NUR365 – Introduction to Gerontological Nursing

Description:

The Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing Program provides a full-time, two-year, second entry baccalaureate nursing education. Given that nursing is a practice-based profession, we believe that clinical experience is a vital and integral component of the curriculum, providing students with hands-on opportunities to actively apply classroom learning to ‘real life’ nursing practice under the supervision and support of a clinical teacher. Clinical Instructors (CIs) play an important role in facilitating student learning and providing excellent clinical learning experiences to further develop students’ knowledge, skill, and judgement.

CIs should be flexible and prepared to utilize additional learning modalities such as simulation and virtual clinical learning in the event a clinical day is cancelled by the organization. CIs will work closely with the Clinical Education Office and Course Faculty to develop and share resources to support the continuity of clinical teaching and student learning. CIs are required to complete all on-boarding and orientation activities required by the faculty as well as the clinical placement site prior to the start of the placement in preparation for their clinical teaching role. Ongoing support will be provided throughout the term by Course Faculty, the Undergraduate Clinical Resource Faculty, and the Clinical Education Office. Applicants should note that commitment to the role for each scheduled shift for the entire term is needed for consistency in the development, assessment, and evaluation of nursing students.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Complete the asynchronous CI orientation learning modules as required and attend the in-person Faculty-led CI orientation for NUR365.
2. Complete all on-boarding and orientation required by the University as well as the clinical placement site prior to the first clinical shift.
3. Familiarize themselves with and uphold all faculty and University policies related to clinical placements (e.g., CI and Student Absences, Professional Behaviour).
4. Attend all clinical shifts as scheduled.
   1. Personal obligations (e.g. attending conferences, vacations, or appointments) are to be scheduled outside of the clinical shifts.
   1. In the case of extenuating circumstances (e.g. illness and/or bereavement) – CIs are required to notify the Clinical Education Office with the dates as soon as possible. CIs may also be asked to assist the Clinical Education Office to arrange a possible replacement instructor.
5. Prepare patient assignments prior to students’ arrival on the nursing unit, reflective of the students’ level of expertise.
6. Facilitate students’ application of theory related to foundational therapeutic, relational, and health assessment skills.
   1. Note: Students are expected to apply learning from the classroom and lab settings each week during their clinical shifts. This is done through practising the learned assessments and skills as part of the nursing care provided, as well as engaging in active discussions about the learning with the CI and clinical group.
7. Assist with and assess the students’ preparation for their clinical activities with attention to integration of nursing, pathophysiological, and therapeutic concepts.
8. Encourage an inquiring, theory, and evidence-informed approach to nursing practice.
9. Facilitate interprofessional and intraprofessional communication among students and all members of the health care team.
10. Directly supervise and assist students as they relate to and provide care for older persons, while also monitoring and assessing students’ progress with meeting the clinical practice expectations.
11. Collaborate with nursing staff in gaining assistance and access to learning experiences for the students.
12. Foster reflection and critical discussion about clinical learning among students during weekly post-clinical conferences.
13. Participate in weekly email communication with Course Faculty and provide a brief update and/or identify any concerns about students’ experiences and clinical progress.
14. Provide students with ongoing verbal feedback about their progress with meeting the clinical practice expectations for the course.
15. Provide written midterm and final online evaluations incorporating feedback from all clinical shifts.
16. Arrange and facilitate a short 1:1 virtual meeting to review each students’ final evaluation within a week of the final clinical shift.

Qualification:

1. Interest in clinical teaching and working with novice nursing students.
2. Minimum of 2-3 years of current and relevant clinical experience (Long Term Care / older person care / adult acute care nursing).
3. Current registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario as a Registered Nurse or Registered Nurse in the Extended Class.
4. BScN required; MN will be considered an asset.
5. Previous experience in clinical instructing or as a preceptor is an asset.