FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS THE EDMOND J SAFRA VISITING NURSE FACULTY PROGRAM?

The Edmond J Safra Visiting Nurse Faculty (EJSVNF) Program is a 37 hour CEU approved educational program to bring faculty in schools of nursing up to date on Parkinson’s disease (PD): the disease, the treatments, the role of nursing care in patient and family care over the continuum of the disease.

The model, based on “train the trainer” seeks to teach nursing faculty so they can return to their respective schools of nursing and educate nursing students on this common, neurodegenerative disease. The program is offered once a year, at multiple locations in the United States.  See Program Locations for specifics.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Nursing faculty in schools of nursing who have the ability to share their new knowledge on Parkinson's Disease with nursing students. Additionally, if space allows, the program is opened to other nurse educators such as hospital in-service staff, geriatric/adult nurse practitioners who have teaching roles, and institutional research nurses. These participants are called “auditors”. See section on Auditors for full information.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM?

Participants completing the EJSVNF gain new knowledge, clarification of information, and a new sense of confidence in their understanding of Parkinson’s disease symptomatology, clinical issues, pharmacological, non-pharmacological and surgical treatments, current research, and importantly, the role of the nurse in caring for the patient and family affected with this common, chronic, and progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Participants completing the program are prepared to be the local expert on PD in their institution and community. Additionally, many nurse faculty find they can enhance their scholarship by way of new research ideas and collaboration on projects. Participants will develop a long lasting relationship with the local PD experts at the Movement Disorder Center where they study. Nurse faculty who complete the entire program are granted a $2,000 stipend and 37 CEU's.

HOW IS THE PROGRAM ORGANIZED and WHAT IS TO BE EXPECTED?

The EJSVNF model is “train the trainer”. The program includes didactic, clinical and community hours as well as independent study/project time. All participants attend 2 consecutive days on site at a local academic affiliated Movement Disorder Center (MDC) for the didactic component. At the convenience of the participant and local site, each nurse faculty attends a Parkinson’s disease support group and participants in clinical hours under supervision at the Movement Disorder Center. The independent project is of the participants’ choosing and will be mentored as needed by the local sites and national directors of the EJSVNF team.

In summary, the participants complete 37 hours of CEU approved time in the following manner:

• Didactic hours – A minimum of 8.5 hours (spread over 2 consecutive days at local MDC, scheduled for the entire group)
• Clinical hours under supervision – 16 hours (scheduled individually)
• Support group participation – 3 hours (scheduled individually at convenience of PD support group and participant)
• Independent project – 9.5 hours (done with mentorship as needed) 

PLEASE NOTE that once you begin the program, you are required to fully complete the program within 6 months to obtain the stipend and CEU's.

WHO WILL BE GUIDING MY LEARNING AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE?

Host site faculty are experts nationally and internationally in Parkinson’s disease. They represent multi-disciplinary teams affiliated with large, academic Parkinson’s disease and Movement Disorder Centers. Each site has a host nurse who will work closely with you. The host nurses have multiple decades of experience working in Parkinson’s disease and in providing educational experiences for other nurses.

WHERE and WHEN IS THE EJSVNF PROGRAM OFFERED?

See menu bar link for Program Locations. This will explain the locations and dates available this year. If you must travel to reach a site, you travel and lodging expenses will be your responsibility. The local host site may be able to make recommendations.

AUDITORS: WHAT IS THE ROLE and EXPECTATIONS OF AUDITORS?

As space allows in local host sites, auditors may be admitted into the program. Auditors are defined as non-nursing school faculty nurses who have a role in teaching other nurses. These nurses come from roles such as in-service nurses, adult/geriatric nurse practitioners who have a teaching role, staff nurses interested in learning more who can share with their colleagues, and nurse researchers who have a teaching role.

Auditors attend the two consecutive days of didactic course work at a host Movement Disorder Center. Additionally, it is recommended that auditors attend a PD support group. Clinical hours and an independent project are not expectations of an auditor.

Auditors pay a small fee for program registration and materials ($150) and receive CEU's for those hours completed. Auditors do not receive a stipend.

WHAT IS THE INDEPENDENT PROJECT?

The Independent Project is of the nurse faculty scholar's choosing. The work is the opportunity to engage in self-directed learning and add depth to one's understanding of PD.  Examples of independent projects include, but are not limited to:

• Course content development
• Lecture development
• Initiating a patient-centered group (exercise or support group)
• Research project
• Care plan development
• Patient advocacy
• Review articles in peer-reviewed journals
• Curriculum review

Nursing faculty scholars are encouraged to engage in a project that interests them and contributes to their professional development.   See our page on Alumni Awards for additional ideas on independent projects.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE EJSVNF PROGRAM?

See the menu link Application & Information. There are 2 applications, one for nurse faculty and one for auditors.  Pick the appropriate one and follow the instructions.