Nurse educators must refocus from being a patient-centered advocate to being a learner-centered advocate. Incivility to and among learners and educators is too common. Educators facilitate learning and promote trust by modeling conflict resolution and engaging in self-reflection. Trust is built as educators demonstrate congruence …show more content…
Space without boundaries is a chaotic void where no learning is likely to occur (Palmer, 1998). While boundaries indicate the journey has a destination; openness indicates there are many ways to reach the end (Palmer, 1998). In the clinical setting, learners identify boundaries of good and poor practice as they struggle with the knowledge-practice gap, the gap between what one knows and what one does in practice. A similar lament is found in the Bible; “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (Romans 7:15, New International Version). Learners may experience formation from a critical stance, as they observe deviations from standards of care and best practices. Clear boundaries may prevent incivility. For example, in the classroom, boundaries prevent chaos as educators and learners adhere to deadlines, produce quality work, and act professionally in all interactions. Educators make expectations clear through written and verbal instructions. Educators model initiative and lifelong learning through professional development, such as advocacy, participation in professional organizations, lifelong learning, dissemination of information through publications and …show more content…
To develop competency, learners must receive, process, and implement knowledge. During this time, self-exploration occurs along with feedback from others. Utilizing this feedback, the novice is transformed into a competent professional with a sense of purpose and direction. Without feedback the novice may not develop a strong work ethic. Without encouraging guidance, the learner may feel inferior. The learner in the stage of competence remains in the same or similar situations for two or three years and begins to demonstrate competence, efficiency, and confidence (Benner et al., 2010). The learner demonstrates analytic contemplation of problems and can complete tasks within a suitable time frame without supporting