Apparently I was out to lunch when this discussion started, however, I
would like to share with the list a discussion I had this summer with
our camp nurse who is employed as a clinical instructor for a junior
college nursing program. While it is true that all allied medical
professions are not alike, I think on this issue we should explore ways
to make remuneration of our clinical instructors closer in this area.
Their contributions are invaluable and we have not been proponents of
fair compensation for their work. Just as the membership seeks more
comparable wages for the work and responsibility as clinicians, we need
to start thinking seriously about bringing clinical education into the
1990's. Here are the details. Our nurse, let's call her Sue to limit
confusion, is employed by the school of nursing as an adjunct clinical
instructor (not by the hospital). Sue's salary comes from student course
fees (the cost of doing business in nursing education). Sue carries
liability insurance Sue reports to the maternity floor/surgical floor/
ER/ to oversee her eight or so students on the floor for their module.
Granted, nursing students do not spend the equivalent of 4-6 full
semesters in clinical, but you'll see what I am getting at. On the floor
when students are providing patient care, Sue supervises them and
assists them/guides them when necessary. Some floor nurses do supervise
students directly at times, but it is their choice..not a part of their
job..on a procedure by procedure basis. Sue leaves at the end of the
shift; she does this three times per week. Sue evaluates and grades the
students. Sue gives them instruction before they go on the floor.
At this juncture, I cannot fathom an adjunct from University X going to
High School Y (where an ATC is employed) to supervise athletic training
students from University X. I grew up in athletic training watching
overworked clinicians train allied medical students, in addition to
their clinical practice at HS and colleges across the country, FOR FREE.
Perhaps we can open a dialog , share some ideas and forge a plan whereby
we/our Universities can wrap our heads around a way to pay clinical
instructors as adjuncts with some adjustment for the number of students.
If we value a place among allied medical professions, we have to cease
what is tantamount to prostituting clinical instructors.
By the way, our program is able to eek out a small honorarium out of a
clinical ed fee. Our administration has not been receptive to paying
CIs, offering coursework as compensation, giving them an e-mail account,
paying for their internet access etc. Suffice it to say, every idea we
have presented has been rejected. What do you think would happen if next
fall the CIs all opted out.....suddenly no clinical sites for students.
Scary thought. Any thoughts?
Marsha Grant-Ford, ATC, PhD
Clinical Education Coordinator
Montclair State University
grantfordm%40mail.montclair.edu">grantfordm
mail.montclair.edu
973.655.5243
.
