This review manual is aimed at nurses preparing to take the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) examination. The blueprint of the book follows the CNE Certification Exam, with each chapter identifying the percentage of the content represented in the exam. The most heavily weighted chapters are located in the beginning of the book to assist the reader in prioritizing their study time.
In addition to nurse educators preparing for the exam, this is a worthwhile resource for Clinical Nurse Specialists that work with nurse educators, nursing administrators that oversee the work of the nurse educators, and nurses at large. This manual clearly defines the criteria that nurses can be measured by to demonstrate that they excel as nurse educators. In turn, this can assist administrators in the process of standardizing performance evaluations and assist in clearly communicating standards for nursing educators within an institutional or academic environment.
The editors decided to update the first edition as it "assisted so many nurse educators to become certified that we decided to update and expand the content to keep up with the ever-changing discipline of nursing education" (p. xvii). For example, the editors supplemented this new edition with information as online teaching (Chapter 4), skills lab learning (Chapter 5), and functioning as a change agent (Chapter 13).
In Chapter 4 on the topic of online teaching, there is a useful exhibit, 4.1 on page 96, entitled, "51 Competencies for Online Instruction." A few of the specific competencies include "act like a learning facilitator rather than a professor" and "model good participation" (p. 96).
In the skills lab training chapter (Chapter 5), Table 5.1, on page 112, discusses common psychomotor skills for nurse learners. These range from beginning skills to advanced skills. At times, it can be difficult for the nurse educator to recall being a novice as a nursing student. This table assists the proficient educator to remember what it was like to be a beginner versus an expert in the field.
Functioning as a change agent and leader is addressed in Chapter 13. In part, this chapter provides a useful overview of classic changes theories, including Lewin's Three-Step Change Theory (p. 268) and Roger's Diffusion of Innovation Theory (p. 269). These two change theories, in particular, are widely utilized in the healthcare arena as the backbone when introducing one of the many changes that are occurring on a daily basis.
In addition to the new chapters, chapters from the prior edition have been expanded to incorporate the latest trends in nursing education. For instance, in Chapter 1 on the topic of introducing the CNE exam and its blueprint, there is an example of one of the many boxes, based on evidence-based teaching practices, inserted throughout the manual. Specifically, on page 9, the insert states: "Testing anxious learner who write about their test-related concerns for approximately 8 to 10 minutes prior to testing will result in their scoring closer to their potential" (Beilock, 2010).This is useful information to possess for the nurse educator or when educating others.
This edition has updated information on topics such as online learning and learning with simulation. The simulation chapter (Chapter 14) includes a template for developing a human patient simulator (HPS) simulation. One of the teaching gems in the chapter states, "learners can benefit from HPS not only in the simulation laboratory but also in the classroom if manikins are placed on a mobile apparatus that can be easily transported" (p. 143). These kinds of teaching gems are placed in each of the chapters. Finally, at the end of the book, there is a comprehensive exam (100 questions) with answers. Each of the questions has the rationale for the correct answer as well as why the other choices are incorrect. This is an excellent way to test the reader and assist in determining what sections may need to be further reviewed. All this serves to increase the confidence of the future test taker in the most efficient manner, making this manual a worthwhile investment.
Disclaimer: The author has disclosed that she has no significant relationships with, or financial interest in, any commercial companies pertaining to this review.
Additional references cited that are included in the manual: