Clinical Faculty Associate Model Program (CFA)

Overview
The Clinical Faculty Associate (CFA) Model Program is one of twelve President George W. Bush's High Growth Job Training Initiatives funded by the US Department of Labor. This grant has been designed to create a collaborative, innovative clinical teaching model for practicing RNs to promote career advancement and retention; implement a formal program of study in teaching nursing to prepare CFAs for a teaching role; provide career and educational counseling and mentoring to CFAs; and to improve patient access to quality health care through CFA supervision of students and retention of clinical nurses.

In collaboration with University of Utah Health Care, Intermountain Healthcare and the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, the University of Utah College of Nursing has developed a model program to promote career advancement for RNs working in a clinical setting. Clinical Faculty Associates (CFAs) have 50% release time from staffing standards to supervise students and participate in teaching team meetings for 16 weeks per semester.

As a CFA, you will have the opportunity and be encouraged to:

• Augment your existing clinical skills and knowledge by acquiring formal education resulting in a Master's degree, Post-Master's certificate or specific coursework related to teaching nursing, clinical instruction and nursing education.


• Receive mentorship and guidance from master teachers at the University of Utah College of Nursing.


• Supervise 7 - 10 undergraduate nursing students per semester in clinical rotations at your workplace.


• Serve as Voluntary Teaching Staff in University of Utah College of Nursing

CFA Responsibilities

• Attend CFA orientation and in-services.


• Establish and participate in meetings with assigned mentor.


• Supervise and teach students in a clinical setting.


• Attend all student clinical days, conferences and team teaching meetings.


• Help design student clinical learning experiences, including grading and giving feedback on clinical paperwork.


• Conduct a clinical evaluation of each assigned student.


• Participate in the evaluation of the CFA Model program.

If you are interested in more information about the CFA program, please contact
Jan Abramson at jan.abramson@nurs.utah.edu or 801.587.9638

This project was funded in part by a grant awarded under the President's High Growth Job Training Initiative, as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration.

Page update: 04/03/2007