The Formation Process of Developmental Ability of Expert Nursing Educator Narratives about their Experiences

Abstract

〔Objective〕To clarify the process of competence development based on expert nursing educators’ own recounting of their experiences.

〔Methodology〕Utilizing a qualitative and written process, eleven nursing educators with over ten years of experience were selected for semi-structured interviews, and the data were analyzed using M-GTA based on SCQRM.

〔Results〕When they were beginning nursing educators, expert nursing educators utilized their experiences of overcoming adversity and reflecting on those events. Then, when they became competent/proficient, they worked together through sustained learning as a community, developing competencies as nursing educators. As expert educators, they understood their roles and showed themselves as models for other instructors. This process occurred in a cyclical fashion, with actions taken based on reflection on past performance and awareness of responsibilities vis-à-vis each stage. These efforts were reflected in teaching activities that took the form of working in tandem with students, obtaining clinical knowledge, and building new knowledge frameworks. At the basis of their experiences was a process of forming a foundation for competencies based on reconsidering their own pedagogical viewpoints and searching for career anchors.

〔Conclusion〕Results indicated that expert nursing educators engaged in a process of reflection and application as agents pursuing lifelong growth and development. They defined career anchors and developed competencies while gaining experience as educators and undergoing life events.