Orientation Learning Needs of Adjunct Clinical Faculty in the United States

Abstract

AIM The aim of the study was to examine the orientation learning needs of adjunct clinical faculty as they transition from expert clinicians to novice educators. BACKGROUND Schools of nursing are increasingly using adjunct clinical faculty because of the nurse faculty shortage. Retention is a concern. METHOD This descriptive quantitative study used the Needs Assessment Survey for Topic Inclusion in a Guide to Orientation. Adjunct clinical faculty rated the level of importance of orientation topics and if they received needed information. RESULTS The majority of topics were found to be rated very important or important. Several items deemed very important or important were either not discussed or not sufficiently discussed in orientation. CONCLUSION The information obtained demonstrates the vast amount of information that adjunct clinical faculty want and need in an orientation.