Arrange a Nurse Educator Interview

By the end of week 2, you will identify and arrange to interview an experienced nurse educator about the trends in nursing education that she/he has observed or experienced during her/his career in education. You will also develop 10–12 interview questions.

Assignment Guidelines

• The person you select to interview must have a minimum of 5 years experience as a nurse educator currently practicing in academia, staff development, or a clinical nurse educator or patient educator. No family members please.
• You may arrange to conduct the interview in person, by phone, or by online web conferencing.
• In general, when you contact a prospective interviewee, state who you are and explain that the interview is for a university course assignment.
• Ask for a convenient time to meet for a 30-minute interview.
• Type 10–12 interview questions.
• Be prepared to record responses by:
  • Leaving a space below each of your typed interview questions for jotting down responses

General Guidelines for Developing Interview Questions

• Your interview questions will depend on the method of interview (formal or informal, face to face, or online web meeting/conferencing) and the specific area the nurse educator is practicing.
• Word your questions clearly and concisely.
• Ask open-ended questions.
• Begin the interview with simple, factual questions that are easy to answer (icebreakers). This will help put the nurse educator at ease and help you establish a rapport. For example:
  • You may ask about qualifications, credentials, expertise, experience, level of education, responsibilities, and/or a typical day.
  • You may wish to ask questions that elicit feedback about how the person became interested in nursing education, how education was selected as a career path, and what steps were taken to become a nurse educator.
• Next, seek information about personal experiences and opinions, such as:
  • Teaching philosophy and goals related to nursing education
  • Experiences with curricula
  • Experiences with evaluation
  • Ways of knowing that student goals are met
  • Ways of engaging and/or enriching student learning
  • Outlook on the future of nursing education
  • The most effective teaching strategies
  • Positive experiences in teaching
  • Challenges faced as a nurse educator