A Nurse's Step-By-Step Guide to Transitioning to an Academic Role - by Mercy Ngosa Mumba (Paperback)

About the Book

"Starting any new professional endeavor can be as challenging and overwhelming as it is exciting. Moving from practice to education can further amplify the uncertainty. Academia is a whole different world, which means a unique new culture, different priorities, and a complete change in your day-to-day work life. Lucky for your soon-to-be students, you already know what it takes to be a strong, competent clinician. You just need to transfer that knowledge to future nursing professionals. A Nurse's Step-by-Step Guide to Transitioning to an Academic Role gives you a detailed road map for a successful transition to academia. Using a conversational tone and highly practical tools, author Mercy Ngosa Mumba explains how to: Understand different types of academic appointments. connect with colleagues and students, juggle various academic responsibilities, manage your time and stress, and contribute to a more equitable institutional culture. This book will help you draw upon your strengths to create a new, successful, and satisfying academic career that supports the nursing profession. Whether in your first or second year, this book offers crucial guidance in learning how to balance competing priorities and avoid burnout. You will learn to not just survive but thrive in academia!"--

Book Synopsis

Awarded first place in the 2022 AJN Book of the Year Awards in Nursing Education/Continuing Education/Professional Development!

We say that in nursing, the possibilities are endless because there is just so much you can do with your career. I like to say that the possibilities in academia are almost endless because academia works a little differently. Understanding your role as an educator in your specific college or school of nursing requires understanding the mission, vision, core values, organizational structure, and strategic plan for your institution and college. Anyone in academia will tell you that these institutions exist to educate future professionals. Therefore, being an educator is a significant responsibility in helping the institution meet its core purpose. There may be a heavy emphasis on research and scholarship depending on your type of institution, but individual expectations will vary based on the type of appointment you receive.

Whether you are coming from clinical practice, industry, the corporate world, community-based practice, or any other type of practice setting, transitioning into academia requires you to stash your proverbial toolbox with the necessary tools for the job to be effective in your new role and to quickly acclimate to this unique environment. Indeed, you may have heard some horror stories.However, this book provides you with a step-by-step guide to transitioning to an academic role. We address all things academia, and nothing is off limits.

This book is divided into three parts:

Part

I: Welcome to Academia

Part

II: Choosing the Best Role for You

Part

III: It Starts and Ends With You: Mind, Body, and Soul

Throughout the book, you will find a recurring section titled "Mercy's Moments," where I share the many things I have learned on my own journey in academia. I share funny and sometimes even embarrassing stories to illustrate a point or emphasize a concept. I give you a glimpse into my personal triumphs and tragedies of transitioning into an academic role, and that's OK. You'll also find "Success Nuggets" as you go along-small tidbits of information that either reinforce important points or offer additional tips. So, hang tight, and let us equip you to not only survive academia but also thrive while you're at it.