An evaluation of contemporary issues and models in healthcare education systems today
Introduction
In most countries, the shortage of nurses is a perennial problem although nurses are a
critical link in providing direct patient care. There are currently 29 million nurses and midwives
globally with an estimated demand for one million additional nurses in 2020. Moreover, it is
projected that 11 million additional nurses are needed to curb any future shortages even though
employment opportunities for nurses will steadily grow to 15% by 2026, the fastest of any
profession in the world. A lack of professional educators, inequitable distribution in the
workforce and high employee turnover have been cited as some of the reasons to the shortages
(Haddad, et al., 2021). The section will be assesed on the following key metrics as subheadings:
Reflections on Teaching and facilitation of learning in nursing
Challenges facing nursing educationalists
Key Learning theories and the role of learning and teaching
Reflections on Teaching and facilitation of learning in nursing
As a nursing practitioner and a teacher, one realizes the critical role of preparing students
for clinical experience. Moreover I learned in teaching practice that one needs to consider
reasons to become facilitators, their educational background and adequacy before committing to
the role of nurturing future caregivers.
Themes surrounding assessment, supportive learning environments and modern methods
of teaching in nursing also need to be conceptualized by the facilitator. Although nurses are seen
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to be autonomous in their service delivery, feedback from practicing nurses in liaison with
academic staff will better equip graduating students to the ever-evolving Medicare needs. When
policies and new interventions in nursing are implemented in education, facilitators tend to
sharpen their skills and it ensures they give quality clinical experiences for undergraduate
students. Facilitators are required to reflect meaningfully and keep track of the latest trends in
their practice to maintain their competence. In practice, nursing educators who are more self-
aware tend to be more effective in training nurses and developing reflective learners.
As an educator, integration of evidence-based model of teaching is critical which guides
the educational decisions and practices. Evidence based model facilitates an educator to select
teaching methods, and approaches which meet the needs of learners. At the same time, as an
educator, evidence-based method gives one an opportunity to plan for clinical activities and in
the process assess students learning and performance. Thus, evidence-based system of learning
provides evidence-based system which guides the actions of nurses. As an educator, constant
learning and collaborations with other healthcare facilitators in different fields of medicine will
meet the future demands of the workplace for nurses. Lifelong learning will always facilitate
professional learning for nursing educators.
Challenges facing nursing educationalists
Many studies in the past have shown a causal relationship between work stress among
nurses and the nursing shortage. In Sri Lanka for instance, the nursing shortage has increased the
workload on nurses thereby directly diminishing the quality of healthcare. (Hellerawa &
Chamaru, 2015). It has also been evident that nurses suffer burnout and often opt to leave the
profession with a turnover rate of 37%. Majority of nurses are female and often they cut back
from the profession when balancing their career and family. Also, included in the issues of
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balancing act relate to balancing act where nurses practice a balancing act on giving attention to
their personal life. In the midst of the covid-19 pandemic, the nursing profession has seen a
decline in mental health among nurses as the physical and mental toll of their career weighs on
their well-being.
England in recent years has experienced a demand for geriatric nurses. In most European
countries, nurses that offer general adult health services form the largest group of nurses due to a
fall in the availability of nurse education spaces. Furthermore, quality, safety issues and
inadequate staffing levels are crippling the capacity of nurses to deliver quality healthcare
services (Halter, et al., 2017). Job dissatisfaction, stress and leadership issues have been cited as
a direct causes of high turnover and job dissatisfaction among nurses. Equally, the departure of
mental health professionals from their jobs because of unfair treatment, incivil