Figure 1
Competency-Based Educational Learning Needs Self-Assessment
Highest Level of Nursing Education: ☐ Master’s Prepared ☐ Doctoral Prepared
Current Certification in Nursing Education: ☐ Yes ☐ No
Current Certification in any Clinical Nursing Specialty: ☐ Yes ☐ No Please List: _______________________________
Years of Nursing Experience: ☐ 0-4 5-9 10-14 ☐ ☐ ☐ 15-19 ☐ 20-24 ☐ 25-29 ☐ 30 +
Years of Nursing Education Experience: 0-4 5-9 10-14 ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ 15-19 ☐ 20 -24 ☐ 25 -29 ☐ 30+
Previous Experience as an Educator: Clinical Corporate Academic: ADN BSN MSN Doctoral ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ Learner Population in which you were an Educator:
Undergraduate Nursing Students Graduate Nursing Students Registered Nurses ☐ ☐ ☐ Other _____________________________ ☐
Any formal preparation as an educator? Yes No ☐ ☐
If yes, please specify: _______________________________________
Please rate your level of experience in the following areas of Nurse Educator Core
Comp etencies
Competency I: Facilitate Learning Novice Proficient Expert Comments
Theoretical & evidence-based approaches to education Implementation of student-centered teaching strategies that address diverse learning needs
Adapt experiential learning activities to multicultural, generational, and gender specific needs of learners Self-Reflection and ongoing development of teaching and communication skills to impact learning
Implementation of various technology to enhance student learning
Competency II: Facilitate Learner Development and
Socialization Novice Proficient Expert Comments
Student-centered teaching strategies for classroom &
clinical practice
Design educational activities that foster socialization to the role of the nurse
Student advisement & counseling techniques
Engaged in professional activities that model behaviors consistent with exemplary nursing practice
Competency III: Use Assessment and Evaluation Strategies Novice Proficient Expert Comments
Evaluation of student learning & program effectiveness based on current literature and trends
Design & employ a variety tools/resources to evaluate learning in the cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains that are appropriate to the learner’s goal(s) in classroom and clinical practice
Alter teaching strategies informed by an ongoing evaluation process inclusive of student feedback
Competency IV: Participate in Curriculum Design and Evaluation of Program Outcomes
Novice Proficient Expert Comments
Knowledge of curriculum development including identifying program outcomes, developing competency statements, writing learning objectives, and selecting appropriate learning activities and evaluation strategies Revise and implement curriculum based on change theories, program outcomes, learner needs, and societal and health care trends
Use of content & course mapping within a curriculum to develop a course
Develop evaluation tools to determine student, course &
program outcomes
Use of educational principles, theory, and research to design and implement curriculum and foster clinical reasoning among learners
Competency V: Function as a Change Agent and Leader Novice Proficient Expert Comments
Lead education and practice change that is reflective of respect for cultural differences
Engage in interdisciplinary teams on local, regional, national, or international levels to address health care needs of Veterans and educational needs of students
Serve as a leader in the SON or Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center to advance nursing contributions within the academic community
Foster innovative practices in clinical and educational environments
Competency VI: Pursue Continuous Quality Improvements in the Nurse Educator Role
Novice Proficient Expert Comments
Participate in reviews of courses and programs to ensure quality and progress towards established outcomes Identify faculty development needs through feedback from self, peer, student, and administrative evaluation
Seek faculty development opportunities to improve role effectiveness
Mentor and support the professional growth of colleagues Create and maintain professional portfolio & faculty development plan
Balance teaching, scholarship, and service demands inherent in the role of the educator in the academic environment
Cognizant of ethical and legal implications in academia
Competency VII: Engage in Scholarship Novice Proficient Expert Comments
Incorporate evidence-based strategies in developing student-centered learning activities and practice initiatives.
Display a sustained spirit of inquiry in the educator’s role.
Demonstrate skill in proposal writing for initiatives that include, but are not limited to, research, resource acquisition, program development, and policy development
Knowledge of Resources to Manage Citations, Bibliography
& References
Design, implement and disseminate scholarly work that informs the nursing community.
Nurture nurse scholars by fostering a spirit of inquiry, sharing & self-reflection
Competency VIII: Function Within the Educational Environment
Novice Proficient Expert Comments
Employ decision-making skills in the academic setting that is influenced by health care/societal trends, politics, economics, and institutional and health care organizational priorities.
Develop educational and clinical initiatives that advance nursing influence within the academic and health care community through collaboration and innovation with community stakeholders.
Incorporate SON and VA’s mission, values and goals in designing programmatic activities and professional goals.
Adopt values of service, scholarship, excellence, integrity, commitment, advocacy, and respect in developing professional growth among peers and learners.
Use of resources, technology and equipment specific to the area of work within SON and VA.
Integrate principles of caring in team building, teaching and leadership.
Additional needs:
Faculty Signature ___________________________________ Date:____________
Faculty Development Lead: _______________________________ Date: ______________
Adapted from:
National League for Nursing (2012). Scope of practice for academic nurse educator. New York. (Permission granted).
World Health Organization (2016). Nurse educator core competencies. WHO Document Production Services, Geneva, Switzerland (Permission granted).
