Pathways to a Nursing Education Career

at SciVerse ScienceDirect

Nurse Education in Practice 12 (2012) e11

Contents lists available

Nurse Education in Practice

journal homepage: www.elsevier .com/nepr

Book review

Pathways to a Nursing Education Career, Judith A. Halstead,B. Frank

The book is easy to read and reveals that clinical settings and thenursing education system need not be separate parallels. Impor-tantly, the text gives guidance to new nurse educators joining thefield. It pinpoints the challenges currently affecting the nursingenvironment and faculty, whilst also guiding the educators onhow to address the challenges and become competent in theirnew faculty roles. Nursing educators moving from a clinical envi-ronment to faculty roles can use their practice experience tostrengthen the nursing education environment as theory and prac-tice go in tandem. The book reassures those taking on faculty rolesthat the various tasks of teaching can be learned and gives guidanceon how to develop essential skills needed to successfully engagewith the students and help produce competent nursing graduateswho will ensure the provision of an effective public health system.It also points out the need for continuance to educate one-self asa nurse educator to ensure continuing lifelong professional devel-opment that will enhance the education system and ensure qualitycare provision by the nurse graduates.

The book also highlights the importance of making the facultyenvironment attractive so as to eliminate current and future staff-ing shortages. The continuing dwindling nurse faculty numbersindicate that the faculty role is considered secondary to the clinicalenvironment by many. There is therefore need to give incentives toattract more potential nurse educators. This will ensure the abilityto admit and educate more prospective nursing students.

An important aspect of Pathways to a nursing education careeris how it answers questions that many in the nursing environment

doi:10.1016/j.nepr.2011.09.001

may have about what is required to transition from the clinicalpractice setting to the academic environment. The elaborateexamples given in the book provide practical advice on how tofind teaching opportunities in higher education and make therole transition successfully. The book addresses types of facultyappointments, educational qualifications needed for teaching,considerations in taking a faculty position, beginning a facultyposition and learning about the academic work environment,and faculty development opportunities. I found this to be valuableinformation for potential nurse educators and any nurse studentunsure about writing an attractive curriculum vitae and takingon job interviews. People can at times lose out on potential jobsbecause their curriculum vita was not detailed or they did nothave the right interview skills.

Overall the book highlights the multiplicity of the faculty roleand how potential nurse educators can develop the unique skillsessential for success in their faculty roles. Such awareness of thefull scope of the faculty role will allow anyone joining thefaculty to identify areas for personal growth and development.The book is therefore a key resource for potential nurse educa-tors; those already in the faculty and anyone needing informa-tion on writing cvs, cover letters and interview techniques forfinding the most suitable job. For those choosing to teach, thebook gives invaluable information on the dynamic structures,functions, challenges and opportunities within the nursingeducation environment.

Afam NduFederal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria

E-mail address: afamci@yahoo.com