ROLE PERCEPTIONS AND ROLE DILEMMAS OF CLINICAL NURSE-EDUCATORS (FACULTY, WORKWORLD).
Contributors: Boston College.
Published: 1986
Number of pages: 335
Subjects: Sociology, General.
Description: Intensive interviews were conducted with thirty faculty members from six undergraduate nursing programs in the Northeast. The purpose of the study was to analyze the role of nursing educators and determine its implications on the socialization of students as well as the development of the profession. The faculty sampled are demographically representative of nursing educators in the United States.

Data gathered in the investigation were classified into three major themes: constructed certainties, difficulties and uncertainties, and the production of order within the nursing educator role.

Among the areas found to be unproblematic to faculty are the identification of weak versus strong students, the process of counselling students, and the description of the professional nurse as being committed, conscientious, and concerned. The sample derived their own professional self-image largely from faculty they had experienced as students.

Female respondents intended to remain in academia while the males generally sought other positions. Clinical teaching activities were stressed to a greater extent than classroom teaching.

Major areas of concern and/or confusion to the educators included what students actually learn and level of preparation upon graduation. Much difficulty was expressed regarding acceptable student errors and the over protection of students in clinical learning. Faculty noted problems in relating with staff in health care agencies, and the need for constant negotiation in order to facilitate student learning. The sample felt that they had more time consuming and demanding jobs than did faculty members in other fields.

In order to cope with high expectations in academia as well as the increasing specialization in nursing practice, the sample resorted to mechanisms which they had utilized as nurses. These included altruism, spirituality, and the expectation of failure. Also, humor, of several varieties, was used to deal with the cognitive dissonance.

Findings of the study indicate major strain within the role of nursing educator. Friedson's (1984) contention that there is an increasing divergence between intellectual elite and others in an occupation was supported. Implications include the need for change within the role of nursing educator.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-05, Section: A, page: 1887.

Thesis (PH.D.)--BOSTON COLLEGE, 1986.

School code: 0016.