Open Access Mini Review

Creating a Sustainable Clinical Adjunct Faculty Mentorship Program

Jennifer Marie Litchfield*1, Donna White2 and Maureen Allen3

1Nurse Administrator- Pre-Licensure and Post-Licensure Nursing Programs, Becker College, USA

2Clinical Liaison, Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs, Becker College, USA

3Director Post-Licensure Nursing Programs, Becker College, USA

Corresponding Author

Received Date:July 08, 2020;  Published Date: July 23, 2020

Abstract

Background: A mentoring program supports people to manage their own learning needs so that they may maximize their potential in the clinical setting. The mentorship program paired newly hired clinical faculty, waivered faculty, and/or clinical faculty who request it, with senior colleagues in the nursing program. The mentor/mentee pair met throughout the academic year to work toward goals that they develop together and are required in the job description for clinical adjunct instructors. Monthly meetings were required. A final summary meeting occurred face to face. The mentor completed a progress note during each meeting with a final summary note sheet completed at the end of the mentoring period. Offering stipends to full-time faculty assists with faculty engagement. Mentoring is a powerful tool that helps new clinical faculty achieve personal and professional goals.

Questions: What supports/resources are needed for new adjunct clinical faculty? Will full-time faculty participate in a mentorship program? What are the responsibilities of the mentor/mentee? How are mentees prepared for the role? How are mentors prepared for the role? How do mentors and faculty assess the progress and satisfaction of new faculty members?

Issues: The National League for Nursing (NLN) Board of Governors published a position statement, Mentoring of Nurse Faculty, in 2006. The statement encourages the thoughtful use of mentoring as a resource to foster the career development of faculty, develop the enrollment and retention of nurse educators, and create a positive work environment [1].

Purpose: The purpose is to explore the needs for newly hired adjunct clinical faculty. The nursing program must meet regulatory requirements of the Board of Registration in Nursing regarding newly hired and waivered nursing faculty.

Themes: Engagement, nursing faculty shortage, and workload.

Citation
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