Innovating Nurse Education: Embracing Flexibility for the Post-Licensure Learner

by Dr. Parker Brigance DNP, MBA, RN, CEN, CCRN, CNE, NEA-BC, NI-BC, EMT-P, Faculty – College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Columbia Southern University

As a nurse and educator, I’ve come to appreciate that teaching in nursing doesn’t look like it did even a decade ago. When I first launched my career as a nurse, the culture wasn’t quite as supportive as it is today. In today’s world, post-licensure students are balancing clinical shifts, family responsibilities, and a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. They need educators who understand the clinical lifestyle and meet them where they are. Recognizing the daily life of the clinical RN is an expertise. That’s why we, as nursing educators, must lead with innovation and empathy, treating our students with the same level of proficiency that we treat our patients with.

We are no longer just content deliverers; we are bridge-builders, translating complex clinical knowledge into digestible, applicable insights that resonate with adult learners. Understanding key principles of adult learning such as self-direction, relevancy, and life experience, are critical to designing education that sticks. It’s not just about what we teach but how we create the space for learning to thrive. Our students experience our culture of caring, our consistent communication, and our dedication to their success.

A key element of educating clinicians involves adopting a culture of accommodation. This doesn’t mean lowering standards, it means being flexible in how we connect with our students. Whether that’s through asynchronous modules, recorded lectures, or real-time case-based discussions, we honor our students by recognizing their realities and adapting accordingly.

Importantly, we need to recognize that every registered nurse is also an educator. Whether teaching a patient how to manage insulin or walking a family through end-of-life care, education is embedded in every patient encounter. Supporting this dual role means we must empower nurses with strong teaching skills and remind them that what they do every day matters deeply. The root of our profession is not only founded in caring, but also a commitment to facilitate learning with our patients and their families.

In many ways, being a nurse educator today is less about rigid curricula and more about human connection. It’s about blending high standards with high support and fostering a learning environment that prepares nurses not only to succeed, but to lead. Let’s continue redefining what it means to educate nurses by leading with flexibility, relevance, and heart. When we meet learners where they are, we don’t just build better nurses. In fact, we build a stronger, more resilient profession.