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shutterstock_1422870098-1024x683The NC AHEC Nursing Clinical Instructor Partner (CIP) program aims to increase nursing faculty through partnerships between academic nursing programs and practice organizations. This innovative clinical education model prepares qualified RNs to serve as Clinical Instructor Partners (CIPs) without leaving their clinical role in their practice organization. NC AHEC, NC academic nursing programs, and practice organizations partnered to launch the CIP program.

This program is for RNs with a BSN or higher who want to work as a CIP or clinical Instructor (CI) in an LPN, ADN, or BSN program and stay in their current clinical practice role. Apply today!

Program Description

This course prepares RNs to serve as clinical nursing instructors able to lead a group of nursing students.
  • Teach where you work! CIPs are RNs working in a dual role as clinician and instructor for an academic/practice partnership. If you want to work as an instructor without leaving your clinical role, this course is for you!
  • Approved by the NC Board of Nursing to meet the 45-hour teaching and learning requirement for new faculty.
  • Offered 3 times a year. and taught in cohorts over 11 weeks through online modules, live webinars, and a shadow experience.
  • Over 160 Clinical Instructor Partners have been trained since 2023, helping strengthen and expand North Carolina's nursing workforce.

Target Audience

  • RNs with a BSN or higher and 2 years of experience.
  • CIPs: RNs working in a dual role for an academic/practice partnership.
  • CIs: Clinical instructors working for a school of nursing.

What You Gain

  • Gain the essential knowledge and skills needed to succeed as a clinical instructor while building a supportive network of nurse educators and fostering professional growth that strengthens the nursing workforce.

Registration and Cost

  • There is no registration fee for a limited time for those working as a CIP. Your employer must verify you will be working as a CIP.
  • $325 for those working as clinical instructors.

 

Upcoming Dates

Cohort 12

Online modules open:
Jan. 11, 2027

Live Webinar Day 1:
Feb. 11, 2027
8:30am - 5pm

Live Webinar Day 2:
Feb. 12, 2027
8:30am - 5 pm

16-hour Shadow:
Feb. 13 - Apr. 1, 2027

Webinar Day 3:
Apr. 2, 2027
8:30am - 12pm

Cohort 13

Online modules open:
July 1, 2027

Live Webinar Day 1:
Aug. 5, 2027
8:30am - 5pm

Live Webinar Day 2:
Aug. 6, 2027
8:30am - 5 pm

16-hour Shadow:
Aug. 7 - Sept. 16, 2027

Webinar Day 3:
Sept. 17, 2027
8:30am - 12pm

Cohort 14

Online modules open:
Sept. 7, 2027

Live Webinar Day 1:
Oct. 7, 2027
8:30am - 5pm

Live Webinar Day 2:
Oct. 8, 2027
8:30am - 5 pm

16-hour Shadow:
Oct. 9 - Nov. 11, 2027

Webinar Day 3:
Nov. 12, 2027
8:30am - 12pm

Course Agenda

Online Learning Modules

Complete foundational coursework at your own pace, covering:

Transitioning into the clinical instructor role
Adult teaching and learning principles
Working with diverse and multigenerational learners
Creating a culture of civility and safety		 Clinical evaluation strategies
Developing clinical judgment
Evidence-based practice in clinical education
Educational technology tools


Live Webinar Day 1

Explore key concepts in clinical instruction, including:

  • CIP program orientation and socialization
  • Curriculum design: connecting classroom learning to clinical practice
  • Evaluating student performance
  • Strategies for promoting clinical judgment
  • Legal considerations in clinical teaching


Live Webinar Day 2

Apply what you've learned through practical discussions and real-world examples:

  • Clinical instruction essentials: the nuts and bolts of teaching
  • Insights from experienced CIP graduates
  • Clinical teaching scenarios and case discussions


Shadow Experience

Gain hands-on experience by: Shadowing an experienced clinical instructor for 16 hours & observing effective teaching and student engagement techniques in practice


Live Webinar Day 3

Reflect on your experience and learn from experts:

  • Shadow experience debrief

  • Interactive nurse educator expert panel


Please contact clinical_instructor_partnership@groups.ncahec.net if you have any questions! 

 

 
"The Nursing Clinical Instructor Partner Program has been an excellent learning experience. The sessions are engaging, well-paced, and highly interactive. I have been impressed by the level of participation in the live discussions and the program's ability to address key concepts while encouraging critical thinking through challenging real-world scenarios. This program has been incredibly helpful in strengthening my clinical instruction skills."

Tammy Haley, PhD, RN, CNE
-Appalachian State University		  

 

CIP Partners Area L AHEC

Area L AHEC

School | Practice
Barton College |  UNC Nash Specialty Care
East Carolina College of Nursing | UNC Health Nash
Halifax Community College | East Carolina University Health North
Halifax Community College | UNC Health Nash
Nash Community College | Nash UNC Health Care

South East AHEC

School | Practice
Southeastern Community College | Columbus Regional Healthcare System
Brunswick Community College | Novant Health (Building FY27)

Eastern AHEC

School | Practice
Beaufort Community College | East Carolina Health Hospitals
Carteret Community College  | Carolina East Medical Center & Carteret Regional
Craven Community College | Carolina East Medical Center
East Carolina College of Nursing | East Carolina Health
Pitt Community College | East Carolina Health Hospitals
Wayne Community College | UNC Health Wayne
East Carolina University Bridge Program: CIP to MSN in Nursing Education

South Piedmont AHEC

School | Practice
Carolinas College of Health Sciences | Atrium Health
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences | Atrium Health
Gaston College |  CaroMont Health
Gaston College | Atrium Health Lincoln
Queens University  | Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center
UNC-Charlotte | Advocate Health
UNC-Charlotte | Novant Health
Wingate University | FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital (Building FY27)
UNC- Charlotte Bridge Program: CIP to MSN in Nursing Education

Mountain AHEC

School | Practice
Blue Ridge Community College | Mission Health
Southwestern Community College | Highlands-Cashiers Hospital
Western Carolina University  | Cherokee Indian Hospital
Western Carolina University Bridge Program: CIP to MSN Nursing Education

Southern Regional AHEC

School | Practice
Fayetteville State University | Cape Fear Valley Health System
Methodist University |  Cape Fear Valley Hospital

 

Northwest AHEC

School | Practice
Appalachian State University | Hugh Chatham Health
Caldwell Community College | UNC-Health Caldwell
Catawba Valley Community College | Catawba Valley Medical Center
Davidson Davie Community College | Novant Health
Forsyth Tech Community College | Novant Health
Winston Salem State University | Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist
Appalachian State University Bridge Program: CIP to MSN in Nursing Education
Winston Salem State University Bridge Program: CIP to MSN in Nursing Education

Wake AHEC

School | Practice
Durham Technical Community College  |  Duke University Health System
North Carolina Central University  | UNC Health Care
North Carolina Central University | WakeMed

 

Piedmont AHEC

School | Practice
Alamance Community College | Novant Health
High Point University | Novant Health (Building FY27)
NC A&T | Novant Health (Building FY27)
UNC-Chapel Hill | UNC Medical Center
UNC-Greensboro | Cone Health
UNC-Greensboro | Novant Health