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Clinical instructors help expand nursing education and strengthen Ohio’s future workforce
Preparing the next generation of nurses takes more than classrooms and simulation labs — it requires experienced nurses willing to mentor, teach and inspire students as they transition from the classroom to patient care.
Through a partnership between The Ohio State University College of Nursing and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, dedicated clinical instructors are helping expand clinical education opportunities for Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students while addressing one of the biggest barriers to growing the nursing workforce.
As the need for BSN-prepared nurses continues to grow, expanding high-quality clinical education is essential. Clinical instructors make those experiences possible by guiding students through patient care, helping them build confidence, strengthen clinical judgment, and develop the skills needed to thrive in today's complex healthcare environment.
Ohio State’s partnership offers an innovative solution. Clinical instructors employed by the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center continue practicing as registered nurses while also mentoring and supervising BSN students during their clinical experiences. Their expertise helps bridge classroom learning with patient care, giving students the confidence and clinical judgment they need to succeed as future nurses.
"Clinical education is where students transform knowledge into practice," said Wendy Bowles, PhD, APRN-CNP, CNE, associate dean for baccalaureate programs. "By investing in dedicated clinical instructors, we're expanding opportunities for students to learn from experienced nurses while strengthening the future healthcare workforce."
For Dan Thorward, RN, becoming a clinical instructor was a natural extension of a career built on caring for others.
“I like being able to have a role where I can take the things that I've learned from people who have mentored me and pass that on to the next generation," Thorward said. "Ohio State gives you an opportunity to teach and learn in an environment where you get to practice at the highest level of nursing.”
Working alongside students at the bedside allows clinical instructors to teach far more than technical skills. They model critical thinking, communication, collaboration and compassion that define exceptional nursing care.
"When you choose to become a nurse, there's no real limit to what you can do," Thorward said. "That's why I made it my career."
Every clinical experience represents a connection between an experienced nurse and a future nurse. Through mentorship, encouragement and shared expertise, clinical instructors help students become confident nurses who are prepared to care for patients, lead teams and improve the health of their communities.
The partnership between the College of Nursing and the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center continues to expand opportunities for students to learn from expert clinicians in real-world settings. Together, they are preparing more Buckeye nurses to meet the evolving needs of patients and communities across Ohio and beyond.
Behind every future nurse is someone who believed in them first. For countless Buckeye nursing students that someone is a clinical instructor whose mentorship will shape not only their education, but the care they provide throughout their careers.
