Original Article

Nurse Educators and the Future of Nursing

Kathleen S. Ashton, MSN, RN

  • The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing
  • March 2012 - Volume 43 · Issue 3: 113-116
  • DOI: 10.3928/00220124-20120116-02
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Abstract

Calls for transformation in nursing education and practice abound. Nurses are part of a trusted profession, but they have been under-represented in conversations about health care compared with other, more vocal professionals. Nurses may not consider that they already have many leadership skills, and nurse educators in staff development roles are positioned to foster growth in other nurses. The relationship between nurse educators and their constituents provides the context for support that can motivate staff nurses to move beyond their concerns and accept challenges that may cause them some discomfort, such as writing for publication or public speaking. The leadership of nurse educators is essential to support colleagues who will shape the future of nursing.

AUTHORS

Ms. Ashton is a doctoral student in nursing, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina.

The author has disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.

The author thanks Dr. Lynne Lewallen, faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, for her feedback and encouragement as this manuscript was being developed.

Address correspondence to Kathleen S. Ashton, MSN, RN, 4408 Talcott Drive, Durham, NC 27705. E-mail: ksashton@uncg.edu

doi: 10.3928/00220124-20120116-02

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