The Integration of Research by Nurse Educators: Advancing Practice Through Professional Development Programs

BACKGROUND: This article describes how nurse educators at The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, have used Benner's findings as a framework to direct the advancement of professional development programs, specifically preceptorship, orientation, and central education programs. METHOD: Narrative methodology was introduced as a key educational strategy to capture the complexity of pediatric clinical practice and enhance learning experiences. RESULTS: The shift in content and structure of the education programs from a structured behavioral teaching-learning framework to the use of narrative methodology has enhanced learning, professional development and clinical practice. CONCLUSION: Participant evaluations of these programs suggest a high level of satisfaction with the use of narrative methodology. Evaluative measures focusing on the relationship between narrative methodology, professional development, and client outcomes is needed. This evaluative approach that measures outcomes is imperative to future directions in program planning.