Clinical nursing instructors (CNIs) play a crucial role in preparing nursing students for their future careers, and Brock researcher Farhana Madhani says her research shows some novice CNIs need more support as they prepare to supervise students in clinical courses.

The Assistant Professor of Nursing is working to close this gap.

Madhani was recently named one of Brock University’s 2025 Chancellor’s Chair for Teaching Excellence recipients for her exceptional commitment to student learning. Her research concentrates on nursing education, with a focus on clinical teaching, and promoting mental health.

The grant will allow her to launch the next phase of her ongoing project, “Enhancing clinical teaching through a multimodal orientation and mentorship approach.”

“This award highlights the importance of supporting CNIs, who play such a critical role in preparing the next generation of nurses,” she said.

The first phase of the project was supported by a Brock Research Enterprise Exchange Grant.

During phase one, Madhani collaborated with the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation to develop an online orientation module — featuring videos, interactive tools and quizzes — that equips CNIs with the knowledge, skills and confidence to effectively support nursing students. Participants earn a certificate upon completing the module.

“I want to help improve the learning experience for nursing students — helping both CNIs and students thrive in clinical settings,” she said.

The Chancellor’s Chair grant will allow Madhani to launch the next phase: pairing new CNIs with experienced mentors and allowing time for them to explore the learning opportunities for students in clinical units before they supervise.

Future phases include a scoping review on integrating equity, diversity and inclusion principles into clinical teaching, along with pre- and post-program assessments to measure its impact.

While her current project is focused on Brock’s Nursing programs, Madhani hopes her work can be replicated to support CNIs and students across the province.

To help address the shortage of nurses in Ontario, standardized orientations for CNIs could strengthen training consistency and expand capacity in nursing schools, Madhani says.

“CNIs directly shape nursing students’ ability to translate theory into patient care,” she said.

Madhani was inspired to pursue research on clinical teaching by her extensive experience working at educational institutions where course instructors also supervised nursing students in their clinical placements.

She came to Brock in 2022 with more than 15 years of nursing teaching experience at Aga Khan University. She has also held sessional teaching roles at other post-secondary institutions in Canada.