Course Description

The Standards for the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) specify that nursing faculty who teach in a program leading to initial licensure have preparation in teaching and learning principles for adult education, including curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation.” This preparation can be completed before or within the first three years of employment.

To meet this requirement, the nursing faculty at Gaston College developed the Nursing Education Educator Development (NEED) program. This program is also offered to colleagues across the state.

Gaston College offers a 55-hour, 10-week, online NEED program to existing and potential nursing faculty in North Carolina.

The certificate program is designed to:

• Prepare nursing instructors in teaching and learning principles for adult education
• Offer flexibility and convenience to faculty educators as they increase their mastery of teaching skills
• Meet the nursing instructor preparation requirements according to NCBON requirements
• 55 contact hours can be applied toward the continuing competence requirement for license renewal

Refer to 21 NCAC 36.0318 and 36.0232 on the NCBON.org website for additional information.

Contact hours have been approved by the North Carolina Board of Nursing

Major topics to be covered in this online program include:

• • Foundations of Nursing Education
  • The Role of the Nurse Educator
  • Adult Learning Theories and Learner Characteristics
  • Evidence-Based Teaching Strategies
  • Developing Clinical Judgment in Nursing Students
  • Clinical, Laboratory, Simulation and Online Teaching
  • Curriculum Development
  • Writing Measurable Learning Objectives
  • Course and Syllabus Development
  • Student Assessment and Evaluation
  • Test Blueprinting and Item Writing
  • Clinical Evaluation and Feedback
  • Developing Learning Activities
  • Curriculum Design Project

All nursing educators will gain knowledge that will include practical approaches for instructive and clinical teaching, accessible technology to support teaching, and discussion regarding effective uses of evaluation outcomes.

Prerequisites

• Be able to speak, read, and write the English language
• Students must have an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Nursing to be eligible to register for the course.

Book
There is no book requirement for this course

Course Hours
55 Hours (Fully Online via Blackboard)

PLEASE NOTE: Access to Blackboard will not be available until the first day of class, around 9 am. The information on how to log in will be provided a few days before the start date.
Fall 2026
Course Dates 10/5/26 – 12/7/26

Course Location ONLINE

Class skip dates are 10/19, 10/20, and 11/25-11/28

Cost $180

All registered and paid students will receive an email before the beginning of the course with information on how to access Blackboard* with your specific logins and passwords. *Access is not available until the first day of class

Registration Options

If you need assistance with registration, please contact CE Registration at 704-922-6232.

Online (recommended)

• Click on the following link and follow the instructions as listed: CE Registration Link
• Reminder: In the Course Code Number field, enter a single keyword (Educator). No additional information is required.

Notes when using Online registration:

If you have an address change, name change, etc., we will need this updated information so we can contact you in case of a class change/cancellation or refund. Entering different information on the registration form will not update any existing records. If your information has changed, please click here to provide us with a current email address and phone number if it has changed since first enrolling at Gaston College, or you may call the Registration Department at 704-922-6232.

Online registration is not an option for all classes, or if the course fee will be waived. Credit card payments will only be accepted with Online and Walk-in registration.

You cannot DROP/WITHDRAW from classes using Self-Service. If you need to drop or withdraw before the class start date, please contact the Registration Department at 704.922.6232 or [email protected].

In-person walk-in (payment is due at the time of registration)

CE Registration Department
MYERS CENTER – 2nd floor
201 Highway 321 South, Dallas, NC 28034

Monday – Thursday 8 am – 5 pm, Fridays 8 am – 11 am

Summer Hours: Monday – Thursday: 8 am-5 pm; Fridays CLOSED

Refund Policy

If a student officially drops from a class or classes before the 10 percent date of the class(es), a 75 percent tuition refund will be given for the class(es) dropped. A 100% refund will be made if the student drops from the class before the class start date. No refunds will be given after the 10 percent date. If a course fails to materialize, refunds are automatically processed. (The refund policy is subject to change. Refunds of tuition will be issued in accordance with the current state and college policy.) To request a refund or transfer, please email [email protected].

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For more information, please email us at [email protected].