In-house Faculty Development Training started at the first two target nursing colleges

In-house Faculty Development (FD)^*1 training commenced in May 2024 at the first two target nursing colleges: College of Nursing, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar (CONSBN), and Mymensingh Nursing College (MNC).

The training aims to enable nursing colleges to independently prepare and conduct FD training tailored to their internal needs. This involves creating an annual training plan with Master Trainers (MTs), whom the project started to train in February 2024, and committees in the nursing colleges taking the lead. The planning process was conducted in collaboration with project experts, ensuring alignment with the academic calendar and annual training plan. Although the MTs of the first two target nursing colleges played a leading role in planning and organizing the training, the MTs of all the target nursing colleges also participated and learned how to organize the training to develop in-house FD training at their nursing colleges in the future.

The training at CONSBN took place on May 14, with 56 participants, including 45 CONSBN faculty members, 2 CONSBN MTs, CONSBN principal, and MTs from the target Nursing Colleges in Gazipur, Sylhet, and Barisal), 3 MTs from Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, and 2 MNC MTs. MNC’s training was implemented on June 5, with 34 participants, comprising 22 MNC faculty members, 2 MNC MTs, MNC principal, and MTs from the target Nursing Colleges in Chattogram, Rajshahi, and Rangpur), 2 CONSBN MTs, 3 MTs and the deputy nursing superintendent from Mymensingh Medical College Hospital.

Session 1 introduced the FD concept, with lectures from the project side. It covered a brief project overview, the concept of regular, autonomous FD training, Continuous Professional Development (CPD), and its relevance to college accreditation criteria.

In Session 2, MTs of the first two target colleges led a lecture on improving nursing skills through lab lessons. Participants then split into groups to create and present lesson plans for these lab lessons. The session was highly interactive, with valuable input from hospital MTs. The average pre-and post-test scores of participants from both colleges showed a significant improvement, from 5.58 to 7.93 out of 10, indicating a 23% increase.

The afternoon session focused on further understanding of the concept and significance of conducting FD training. MTs and principal from each college shared their initiatives and innovations in annual training plans. Participants commented that they would like to provide the lesson plan format used in this group work to faculty members who were unable to participate this time and support them in using it in their classes. The participants also introduced initiatives at colleges that already provide training on lesson planning by subject for teachers on campus. These reflections proved to be a great stimulus for mutual learning and discussion of FD training at each college in the future.

The project will continue to support and monitor the implementation of in-house FD training at each nursing college, aiming to enhance the quality of nursing education.

*1 Faculty Development (FD): Practical methods for developing the teaching skills of college and university teachers. Institutional initiatives to encourage teachers to improve and enhance the content and methodology of their teaching.