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 specific area of expertise. Her ultimate goal is to be a leader in nursing education.
A Certified Nurse Educator since 2012, Murphy explained that certification was a necessary step to follow her passion and reach her professional goals.
The hardest part of the process for Murphy was overcoming her fear of taking another standardized exam, since it had been several years since she had taken one. To prepare, she read the Certified Nurse Educator Review Manual, took a one-day course at Drexel University, and completed practice questions.
The practice questions turned out to be her best study tactic. They not only helped her identify areas where she needed additional study, but also gave her a clear idea of what to expect on the actual exam.
Murphy is due to recertify in 2022. She plans to do so through continuing education. “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 explained.
Murphy currently works 100% online at Drexel University, where she teaches master’s-level students. She also shared that becoming a CNE was about embracing leadership in the field of nursing education.
She recalls one memorable student, a first-generation college student who excelled in clinical practice but struggled in the classroom. “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,” Murphy said. “We developed a plan, but he struggled throughout the nursing curriculum. His graduation was one of the most rewarding times for me because I was invested in his success.”
A typical day for Murphy involves engaging with students online through discussion boards and email, grading papers, and providing feedback. “My students are my number-one priority,” she said. “I have meetings sporadically, virtual meetings around curriculum and faculty development. Additionally, I will do scholarship—working on presentations I have upcoming or manuscripts I am writing. On less typical days, we see students twice a year in person when I go to the university for a week to work with them directly.”
Her favorite part of being a Certified Nurse Educator is being part of a community 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 explained.
Murphy feels she helps her students most by creating a safe learning environment where they can grow and learn from each other. “I push my students to go further than they thought possible,” she said.
She is also a certified pediatric and school nurse. Reflecting on her career, Murphy noted that the first year of teaching is particularly challenging. “You are never going to stop learning as a nurse educator,” she said. She believes knowledge of teaching strategies, styles, and educational theories is essential for success as a CNE.
Her advice for aspiring Certified Nurse Educators is clear: “If someone is passionate about nursing education, then I would encourage them to get certified. They should reinforce their knowledge and identify any gaps by reading a review book, attending a review course, or completing practice questions.” She encourages candidates to go into the exam confident, knowing they are well prepared.
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