nycnect

NYCNECT is a 5-year, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-funded mechanism for the Faculty Development: Integrated Technology into Nursing Education and Practice Initiative (Faculty Development: ITNEP). Led by principal investigator, Dr. Joyce Griffin-Sobel, CUNY faculty receive hands-on instruction in innovative pedagogy, especially simulation, informatics and telehealth. By creating a consortium of all CUNY nursing schools, with Hunter College as the lead, NYCNECT strengthens nursing education through innovative teaching and use of technology.

By increasing faculty expertise in use of simulation, informatics and telehealth, the long term outcomes of this project are to prepare nursing students for 21st century health care practice, and to contribute to the reduction of health disparities in under-served populations by preparing a diverse culturally competent nursing workforce.

Aims

The specific objectives of NYCNECT are to transform teaching and learning in nursing education at CUNY by:

• Supporting the sharing and dissemination of expertise and resources in learner-centered technological strategies through a multi-institution collaborative infrastructure within the 12 CUNY schools of nursing.
• Preparing nurse educators at CUNY to use culturally competent simulated learning, informatics and telehealth.
• Demonstrating evidence-based education in new technologies, including distance learning methodologies and the creation and dissemination of learning environments that promote active collaborative learning  and knowledge creation that apply 21st century literacies (information, digital, visual).

By the completion of the one-year program, faculty will become proficient in the following areas:

• Teaching with culturally competent simulation scenarios
• Teaching with innovative pedagogical tools, including informatics, mobile computing devices, and telehealth technologies
• Serving as “transformers” at their home institutions by assisting colleagues in integrating technology into their teaching

Curriculum

NYCNECT consists of online learning modules with in-depth sequences in nursing simulation, informatics, mobile computing devices, and telehealth applications.  In addition to online training, NYCNECT faculty trainees attend seminars on integrating these instructional technologies in their teaching.  Seminars are 1-2 days each and are held throughout the year.

Each cohort receives over 45 hours of professional development over a period of 12 months, with additional opportunities for mentoring and networking.  Participants are provided with a private networking group on CUNY Academic Commons to discuss and share ideas and experiences with other faculty, fostering collaboration among a diverse cohort of nursing educators at CUNY.  Training is conducted by highly-experienced faculty and guest speakers with extensive backgrounds in simulation and other instructional technologies.

Eligibility

NYCNECT is open to nursing faculty currently teaching at one or more CUNY schools of nursing.  Full time and adjunct faculty are encouraged to apply.  NYCNECT faculty trainees serve as “transformers” by assisting colleagues at their home institutions on the use of instructional technologies.  All applicants should have an interest in learning how to teach with technology and have an idea for a project or curricular change to implement at their home institution.  Faculty trainees must demonstrate a commitment to completing all aspects of the year-long program.  Enrollment begins every October for the following year, with training commencing in January.

Benefits

Faculty Transformers receive free tuition for all NYCNECT seminars and access to online learning modules, extensive mentoring and support, and a laptop computer for their participation in the program.

Key Investigators (In Alphabetical Order)

Martin Dornbaum, MS

Joyce Griffin-Sobel, PhD, CNE, ANEF, RN (Principal Investigator)

Pamela Y. Mahon, PhD, NEA-BC, RN

Donna Nickitas, PhD, RN, CNAA, BC

Kathleen Nokes, PhD, RN, FAAN

Alexandra Plavskin, MSN, RN

Project Coordinator:

Mr. Shawn McGinniss (smcginni@hunter.cuny.edu)

Read more about NYCNECT at www.nycnect.org.

NYCNECT is funded by the HRSA faculty development grant, Integrated Technology into Nursing Education and Practice (ITNEP), UIKHP18285.