Experiences of Hospital Clinical Nurse Educator Role Adaptation: A Meta- Synthesis

Abstract

Background: Hospital clinical nurse educators are becoming important in helping experienced nurses improve their professionalism and facilitating transition of new nurses. Because becoming a nurse educator requires a variety of competencies, hospital clinical nurse educators experience stress and lack of control during the transition from general nurse to educator. Purpose: To synthesize experiences of hospital clinical nurse educators in the process of role adaptation. Method: A qualitative meta‐synthesis was conducted according to thematic synthesis methods of Thomas and Harden. Systematic literature review flow chart of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis was used for literature search and selection. Quality appraisal was performed according to Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument. Results:Hospital clinical nurse educator's experience of role adaptation from four studies appeared in a total of seven themes synthesized into the following: 1) getting out of comfort zone to the unknown; 2) unfamiliar relationships in familiar environments; and 3) growing together through teaching and learning. Conclusion: Supports are needed to promote transition of hospital clinical nurse educators to improve the quality of nursing education.