Teaching is a complex act that requires the integration of many skills. When educating nursing students, a balance is needed between the knowledge obtained in theory class and application ofthat knowledge in the clinical setting. Clinical teaching is even more complex than traditional didactic instruction because ofthe increased responsibility for patient safety as well as student learning. Unlike traditional teaching, learning does not happen in the classroom, but instead happens in a health care facility. A nursing instructor is the person who prepares aspiring nurses for their careers. He teaches the principals of nursing to students in classrooms, clinics, private health facilities and community centers. Aside from lecturing, the instructor may also direct educational seminars and supervise nursing students in laboratory procedures. In a variety of medical environments, he normally monitors their performance and evaluates their patient communication skills.