A Comprehensive Faculty Development Model for Nursing Education

Professional nursing education has undergone profound legislative changes requiring a university baccalaureate in nursing as entry to practice as a registered nurse (RN) in Ontario, Canada. Subsequent partnerships between colleges and universities were mandated by the ministry of post secondary education in order to maximize existing resources, such as faculty, and capitalize on the strenghts of both sectors. Faculty, in partnered collaborative undergraduate nursing programs, are challenged by the ever-evolving transition in conceptualization, development, and delivery of nursing education; consequently, the design, dissemination, and evaluation of effective faculty development programs is of paramount importance (Steinert, 2000). This paper focuses on the creation of the Comprehensive Faculty Development Model implemented by a collaborative BScN program partnership in south-western Ontario. It describes the model's contextual underpinnings, illustrates the component parts, explains their relationship, and provides an in-depth discussion of foundational concepts. The model was developed under the auspices of a collaborative faculty development committee with representation from all partners. Summaries of four research studies designed and implemented by members of the partnership provide a useful assessment of how faculty members experienced the inaugural BScN program; however, more study is needed in order to understand what approaches to faculty development are most effective and sustainable.