Benefits and Challenges of Teaching Nursing Online: Exploring Perspectives of Different Stakeholders

Abstract

This study found gaps in perspectives between participant groups that indicated a need for institutions to address communication issues, training program objectives, and institutional policies and procedures regarding online course design and delivery to promote faculty success and satisfaction. [J Nurs Educ. 2016;55(8):433-440.].

Training model for online nurse educators

“…Instructors that teach in the online venue need teaching and training to feel comfortable with the technology and online pedagogy strategies that support best practice in online education. [9,10] To support this premise, a structured train-ing process was created to support novice online educators. The study looked at faculty and education track Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) student's experiences as online educators when provided with structured support.…”

“…Professional development at the start of academic careers that include mentoring and structured training may enhance success. [6,9] Literature attests to the need for intentional mentoring to transition nurses from bedside to educator as a way to improve nurse educator retention and to support successful transition to the academic environment. [6,8,9] Programs that provide comprehensive support including continuing education, certification, and educational coursework specific to curriculum, teaching and learning, and educational theories can improve instructional processes for the educator.…”

“…[6,9] Literature attests to the need for intentional mentoring to transition nurses from bedside to educator as a way to improve nurse educator retention and to support successful transition to the academic environment. [6,8,9] Programs that provide comprehensive support including continuing education, certification, and educational coursework specific to curriculum, teaching and learning, and educational theories can improve instructional processes for the educator. [4,14] Structured orientation that includes essential education skills as well as mentoring should be part of an orientation program for new educators.…”

“…[8] Training programs should be goal oriented and include standards that provide equal support for faculty and instructors regardless of a tenure role. [5,9,14] Effective training models for nurse educators, specifically for online instruction, are sparse. [9,14] Literature confirms a "substantial learning curve" required for those that are new as online educators (p. 128).…”

“…[5,9,14] Effective training models for nurse educators, specifically for online instruction, are sparse. [9,14] Literature confirms a "substantial learning curve" required for those that are new as online educators (p. 128). [14] While faculty may be clinical experts, they come to schools of nursing with limited or no teaching experience, especially in online education.…”