Benefits and Challenges of Clinical Nurse Educator Roles: A Qualitative Exploratory Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The nurse will successfully apply high quality of care if maintaining their comptencies. The quality of nursing care is dynamic, and competency is needed to be adapted. Besides, The presence of clinical nurse educator (CNE) able to strengthen nurses’ knowledge and skill in the clinical setting. AIM: This study aimed to explore the benefits and challenges of CNEs. METHODS: A qualitative exploratory design was used in this study. Data were collected by focus group discussion with eight CNEs at Sanglah General Hospital Bali. Content analysis was used for analyzing the data. RESULTS: The findings of this study suggest certain advantages for the hospital, such as continuing professional education and becoming a role model. Greater incentive to learn, as well as personal rewards such as increased self-confidence, being appreciated, and trust. A lack of support from management related to educational preparation for this function, the ambiguous role, the necessity to continue giving direct care, and the CNE ratio with the number of nurses is not equal were some of the challenges that arose. CONCLUSION: CNEs serve a critical role in the clinical context. They help nurses with ongoing education and competency maintenance. While numerous excellent outcomes have developed for hospitals and CNEs personally, many of them confront several obstacles in fulfilling their work properly.