Building a Science of Nursing Education ─ Foundation for Evidence-Based Teaching-Learning

Building the Science of Nursing Education: Foundation for Evidence-Based Teaching and Learning is the culmination of a seven-year project by the NLN Task Group on Teaching-Learning Paradigms. The contributors, all seasoned nurse educator-scholars, thoroughly investigated existing studies of nursing education practice and created the first model for building a science of nursing education, which, it is hoped, will serve as a foundation for continuing scholarship in the field.

Cathleen M. Shultz, PhD, RN, CNE, FAAN is professor and dean at Harding University’s Carr College of Nursing. She received a diploma in nursing from East Liverpool City Hospital (Ohio), a BSN from the University of South Carolina, a master’s in nursing from Emory University (Atlanta, GA) and a doctorate from Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN). A nurse educator for 30+ years, she has taught and learned from excellent nursing students (over 2000+) and a cadre of quality, caring colleagues. She has taught diploma, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral students and served three prior positions in hospital staff development.

Her interests are curriculum design, innovations in teaching-learning, mentoring, professional values and evaluation of learning. Having twice received Harding University’s Outstanding Teacher Award, she maintains an active teaching practice. She is a past treasurer of the NLN (2005-2007) and past chair-elect of the NLN’s Measurement and Evaluation Advisory Council (2004-2005). With international experience in nursing education, she has been privileged to consult with numerous nursing programs for curriculum, faculty development and accreditation needs. Along with the NLN colleagues, she was among the founders of the Academy of Nursing Education. She earned the CNE in 2006 and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.