AORN/UC Denver Clinical Educator Certificate Program

The Clinical Educator Certificate Program is a comprehensive program that provides the knowledge and skills needed to successfully develop clinical education programs in your facility. You need only take three online courses (10 credit hours)! Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a Clinical Educator Certificate. Graduates with this certificate assume professional roles in clinical education including:

Clinical/nursing education director/manager
Community and public health educator
Perioperative educator, clinical nurse specialist educator/manager, and clinical instructor.

Students must have a Bachelor of Science degree (or Instructor approval) to participate in this online certificate program. Courses may be taken out of sequence and may qualify as electives to other School of Nursing graduate degree programs. The Clinical Educator Certificate includes the following required courses:

Clinical Teaching Theory NURS5840-101 (3 Credit Hours)
This course is designed to provide a foundation for clinical education. It presents specific knowledge and skills necessary in developing comprehensive, competency-based programs and activities for health care facilities. Topics include:

Adult Learning Frameworks and Principles
Standards of Practice in Clinical Education
Effective Clinical Education
Ways of Thinking and Communicating
Accreditation and Certification Issues

Writing a Business Plan NURS5841-101 (4 Credit Hours)
This course focuses on management, planning, and budgeting concepts as they pertain to clinical education. Attention will be focused on directing projects and utilizing resources as well as introducing you to external funding. Other course topics include:

Outline a Business Plan
Develop a Business Plan
Empirical Evaluation Techniques
Program Management

Planning and Evaluation NURS5842-101 (3 Credit Hours)
This course focuses on the design, planning, delivery, and evaluation of clinical education programs. Starting with a basic needs assessment, students learn to collaborate to determine and provide optimal education offerings for clinical staff in their organizations. Topics include:

Designing and Implementing a Program

Developing Educational Content Materials
E-communication and Digital Delivery Modalities

Fundamentals of a Clinical Education Program
Program Evaluation

Tuition
Professional Development tuition is $400 per credit hour for the spring semester. See the registration form for additional fees.

Important Dates

Summer Registration is April 7 - May 27, 2008
Summer Semester is June 2 - July 5, 2008
Fall Registration is July 7 - August 18, 2008
Fall Semester is August 25 - December 12, 2008
Spring 2009 Registration is November 10, 2008, through January 6, 2009
Spring 2009 Semester is January 20 - May 15, 2009

Enrollment Process
Complete an application form (PDF) and a registration form (PDF).

Contact for Questions
Office of Professional Development and Extended Studies, UC Denver, SON
Email: professional.development@uchsc.edu
Phone: 303-724-1372

AORN
Susan Bakewell, RN, MS
Phone: 800-755-2676, Ext. 260

Fran Stigliano, MS
Phone: 800-755-2676, Ext. 367