Nurse Academicians–Are they Clinically Current and Credible?

Nursing is a practice based Profession. There exists a wide spread of assumption that those who teach nursing are also competent clinical practitioners. Conversely, there is an unsubstantiated assumption that if one is an expert in clinical practice, one will naturally be successful in transmitting that knowledge to Novices. The role of the Nurse lecturer is changing. There is growing pressure in western , Middle East countries and professionals alike to recruit nursing teachers who posses both practical and recent experience of Nursing. There is a growing concern amongst practitioners, students and nurse educationalists themselves about the importance of being “clinically credible”. Clinical currency makes the nurse faculty member credible. Although the professional commitments and responsibilities of nursing faculty are significant, it is essential that they remain clinically current.. Many universities are now expecting the faculty to demonstrate that they are connected with the clinical environment, with lecturer practitioner roles being created in order to facilitate clinical credibility.