iTEACH: A Case Study in Health Sciences Microcredentials for Competency-Based Nurse Educator Workforce Development
摘要
The nursing education sector faces a critical challenge in preparing qualified nurse educators while maintaining rigorous teaching standards. This chapter presents a detailed case study of iTEACH, an innovative microcredential program designed to address this challenge through competency-based educator development, hosted by the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth. Grounded in Fink’s (2013) Integrated Course Design, iTEACH emphasizes the alignment of learning objectives, assessments, and learning activities to create a cohesive, impactful, and significant educational experience. The program integrates Chickering and Gamson’s (1987) Principles for Good Practice with competency-based educational strategies, offering a holistic approach to developing essential teaching skills. iTEACH exemplifies key characteristics of effective STEM microcredentials, including modular, stackable credentials and direct alignment with healthcare workforce demands. This case study highlights iTEACH’s capacity to provide scalable solutions for professional growth, addressing critical shortages in nursing faculty. By examining its design and implementation, this chapter offers valuable insights into how microcredentials can enhance workforce readiness and create sustainable professional development pathways across STEM fields.