NURS 639 - Nursing Education Practicum (6 Credits)

Prerequisites: NURS 620
This course will provide each student with a practicum experience in a Nursing education program, as well as in direct patient care experiences. The Nursing Education Practicum experience will provide a framework for examining nurse educator roles and responsibilities that are actualized in academic and practice environments. As well, the practicum will provide opportunities for students to develop in depth knowledge and expertise in graduate level clinical practice content and experiences. Students will participate in direct teaching as well as participating in curriculum and faculty meetings; meeting accreditation standards; evaluating curriculum design; and student advisement. Course work will focus on the expected faculty roles of teaching, research, and scholarship. This course will include a 135 hour total practicum experience in addition to the course work as well as a required thesis/ scholarly project that demonstrates that the student has synthesized skills attained a scholarly activity that positively influences nursing education, patient outcomes, or contributes to nursing research. The purpose of the practicum is to foster the integration of nursing education theory courses and the role of a nurse educator. The student is partnered with a skilled nurse educator; collaboratively develops goals for the experience; and assumes the NLN role competencies for nursing education.