Courses / DNP Nursing / NURS-FPX6100
MSN Nursing Education · Capella FlexPath

NURS-FPX6100: The Role of Nurse Educators

A practicum-linked MSN course examining the tripartite nurse educator role — teaching, service, and scholarship — through six structured assessments that develop competency in nursing education practice, ethics, and professional development.

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NURS-FPX6100 establishes the foundational framework for the MSN Nursing Education specialization by examining the full scope of what nurse educators do — not just teaching, but the tripartite model of teaching, service, and scholarship that defines the faculty role in academic and healthcare settings. The six assessments range from practicum coordination and reflective papers to a legal/ethical change presentation and a professional development plan, requiring students to develop both analytical depth about nursing education as a discipline and practical planning competency for their own career trajectory. This guide explains what each assessment requires and how professional support for NURS-FPX6100 can help you succeed across all six deliverables.

Course Overview

Students examine nurse educator competencies, the professional development activities expected of those who fill the faculty role, and the responsibilities associated with functioning as a nurse educator in academic or healthcare environments. The course requires 50 supervised practicum hours alongside the written assessments. Special permission is required for registration, and the course is available to MSN FlexPath students only.

Key Assessments

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Common Challenges in This Course

Assessment 2 is most commonly under-graded because students write diary-style reflections rather than competency-linked critical analyses — rubrics require specific references to the NLN Core Competencies of Nurse Educators or equivalent frameworks. Assessment 3 is challenging for students without a background in education theory: the teaching philosophy must be grounded in named learning theory, not just personal teaching preferences. Assessment 4 (legal/ethical presentation) often loses points when students choose issues that are too broad — selecting a specific, operationally defined issue (e.g., ADA accommodation processes in nursing programs) produces a more substantive change proposal than a general topic like "ethics in nursing education."

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NURS-FPX6100 FAQ

What competency framework should I use for the Assessment 2 reflection?

The NLN Core Competencies of Nurse Educators (2019 revised edition) is the most commonly referenced framework. The AACN Essentials can also apply, particularly for competencies related to scholarship and professional development. The framework must be named and applied — not just mentioned.

Does the teaching philosophy need to reference a specific learning theory?

Yes — the Assessment 3 rubric typically requires connection to a named learning theory (constructivism, adult learning theory/andragogy, transformative learning, social cognitive theory). Personal teaching preferences alone, without theoretical grounding, will not meet the scholarly standard.

What types of legal/ethical issues work best for Assessment 4?

Issues that are specific enough to generate a focused change proposal work best: ADA accommodation procedures in nursing programs, academic integrity policy enforcement, clinical placement liability, faculty-student boundary ethics, or accreditation compliance with ACEN or CCNE standards. Broad topics like "ethics in healthcare" are too vague for a substantive change proposal.

Does the professional development plan need to reference CNE certification?

CNE (Certified Nurse Educator) or CNEcl (Certified Nurse Educator Clinical) certification is the standard professional benchmark for nurse educators, so referencing it as a goal is appropriate. The plan must also include specific development activities, timeline, and resources beyond certification alone.

How many practicum hours are required?

50 supervised practicum hours are required for NURS-FPX6100. These must be completed in a nurse educator role context and documented through Assessment 6, which requires preceptor verification.