Preparing nurse educators in the country of Georgia

This article describes a formal nurse educator train-the-trainer program initiated to educate qualified health professionals to teach contemporary nursing continuing education in the country of Georgia, formerly part of the Soviet Union. A 3-month intensive train-the-trainer program model was used to educate potential nurse educators to provide a foundation for introducing a higher level of continuing education to practicing nurses in Georgia. After the potential nurse educator candidates were interviewed and hired, they were required to attend at least 90% of the classes, achieve a score of 85% or higher on all train-the-trainer class posttests, and achieve a score of 90% or higher on the final examination. Sixteen of 17 nurse educators, who were physicians and nurses, successfully completed the program. These graduate nurse educators subsequently conducted formal continuing education for more than 2,900 practicing nurses, with a goal of implementing a baccalaureate nursing program as well. This program established a foundation for further nurse educator development and improvement in continuing education for currently practicing nurses in the country of Georgia.