Hi ANTS Members,
Highlighting a Request for help - Educator - staff ratio's and Clinical facilitator staff ratio's in the hope some of our members will be able to help.
Stuart
From: "Redelinghuys, Marlene" <Marlene.Redelinghuys@mater.org.au<Marlene.Redelinghuys@mater.org.au>> Date: 31 May 2011 3:06:17 PM
To: "'kjksecretariat@netspace.net.au<mailto:'kjksecretariat@netspace.net.au>'" <kjksecretariat@netspace.net.au<kjksecretariat@netspace.net.au>>
Subject: Educator - staff ratio's and Clinical facilitator staff ratio's
Good afternoon, I am doing some benchmarking regarding Clinical Educator: Staff ratio's and Clinical Facilitator: Staff ratio's. Would you be aware of any specific guidelines regarding eduction ratio's for Nurses and Midwives?
With thanks,
Marlene
Marlene Redelinghuys
Practice Development Manager
Mater Education Centre
Mater Health Services
Level 1 Quarters Building || Annerley Road || South Brisbane || Qld 4101
t:: (07) 3163 7804 m: 0433 466 569
f: (07) 3163 8344 page: 4016
e: marlene.redelinghuys@mater.org.au<marlene.redelinghuys@mater.org.au>
w: www.mater.org.au<http://www.mater.org.au/>
Request for help - Educator - staff ratio's and Clinical facilitator staff ratio's
by Stuart Taylor -
Number of replies: 2
In reply to Stuart Taylor
Re: Request for help - Educator - staff ratio's and Clinical facilitator staff ratio's
by Deleted user -
Dear Marlene,
The Network of Clinical Coordinators (NCC) represents all universities in Australia and we have discussed this. Most groups are in 1 educator/facilitator to 8 students however there are variations such as required by economics (universities need to have extra students there) or where there is only one or two places available for a student. As well, our university (and a small number of others) have mentored programs for third year students (where the student is allocated a mentor for their placement).
The situation may change as NSW Health are now trying to tell the universities that they will only take facilitated positions, plus there may be set requirements from the national body. This could cause problems in small facilitaties as well as cost blowouts for universities.
Hope this all helps,
Lynne
Director of Clinical Education, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle and Secretary of NCC.
The Network of Clinical Coordinators (NCC) represents all universities in Australia and we have discussed this. Most groups are in 1 educator/facilitator to 8 students however there are variations such as required by economics (universities need to have extra students there) or where there is only one or two places available for a student. As well, our university (and a small number of others) have mentored programs for third year students (where the student is allocated a mentor for their placement).
The situation may change as NSW Health are now trying to tell the universities that they will only take facilitated positions, plus there may be set requirements from the national body. This could cause problems in small facilitaties as well as cost blowouts for universities.
Hope this all helps,
Lynne
Director of Clinical Education, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Newcastle and Secretary of NCC.
In reply to Deleted user
Re: Request for help - Educator - staff ratio's and Clinical facilitator staff ratio's
by Colleen Bell -
Hi Marlene
Like Lynne we have consistenly used the 1:8 ratio of clinical facilitator to student. The difference for us is that we supply the facilitators from our staff. We also use this as part of the development pathway for our nursing staff who are interested in education, and appointments are eagerly sought.  We also have a CF for education in most of our units and >30% of our nursing staff have been trained as preceptors. Because we are building staff numbers to open a new hospital having clinical staff able to teach has been seen as a priority, to develop staff skills and integrate new staff. The various CFs, for students and for ward staff are supported by a Nurse Educator. Currently, I think we have about 180 students from RN & EN courses, that number can increase to >280 at peak times.Â
It would be interesting to know if anyone has actually researched the effectiveness of this 1:8 ratio :-)
Ciao!
Colleen Bell
Nurse Educator