Addressing Shortage of Nursing Instructors
Overview of the NC AHEC Clinical Instructor Partnership (CIP) Program
Nursing academic-practice partnerships are an effective strategy to expand school enrollment capacity, provide practice retention opportunities, and create recruitment pipelines. Building on successful partnerships between regional AHECs, health systems, and nursing schools to address challenges in the availability of nursing faculty, NC AHEC launched the CIP program in 2022.
The CIP program aims to increase nursing faculty through partnerships between academic nursing programs and practice organizations. This innovative clinical education model prepares qualified RNs to serve as clinical nursing instructors without leaving their clinical role in their practice organization. NC AHEC, NC academic nursing programs, and practice organizations partnered to launch the CIP program.
How it works
The NC AHEC CIP Program prepares nurses in patient care settings to serve as clinical instructors in an academic nursing program without leaving their clinical role in their practice organization – thus serving a dual role and meeting urgent needs of both the school and employer.
The program is designed for RNs with a BSN or higher who wish to work as clinical instructors in LPN, ADN, or BSN programs while continuing in their current clinical practice role. Partnering organizations collaborate to determine scheduling and cost-sharing for the RN serving in the Clinical Instructor Practice (CIP) role. For example:
- RN works two clinical days at practice
- RN teaches clinical to nursing students one day of work week at the practice site
- Practice and Nursing School share the costs of employing the RN working as a clinical instructor
NC AHEC CIP Program Quick Facts
- Recruit, Train, Retain: CIP programs offer a comprehensive approach by engaging students within the practice organization, preparing practicing nurses to fill nursing faculty roles, and providing opportunities for professional growth without requiring nurses to leave their clinical positions.
- Academic-Practice Partnerships: NC AHEC supports the development of academic-practice partnerships to establish and strengthen CIP roles.
- Free Training for CIPs: NC AHEC offers a free, Board of Nursing-approved training course for CIPs, fulfilling the 45-hour teaching and learning requirement for new faculty. The course, offered twice per year, includes online modules, live webinars, and a shadowing experience in a peer cohort to ensure participants gain the essential knowledge and skills to effectively serve as clinical instructors.
- Educational Mobility: The CIP course is part of an educational mobility program and offers academic credit at several UNC System nursing schools. This pathway paves the way for nurses to pursue an MSN in Nursing Education, further advancing their careers and expertise in the field. Learn more about those education partnerships here.
Results
AHEC has facilitated over 20 successful academic-practice partnerships, including collaborations with community colleges, HBCUs, UNC System institutions, and Independent Colleges and Universities since 2022.
Additionally, we are aware of several other partnerships that have developed independently of our involvement, and we are committed to training and supporting those partnerships and CIPs as well.
As of fall 2024, 75 nurses have completed the CIP training course and have taught nearly 200 nursing students in less than an 18-month period.
100% of surveyed schools are satisfied or extremely satisfied with the CIP model, and nearly all schools report the ability to enroll more students as a result. Preliminary research from UNC-Chapel Hill, Western Carolina University, and Queens University suggest the model results in:
High Satisfaction: Both CIPs and course coordinators report great satisfaction and success with the program.
Flexible Work Schedules: Provides nurses with flexible scheduling options, enhancing work-life balance.
Renewed Enthusiasm: Nurses in the CIP role report a renewed passion for nursing through the opportunity to teach and mentor students, reigniting their love for the profession.
Career Advancement Opportunities: Opens pathways for clinical instructors to explore teaching careers that they may not have considered previously.
Enhanced Learning Environment: CIPs are integrated into the unit, contributing valuable knowledge and experience to student education.
Quicker Onboarding: CIPs experience a faster and more comprehensive onboarding process.
Supportive Management: Unit managers and HR personnel appreciate the program and support staff nurses in taking on diverse roles.
Collaboration Opportunities: Opportunities for nurse educators to work part-time with a School of Nursing while maintaining full-time hospital roles create a supportive career pathway.