For two decades, the Institute has fulfilled its dual mission of preparing nurses for faculty roles in academic and clinical settings, and providing ongoing professional development for faculty.
Before Brittany Corbin, BSN '14, RN, PCCN, CNE-cl, senior professional development and education support specialist in the University of Maryland School of Nursing’s (UMSON) Department of Partnerships, Professional Education, and Practice, joined the Institute for Educators as a graduate teaching assistant, she had only considered pursuing advanced practice as the next step in her career.
“I knew little about the faculty role and hadn’t recognized the significant impact I could make as a nurse educator,” Corbin said. “After spending about a year with the institute, I decided to switch my major - a decision I haven’t regretted. As I learned more about the faculty shortage and the nurse educator's role, I realized how much I could contribute to the profession. Now, as I complete my practicum in leadership and management with a focus on education, I feel incredibly grateful to the institute for inspiring this meaningful career shift.”
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Transforming students into nurse educators for teaching roles in academic and clinical settings has been the hallmark of the Institute for Educators for two decades. Its 20th anniversary will be formally celebrated at the institute’s Nursing Education Conference, April 25, held in person for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic forced such gatherings into the virtual space.
Founded in 2004, under the co-direction of Louise Jenkins, PhD ’85, MS ’81, RN FAHA, ANEF, professor emerita, and Carol O’Neil, PhD, RN, CNE, associate professor, the institute was created to address the critical and growing shortage of nursing faculty in Maryland and across the nation. It centralized nurse education resources to equip nurses with the essential knowledge and skills needed to assume educator roles in both academic and practice settings. The first of its kind in Maryland, the institute became a forerunner in specifically preparing nurses and other health professionals to become educators of their practice.
The institute's work has been integral to the state's efforts to educate nurses, providing valuable support and resources, says its current director, Susan L. Bindon, DNP ’11, MS ’96, RN, NPD-BC, CNE, ANEF, FAAN, associate professor and associate dean for faculty development.
Since its inception, nearly 800 graduate students have taken academic courses in the Institute for Educators' Teaching in Nursing and Health Professions Certificate. This 12-credit graduate certificate prepares nurses and other health professionals for teaching and faculty roles.
“That’s in terms of numbers,” Bindon says. “In terms of impact, each one of those faculty members is able to educate more students, and with the nursing shortage, and now with the faculty shortage, I think we’ve been able to impact both of those avenues. Better faculty lead to better students who become better nurses, which in turn helps the state. As the flagship school for the state, we take that very seriously. The faculty shortage is one of the biggest concerns in nursing education right now.”