Nurse Educator and Leadership Research Paper

competencies of the direct care provider and the indirect care provider are similar in many ways because both are based on the idea that quality care is the ultimate goal for any stakeholder in healthcare. The competencies are also different in some ways because direct and indirect care providers must focus on roles that are oriented towards using different skills from one another. This paper will compare and contrast the core competencies of the role of a nurse educator with those of a nurse practitioner to show how they are the same and different in a variety of ways.

The core competencies of the nurse educator are based on the idea that the instructor needs to be a leader for students. The National League for Nursing (2017) identifies 8 core competencies for the nurse educator -- and every one of them has something to do with leadership at root -- whether the nurse educator is facilitating the learner in socialization or helping to establish a positive educational environment: at every step the nurse educator is at the fore, leading the way so that the learner can follow in the right footsteps to become a professional nurse. This compares positively with the core competences of the NP, which are identified by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner (2014). There are in fact 7 core competencies of the NP that are related explicitly to leadership are consist of the following:

1. Assumes complex and advanced leadership roles to initiate and guide change.

2. Provides leadership to foster collaboration with multiple stakeholders (patients, community, health care providers) to improve health.

3. Demonstrates leadership that uses critical and reflective thinking.

4. Advocates for improved access, quality and cost effective health care

5. Advances practice through the development and implementation of innovations incorporating principles of change

6. Communicates practice knowledge effectively, both orally and in writing.

7. Participates in professional organizations and activities that influence advanced practice nursing and/or health outcomes of a population focus.

As can be seen, communication is critical for an NP in terms of what the core competencies are: the NP must be able to communicate practice and engage with other professionals; the NP must be able to advocate and foster collaboration. The ability to communicate and speak effectively is a crucial skill that the NP must therefore possess. This is also true for the nurse educator who must be able to lead by being a positive and effective communicator. The first competency for the nurse educator is to facilitate learning, and this cannot be achieved without being a good communicator. The second competency for the nurse educator is to facilitate learner development and socialization -- which means that the instructor must…