Educator or Counselor? Navigating Uncertain Boundaries in the Clinical Environment

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Clinical Psychology
• Professional Boundaries

Background:

• Nurse educators in clinical settings encounter unique challenges when supporting undergraduate students.
• A significant challenge involves intervening with students experiencing emotional distress.
• The need to differentiate between educational support and counseling is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how nurse educators navigate the complex boundary between their educational role and the counseling role.
• To provide guidance for nurse educators managing students with emotional distress in clinical environments.

Main Methods:

• A review of existing literature on professional boundaries in nursing.
• Presentation of two case studies illustrating the transition from educator to counselor.
• Discussion of future directions for nurse educators.

Main Results:

• Limited existing research specifically addresses nurse educators' navigation of educator-counselor boundaries with students.
• Case studies highlight the subtle indicators that support may be shifting into counseling.

Conclusions:

• Establishing and maintaining boundaries between educating and counseling is a significant challenge for nurse educators.
• Clearer guidelines and support are needed for nurse educators managing emotionally distressed students in clinical settings.