Are you a nurse who wishes to advance your knowledge, and have a passion to teach others to become qualified nurses? Have you been wondering how to become a tutor at a school of nursing in Zimbabwe and also internationally?
Do you also ask yourself what are the roles of a nurse educator? How much does a nurse educator make? Should I become a nurse educator?
Well, this is the best place to be. I will share everything with you. To become a nurse educator you should be a holder of at least Bsc in Nursing Education from a recognized university. You can become a nurse educator if you possess the qualifications required and also note that nurse educators in Zimbabwe earn good salaries.
Also Read:
Nurse Training For International Students in UK
Nurse Training in Zimbabwe – How to Become a Qualified Nurse
Nurse Training Schools in Zimbabwe – All the Information You Need
Nurse educators serve as faculty members in nursing schools and teaching hospitals, sharing their knowledge and skills to prepare the next generation of nurses for effective practice.
Who is a Nurse Educator?
A nurse educator is a nurse who teaches and prepares licensed practical nurses and registered nurses for entry into practice positions.
They can also teach in various patient care settings to provide continuing education to licensed nursing staff. In Zimbabwe, nurse educators also called nursing tutors or nursing teachers.
Becoming a nurse tutor is a great achievement which every nurse who does not like bedside nursing desires.
Once you begin to train other people to become licenced nurses you could feel that you have reached another level of achievement academically.
Most nurse educators they keep on advancing with their education to Masters level even up to PHDs.
Yes, there are professors in the faculty of nursing. It takes courage, love for learning and passion to read as well as researching for you to lift yourself from being a general nurse.
In nursing education, there are also ranks and surely once you begin this journey you will always want to be among the top board. You have to believe in yourself, and change your life for the best.
How to Become a Nurse Educator in Zimbabwe
Before you can teach nursing, you must become, at minimum, a registered general nurse (RGN) with a valid practising certificate from Nurses Council of Zimbabwe and at least two years of working experience.
Most nurse educators complete a master’s degree in nursing, although a doctorate is required to teach at most universities. You may also want to get a post master’s certificate or degree in education as well as certification for your area of speciality.
In addition to knowledge and clinical experience, nurse educators must be good teachers. That means you need exceptional communication skills, no fear of public speaking, an easy rapport with people and the ability to clearly explain complex concepts to students.
You can become a nurse educator in Zimbabwe through the following two ways
You enrol for Bsc Nursing Education at University straight from home
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Science Degree program requires the applicant to possess a minimum of 13 points at Advanced level with two passes in science subjects.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Science Degree program is offered by the University of Zimbabwe, Chinhoyi University, Bindura University, National University of Science Technology, Midlands State University and other universities around Zimbabwe.
The first year of the program is pre-clinical focusing on biological, physical and psychosocial sciences.
The second to fourth year focuses on the art and science of nursing, the health-illness continuum, biomedical sciences, medical-surgical nursing, community health nursing, mental health/psychiatry nursing, maternal child health/midwifery, nursing education, nursing administration and nursing research.
As in other nursing programs, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Science degree program is accredited by the Zimbabwe Health Professions Council and certified by the Nurses Council of Zimbabwe. As with other nursing programs, graduates are employed by the public and private health sectors.
You can enrol for Post Basic Bsc Nursing Education at a university.
The Post-Basic Bachelor of Nursing Science Degree is offered to Registered General Nurses.
Minimum requirements are registration as a General Nurse.
Two Advanced level passes in two subjects of which one must be a science.
Five-O’ Level passes with a grade C or better including, Maths, English and Science.
The program has a duration of four years.
The program is the same asBsc Nursing Education.
What is the role of the Nurse Educator in Zimbabwe?
Academic Programmer
They design the academic programs at their institutions in accordance with the state regulations regarding nursing instruction.
In addition to teaching the courses, nurse educators evaluate the effectiveness of the programs and revise them as necessary. Nurse educators teach in formal academic programs as well as in continuing education programs for graduate nurses.
Supervisors
Nurse educators lecture in the classroom and work in clinical settings such as hospitals, clinics and nursing homes. They supervise students in clinical areas as they learn to perform basic nursing tasks such as medication administration, dressing changes or other hands-on skills.
Coach and Mentor
A nurse educator tailors the learning experience to the student. They coach an anxious student through her first catheter insertion or provide a more experienced and confident student with a challenge that will help her learn new skills.
The educator’s goal is to choose learning opportunities that help her students build on their strengths and overcome personal or scholastic limitations. Nurse educators provide regular feedback and advice to their students to help them improve their practice.
Researcher
They may perform research and present the results of their work at nursing conferences. Most participate in professional organizations or have leadership roles in the academic community.
Administrator
Some nurse educators move into administrative work and become deans of nursing programs. Their responsibilities include developing nursing programs in collaboration with instructors, assuring funding for programs, developing budgets, and hiring and supervising staff.
The dean of a nursing program assures the content of the nursing instruction will meet the changing health care environment and collaborates with the health care facilities in her community that provide clinical experiences for the nursing students to assure relevant and meaningful educational experiences.
Other roles include:
- Develop lesson plans
- Teach courses
- Evaluate educational programs
- Oversee students’ clinical practice
- Serve as role models
What are the qualities of a good nurse educator in Zimbabwe?
Passionate
Passion for the role and a desire to make a difference will affect the way nurse educators deliver their message.
Motivational/Inspiration
They are motivating and energetic and create an invigorating atmosphere that students want to be part of. Inspired students want to keep learning and excelling in their knowledge and abilities.
Inspiring educators help others know why the information is important and how they can use it, not just what the information is.
Well-educated
Nurse educators should be well educated and knowledgeable and possess strong clinical experience and excellent communication skills.
Other qualities include the following:
Critical thinkers
Problem solvers
Compassion
Empathy
Patience
Sense of humor
Lifelong learner
What are the working conditions of nurse educators in Zimbabwe?
Nurse educators typically work in academic settings at nursing schools, colleges and technical schools. Some also work in health care settings as staff development officers or clinical supervisors.
Nurse educators typically do not have to work 12-hour shifts or overnight hours, as clinical nurses often do.
Much of a nurse educator’s day is spent in an office or a classroom, preparing for classes, giving lectures, advising students, grading papers, attending faculty meetings, handling administrative work and keeping up with current nursing knowledge.
Educators who oversee students in clinical settings may divide their time between campus and a nearby hospital or other health care facility. Many faculty members are also actively engaged in research efforts, which add to the scientific base for nursing practice.
I would like employment as a nurse educators in Zimbabwe how do I go about it.