Determining roles and best practices when using academic coaches in online learning

Abstract

IntroductionAs the need for more BSN-prepared nurses continues to grow, so does the impact of online learning as a higher education delivery model. One of the challenges in meeting the demand for more BSN prepared nurses is the nursing faculty shortage. Another challenge is nursing faculty trained in the delivery of online education. One strategy to adequately meet the needs of this growing online student population is the use of academic coaches. MethodsA qualitative exploratory methodology was used to acquire insight related to the use of academic coaches in online nursing classrooms and how they were used in similar programs. ResultsAll participant programs utilize 7-week accelerated sessions in online classrooms. The four emerging themes of (1) overall expectations, (2) onboarding and orientation, (3) academic coach oversight and the use of (4) best practices demonstrated how the role of academic coaches was operationalized in online classrooms. DiscussionOverall, the programs utilized academic coaches similarly. Well defined communication strategies are necessary for the academic coach model to be effective.