“ Critical Transitions”
Friday, June 20th, 2008
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Transitioning New Licensed Practical Nurses to Practice

Nancy Spector, PhD, RN, Director of Education
National Council State Boards of Nursing

Dr. Spector, will discuss NCSBN’s work related to recommending an evidence-based regulatory model to transition new graduates to practice. Dr. Spector will discuss the available evidence that supports a national, standardized transition to practice model. She will particularly focus on the evidence supporting transition to practice programs for newly licensed practical nurses and the evidence related to transition programs in long-term care.

Transition: The Employers Perspective

G. Constance Butherus, MA, RN
Chair, Council of Practical Nurse Educators

The transition from student nurse to practicing nurse is a critical one. The experience can make or break the newly licensed nurse. Both the basic educational program as well as the employer have roles in this process. As an educator and employer, Mrs. Butherus views the challenge of transition from both sides. She will address the problems as well as present workable solutions for successful results.

From Nurse Clinician to Nursing Educator: The Process of Transition

Mary Eyles, PhD, RN, NAPNES Director of Education

So many times we have heard nursing educators request “how to” strategies specific to the teaching of nursing, both in the classroom and in the clinical area. Why - because so many nursing educators are simply “thrown” into the classroom without any preparation specific to the “science” of teaching. This session will take the mystery out of didactic and clinical instruction for the new nurse educator and will offer new strategies to the experienced educator. Three vital components of teaching will be presented, those of teaching strategies, curriculum development (including writing of objectives), and evaluation (including test development) with a focus on our ever changing health care environment.

The afternoon session will consist of lecture and hands-on-experience in the area of curriculum development, writing of objectives, as well as test development. Participants are encouraged to bring examples of curriculum, lectures, objectives, or tests to work on during the seminar.