there is one of my friends who is a total educator with a Phd's in Nursing and Education. So once you have completed a course, and have some experience you may have more of an idea where you want to set your goal. I am a manager, not an educator, but I would suggest getting in contact with your undergraduate university if you need more advise. Good luck, Joanne

busynurse (offline) Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Posts: 8	Feb 09, 2006, 11:47 am Hi nursemorgan- thanks for your reply. I will always make a point of having a "hands on" job- I know exactly what you are refering to. priscillasmum, I have made numerous enquiries to La Torbe uni re- their grad dip in clinical ed. and they are not taking on new students this year and are unsure about next year- and other than this course I have not found much else in Melb. Deakin uni have a clinical facilitation module - I might have a go at this in the meantime. I would much rather work as a clinical educator than a lecturer. Do you know off hand what tafe qualifications your friends have completed? I have also thought about offering myself for some undergrad. clincal placements- maybe first year students to begin with- but you are right- i will contact some of the universities. Thank you for your replies.

priscillasmum (offline) Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Melbourne Posts: 36	Feb 26, 2006, 09:26 am Hi, most educators seem to be doing the TAFE based certificate IV Workplace assessment and training. Hope this helps, Joanne

busynurse (offline) Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Posts: 8	Mar 02, 2006, 08:42 pm Thanks for your reply priscillasmum. I have enrolled to commence the cert. iv in May

JMac (offline) Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Posts: 2	Nov 20, 2006, 10:15 am Hi busynurse I am a CNE and I have a BTeach and am studying towards a Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing Science (Clinical Teaching) by distance ed. through JCU Townsville. The reason I chose this course is because after hours of research into a qualification this course offered the most exciting curriculum with units that excited me, and their reference list was very contemporary, unlike my local university. So far I have not been disappointed. Its a great course. Good luck JMac

pgmp790 (offline) Joined: Nov 2007 Location: Community Health Posts: 5	Nov 08, 2007, 04:10 pm Hey busynurse, (good name I'm surprised it wasn't taken... ) you've had some good reponses- particularly the cert iv- there are some hospitals that provide certain components of cert iv for their staff but competition for places is pretty hot - a lot of my academic collegues are pretty incensed they have been told to get their cert iv when they already have a masters or phd- I think it is a worthwhile course though. I started working as a CNE nearly 2 years and it has flown by and I can truly say you have chosen a brilliant area of nursing! I don't know if you want to work in that area or academia, or what state you are from. I'm from NSW and the structure varies between states. If you work in NSW or WA Notre Dame uni has a good facilitator incentive program.... you do 2 consecutive sessions as a facilitator and they support you in postgraduate course in Uni teaching.... as of the contributors mention it is important to keep grounded- keep your hand in the clinical area. I would advise if you want to work in either area- start involving yourself in professional associations like you already are an educator. if you are a senior nurse and very keen then only difference between you and me or any other educator is the title... When I first started as a CNE... i looked for professional association (I joined the Australian Nurse Teachers' Society- their website is www.ants.org.au) as far as I am aware it's the only association of it's kind in Australia- I joined the council and became their editor and have access to many good mentors (so if you want to conribute a letter to the editor or an article about your journey to educator- I'll be happy to publish it), I also receive clinical supervision (highly recommended). Joining CoP like this is also a good move... I've only discovered it (part of my assignment for my masters (adult edu @ UOW) the subject is design and use of new technologies... I'm looking at changing to a research masters- but we shall see. The reason I chose a non-nursing masters is that UOW have an excellent rep in education and the subjects including the focus on technology is right up my alley...and I am very keen to use these skills in the workplace and pick the brains of anyone who will let me I also have the most supportive boss (you might want to interview your prospective boss to make sure you will get the right support).... PS the other ingredient is persistence... and never take no for an answer (unless you are flogging a dead hourse that is). Oh nearly forgot... make sure you get yourself to any professional conferences related to nurse teaching/education- you will make wonderful networks and likeminded professionals. good luck with your career busynurse and let us know how you go.

busynurse (offline) Joined: Aug 2005 Location: Posts: 8	Nov 27, 2007, 07:56 pm Well busynurse has been busy ( he he)- thanks for your helpful reply pgmp790. I completed my cert IV in training and assessment September 2006. I thoroughly enjoyed the course. I haven't formally worked as an educator as yet- but i will get there I am sure. I commenced a senior nursing position last October and have been concentrating on that for now as well as keeping busy with family life. pgmp790 you are so correct in saying that the title is the only difference between us. I have often said that as nurses we educate everyday- whether we are teaching clients, our peers, the community, or junior staff. That is the beauty I love about my chosen career- even if some days are tough. My sister has just completed her nursing degree and is about to embark onto a graduate year- I have had lengthy disscusions about choices, mentorship, exposure to skill base and loved every minute of it. It makes me realise how much knowledge and experience I have gained over the last 15 years since first registering as a div1- and how much I could give back to junior staff. My background is acute care in the community ( eg hith) and although I have worked both independently and as part of a team for over 10 years, my acute skills are up to scratch as part of my current role involves direct client contact by means of asessmment and clinical review. I ran into an old colleague a few months ago who is now an educator- and has encoouraged me to join her team on a casual basis as a clinical support nurse- I hope she remembers!

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