Making the Move to Blended Learning: Reflections on a Faculty Development Program

Lessons learned from a faculty development program that preceded the move of a traditional PhD program in nursing to a blended learning model using online and face-to-face strategies are discussed. The majority of lessons and strategies presented are universal to any faculty development program. The lessons are organized into seven topics: Situational Leadership, Adult Learners, Just in Time Teaching, Thinking About Learning and Teaching, Lifelong Learning, Transparency and Collaboration, and Community. Our far-reaching lessons are related to the contextual nature of leadership, how to effectively design and time learning experiences for adults, the importance of open and supportive communities working for a common purpose, and how each person’s perspective shapes his or her learning experience and how the lessons learned are applied.