Book excerpt: Research shows that the sharing of personal, first-hand stories not only enhances learning and eases the transition to a new role, but also helps novice educators to understand that their challenges are shared by others. With the goal of improving the experience of nurses transitioning from clinician to educator, in hospitals as well as schools of nursing, this unique book presents the stories of nurses who made this transition. It presents the findings of several qualitative studies addressing the question, ìWhat is the lived experience of clinicians as they assume new roles as clinical nurse educators?î These narratives describe the challenges they faced and transformations in each nurseís identity and relationships during the transition process. The text includes recommendations from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and specific problem-solving strategies that have worked for others. The narratives are from nurse clinicians, nurse educators, and students who provide insights into such common dilemmas faced by novice educators as ìHow do I keep a patient safe while allowing the student nurse to practice a skill for the first time?î ìIf a student is slow to catch on to a procedure, how long do I wait before they fail?î ìHow do I help provide a safe and effective learning environment for new graduate nurses?î The book includes stories of students who describe caring and uncaring experiences with clinical nurse educators. Stories address cultural diversity, bullying, and dilemmas related to critical and ethical thinking. Nurse educators themselves share insights into what they wish they had done differently to guide students and new graduate nurses in their learning. While these storytellers had diverse clinical and educational backgrounds, there were consistent similarities between the experiences they described. One common thread was the need to embrace the role of a novice in order to succeed. The book will serve as a valuable text for graduate students in nurse educator courses as well as students and nurses seeking support, insight, and inspiration in their transition to the clinical nurse educator role. Key Features: Presents experiential narratives from nurses who made the transition from clinician to educator Describes important aspects of a nurseís transition from the role of clinical expert to that of novice educator Includes research-based insights in a highly accessible style and format Integrates National League for Nursing Core Competencies into the text Provides inspiring, helpful, and comforting guidance for nurse clinicians feeling lost or confused in a new role