In December 2017, I graduated with my AS in Nursing. 5 years later, I am teaching at the same place where I was a student. There are pros and cons of being a young instructor. It is nice to be able to remember how students are feeling at this stage in their nursing career, however, it is difficult for me and students alike to keep the boundary between a friendship vs. a professional student-teacher relationship… especially considering we are either the same age or I am much younger than the students I am teaching.
Teaching content I practice to a student is a lot different than precepting a new grad nurse. What comes naturally now has to be put into words and create a fine balance between explaining in lay man’s terms to keeping medical terminology.
All that being said, I relate to Benner’s theory of nursing competence. As my students travel from novice to beginner to competent nurses, I am traveling that same continuum as an instructor.
What I have learned in my first year of teaching:
- There are tiers of instructors.. A Nursing Instructor is different than a Professor of Nursing.. there are many years of tenure and expertise to acheive that title
- All students must be treated equal. This may sound obvious, however this rule applies in situations that you may not realize. One student or one problem that arises can cause policies to be created that may seem harsh or controlling.. (i.e not allowing Zoom links even when sick with Covid, strict uniform guidelines (buttons not zippers), no recording). There is a reason.
- Accrediting bodies like TJC do not go away
- If it isn’t documented, it’s not done still applies
- A 2 hour lecture can take a full 8 hour day to create
- There is a serious art to test writing- Nursing Process, Clinical Judgement, Maslow’s, distractors.. Oh, my
- Managing a classroom while lecturing is very challenging.. Remembering what you said, advancing the PPT, checking the Zoom room, answering questions, keeping students engaged
I LOVE active learning - Incorporating an extra class activity involves many members of faculty
- What is best for the students is not always what makes them happiest
- It is okay to not know the answer- Nursing is always changing
I have learned so much already and love my new job. Being a part of a student’s nursing journey is so rewarding.
Until next shift,
Shania
