Did you know that Maryland is the first state in the nation to have all acute care hospitals offer a nurse residency program for Newly Licensed Registered Nurses (NLRNs)? In 2013, nursing leaders formed the Maryland Nurse Residency Collaborative (MNRC) to help support Maryland hospitals implement high-quality nurse residency programs.
These residency programs across the state are coordinated by fantastic nurse educators who provide a strong foundation and smooth transition into the profession for newly licensed nurses.
This series puts a spotlight on those MNRC and NRP coordinators here in Maryland!
Nicole Farnsworth, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CPN is the Clinical Practice/Development Coordinator at University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center. She was kind enough to share about her journey below.
Tell us briefly how and why you became a nurse educator.
"My journey to nursing education came about after I took on a nursing student one day who later wrote a thank you letter to me.
I turned to my best friend and said, “See! I wish I could do that for my job!” and she said, “You know that’s a job, right?” Light bulb! I applied to graduate school the next week!
What is the most important thing you’ve learned in your career as an educator?
"The most important thing that I’ve learned as an educator is that:
building relationships with your nurses is just as important as providing them with information.
If you know who they are and what they like and aspire to, you can meet them where they’re at!"
What advice would you offer to those interested in becoming an educator?
"Be flexible!
Be ready to change your teaching style and program format to adapt to the wants and needs of your learners."
What is your proudest accomplishment as an educator?
"As an educator, my proudest accomplishments occur when I watch people that I’ve taught and mentored grow and lead their units, teach new staff, and win Daisy awards!"
Thank you to Clinical Practice/Development Coordinator Nicole Farnsworth for sharing her story and insight, in addition to the important work she does every day guiding new nurses!
Stay tuned for future spotlights on nurse residency coordinators here in Maryland.
Learn more about the MNRC and the NRP Experience.
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