I completely disagree with the petitioners request to the Board to amend 18VAC90-27-60(A)(4) and allow nurses with 20 years or more of experience to serve as faculty for nursing education programs.
Experience alone does not qualify a nurse to effectively educate nursing students and prepare them for success in passing NCLEX and entering the nursing profession as a novice nurse. I believe that experience and the additional education (Master's degree in nursing education specifically and/or a DNP in nursing education) in combination with clinical (bedside) nursing experience are needed for a nurse to be an effective nurse educator. There are so many dynamics to teaching in the didactic classroom setting - understanding adult learning theory, evaluation and assessment strategies, curriculum mapping, test writing, blueprinting and item analysis, providing testing accommodations, understanding NGN/NCSBN questioning, being familiar with higher education organizational dynamics, accreditation requirements, etc. Bedside/clinical experience does not teach or prepare a nurse for the academic environment. I strongly vote against this proposed amendment. This is a big NO for me. Thank you for the opportunity to share my opinion.