A Handbook for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Enhancing academic and Practice

Nursing and midwifery
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role encompasses that of mentor and sign-off mentor and, additionally, coordinating a
group of mentors and student experiences.
Practice facilitators/educators
Practice educators are practitioners employed by NHS trusts and/or universities. The
intention is that the practice educator is both clinically competent and familiar with
students’ educational programmes. The role is focused upon the theory–practice link and
learning from practice experiences. Practice educators support both students and mentors
and maintain close contact with the university staff responsible for managing and
developing practice placements.
Lecturer practitioner
Lecturer practitioner roles are a combination of the practice educator and traditional
lecturer role. They were developed as a link between trusts and universities and were seen
as a useful ‘stepping stone’ for those who wished to move from practice into education.
Many found the breadth and conflicting demands of the lecturer practitioner role difficult
to manage and these positions are less popular than they once were.
Lecturers/tutors
University lecturers have multifaceted roles. For example, they deliver the theory-based
teaching and assessment in students’ programmes and relate this to practice. They link
with service delivery settings, supporting students, mentors and their line managers,
and supporting practice development. Lecturers act as personal tutors to students.
They also engage in curriculum development, scholarship and research. Most lecturers
in schools of nursing and midwifery are nurses or midwives, but lecturers from
other disciplines are also employed to provide complementary expertise and alternative
perspectives.
University-based specialist learning services
An increasing range of specialist posts that support student learning are emerging
(see Chapter 9). These include library staff with expertise to support PBL/EBL, technology
(IT) and media resources staff who help students harness the power of newer
technologies, and tutors offering language and learning skills support. Actors, artists,
poets or writers in residence are increasingly employed to improve the quality of student
learning.