Support Teaching & Learning Activities for Family Nurse Practitioners
Eligibility
Open to all RPCVs
Activity/project background
Partner: Department of General Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eswatini (Government)
The master’s in nursing science, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program is a three-year part-time program in Eswatini that was started in 2017 with the assistance of Peace Corps Volunteers. The volunteers were involved in shaping the curricula and teaching of FNP-specific courses. Students are enrolled in the FNP program in cohorts at varying stages of progress. Cohort 5 and 6 are on course work and are taking FNP-specific courses such as pathophysiology, seminar, and advanced health assessment. Courses in the FNP program are taught by PhD-prepared faculty in the Faculty of Health Sciences, yet clinical courses must be co-taught by a qualified FNP instructor to meet international standards for advanced practice nursing education. Currently the PhD faculty that teach these cohorts do not have FNP qualifications.
The university is requesting two Virtual Service Pilot Participants (VSPPs) with FNP experience to help support the PhD faculty that teach Cohorts 5 and 6 who are without FNP qualifications. The VSPPs can be of great assistance in delivering the FNP course through the online classes and seminars. Specifically, the VSPPs will support the following courses: Family Nurse Practice of the Adult and Elder, Advanced Health Assessment, and Clinical Internship. The Eswatini FNP students would benefit greatly from the expertise of Family Nurse Practitioner with advanced healthcare delivery systems experience from the United States.
The Department of General Nursing has previously worked with both Peace Corps Response Volunteer and a VSPP. The institution understands that the role of a VSPP is very different than a Response Volunteer.
Virtual service engagement and tasks
In the initial phase of the engagement, the VSPPs will work with the host country counterpart, to develop content, set up the online course, and get to know the students. It is envisioned that about 15 hours will be needed in the first few weeks for the initial phase. As teaching continues with the counterpart, time needed will be determined by the course requirements, work given to the students that would require grading and feedback as well as setting and administering tests. This assignment can be spread out evenly throughout the semester.
The VSPPs will collaborate with the Host Country Counterpart in the following tasks,
• Co-preparing and posting learning materials weekly for the duration of the semester
• Co-preparing assessments, tests, and examinations within the duration of the semester
• Grading student work and providing timely feedback
• Meet with students virtually (via video or in writing) for the purpose of clinical guidance
This engagement is expected to be approximately 27 weeks. VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5-15 hours per week.
Meetings between VSPPs and Host Country Counterparts will take place during normal office hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eswatini time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.
The Host Country Counterpart will have access to Zoom and WhatsApp for regular communication and collaboration.
Per the Child Protection Code of Conduct, when engaging online with minors (0-18), two adults must be present.
Optional additional activities
The Peace Corps mission is to promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three goals:
- To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
- To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
- To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
Goal 1 will be achieved through the VSPP's engagement and completion of the above tasks. The counterpart and VSPP may also choose to identify an activity that aligns with Goal 2. Additionally, the VSPP may identify a Goal 3 activity to implement during their engagement. See recommendations and tools for Goal 3 activities.
Essential qualifications
Education: Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner or Masters-level Family Nurse Practitioner
Experience
• 2 years’ experience in teaching at higher education institution
• 2 years’ experience working as an FNP in a clinical setting
• 2 years’ experience in mentoring FNP students in clinical placement (preceptorship)
Licensure Requirement: Registered Nurse (Current US Nursing Licensure is required, Eswatini licensure will be required if selected)
Intercultural skills and motivation: Flexible, strong cross-cultural agility, high tolerance for ambiguity, able to work independently, resourceful, creative, and genuinely motivated and capable to serve virtually
Desired qualifications
Education: PhD in Nursing
Technical Skills:
• Familiarity with virtual engagement and communication
• Comfort and skill with teaching using the online platform Moodle and the digital modalities of communication to interact with students and the counterpart
Experience: Familiarity with health care systems in a resource-constrained setting
Terms and conditions of engagement
VSPPs will be engaging with the host country partner, in coordination with Peace Corps post staff, remotely from the US. They should have access to a computer, internet, and telephone in order to enable direct engagement with the Peace Corps overseas office and the Host Country Counterpart assigned by the host country partner.
Orientation with the host country partner will be provided, within the designated virtual service hours, during the first week of virtual service via an online presentation and discussion. The host country partner will provide an overview of its organization, the local context, and how they envision collaborating with the VSPP.
The VSPP will have regular check-ins with their counterpart and bi-weekly check-ins with Peace Corps staff. Spending unstructured time with counterparts can be critical to relationship-building and is encouraged through activities such as coffee chats and informal calls within the weekly 5-15 hours.
Engagement-specific safety and security
The VSPP will receive an orientation on Peace Corps’ Child Protection Policy and how it relates to online engagement along with IT security best practices. The VSPP will be expected to follow safety and security guidelines for online engagement to ensure their safety and that of the Host Country Partner and their counterpart, and any beneficiaries of the engagement.
Supervision requirements
The VSPP will report to a designated Peace Corps staff member. The VSPP will be expected to abide by the Virtual Service Pilot Participant and Donation Agreement and Participant Principles of Engagement. The VSPP will also be expected to check in with the designated host country counterpart as assigned by the host county partner.
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