Jackie Murphy MSN, RN, CPN, CNE

By Erin Flynn Jay

Jackie Murphy decided to become a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE®) because she believes it’s important to be a leader and role model in a certain area of expertise. Her goal is to be a leader in nursing education.

A Certified Nurse Educator since 2012, Murphy said that to follow her passion, she felt that becoming certified was necessary in achieving that goal.

Because it had been several years since she had taken a standardized exam, the fear of taking another standardized test was the hardest part for Murphy. She read the Certified Nurse Educator Review Manual, took a one-day course at Drexel, and did practice questions.

The best study tactic Murphy used to prepare for the exam was the practice questions. They allowed her to identify areas where she needed to go back and study more and she knew what to expect when going into the exam.

Murphy is due to recertify in 2022. “It’s all about documenting the conferences I’ve attended, presentations I’ve done, the work on curriculum development I’m doing, and putting it in one form when it’s time to recertify,” she said, as she plans to recertify by continuing education.

Murphy works at Drexel University, 100% online, where she teaches master’s level students.

Murphy also decided to become a CNE because she wanted to be a leader in the field of nursing education and getting her certification was the natural next step. She remembers one student in particular who was a first-generation college student. “He was amazing in clinical yet in the classroom he was always falling asleep or rarely there. I found out he was supporting his family and working extra shifts at the hospital,” said Murphy. “We developed a plan, but he struggled throughout the nursing curriculum. His graduation was one of the rewarding times for me because I was invested in his success.”

A typical day involves engaging with her students online via discussion boards and email and grading their papers and discussions. “My students are my number-one priority. I have meetings sporadically, virtual meetings around curriculum and faculty development. Additionally, I will do scholarship,” she said. “I might work on presentations I have upcoming or manuscripts I am writing. In a not-so-typical day, we see students twice a year in person. I go to the university for a week to work with the students.”

Murphy’s favorite part of being a Certified Nurse Educator is being part of a group of dedicated educators. “When you surround yourself with people who are better, more knowledgeable and more experienced than you, it pushes you to grow,” she said. Murphy feels she helps her students the most by “creating a safe environment for them to learn, not just from me but from each other. I push my students to go further than they thought possible.”

Murphy, who is also a certified pediatric and school nurse, said the first year of teaching is challenging. “You are never going to stop learning as a nurse educator,” she said.

Murphy thinks the knowledge of how to teach is essential for success as a CNE. There are different types of strategies, styles, and theories on education.

Her one piece of advice for someone thinking about becoming a CNE? “If someone is passionate about nursing education, then I would encourage them to get certified. They should reinforce their knowledge and identify any gaps in their knowledge by reading a review book, attending a review course, or completing practice questions,” she concluded. Then they should go into the exam confident that they are well prepared.

 

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