Lee Dollery – Nurse Educator Portfolio

Through participation in the CASN Nurse Educator Certificate Program (Module 2: Curriculum and Design), I developed a deeper understanding of how thoughtful curriculum design strengthens teaching effectiveness in clinical education. Prior to this course, many of the educational activities I engaged in were informed by clinical expertise and experience; however, I had not fully appreciated the importance of intentionally aligning learning objectives, teaching strategies, and evaluation methods.

This module expanded my understanding of how curriculum design influences not only what is taught, but also how learners engage with knowledge and apply it in practice. Concepts such as alignment, sequencing, and evidence-informed teaching strategies have helped me recognize the importance of structuring learning experiences to support both understanding and competency development.

Through this process, I also gained greater insight into the role of reflection and evaluation in strengthening teaching practice. Gathering feedback from learners and reviewing teaching sessions critically allows educators to continuously refine educational strategies and ensure that learning experiences remain meaningful, relevant, and supportive of clinical competence.

A key realization during this course was that I had already been engaging in aspects of curriculum thinking within my clinical practice. For example, while contributing to teaching within the Labour and Delivery setting and developing the session Supporting Grief Through Mementos in Fetal Loss, I found myself considering how information should be structured, how learners build understanding progressively, and how teaching activities influence engagement and confidence in practice.

The process of creating this e-portfolio has also provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on my development as an educator. Organizing artifacts and examining my teaching practices through the lens of curriculum design has strengthened my ability to articulate the rationale behind educational decisions and to recognize areas for continued growth.

Additionally, this course reinforced the importance of evaluation in clinical teaching. Structured learner feedback provides essential insight into whether learning objectives are being met and whether teaching approaches effectively support learner understanding. Evaluation also plays a critical role in guiding improvements to educational sessions and ensuring that curriculum design remains responsive to learner needs.

Overall, this module has strengthened my confidence in approaching teaching more intentionally and thoughtfully. Rather than viewing teaching as simply the delivery of information, I now recognize curriculum design as a process that integrates clear learning objectives, purposeful instructional strategies, and meaningful evaluation.

Moving forward, I plan to continue applying these principles within clinical education settings by designing learning experiences that are structured, learner-centred, and aligned with competency development. By integrating curriculum design principles into my teaching practice, I hope to contribute to learning environments that support both professional growth and compassionate patient care.