Those who can't...teach...your thoughts?

No, absolutely not. In fact, I hate that saying. I think it is filled with disdain for those who choose the teaching profession. Without teachers, where would we be? Teaching is a noble profession. Teachers deserve our respect and our support.

The question is subjective. The OP asked what do you think of the term, "Those who can't...teach." I agree in part and disagree in part. I have seen good clinical instructors and good faculty and I have seen bad faculty. I don't have to back that up, its my opinion.

If you are asking me how I came to that conclusion, its based on my experience and on practical matters. Why do some people move on to a job that pays roughly half of what they used to make is an example of a practical question that suggests that there exist a variety of motivators at work.

I agree that getting to the point where there is no personal satisfaction or growth in your career is a reason to leave nursing. I frankly wish people who feel that way would not teach. Their last memories of nursing are not positive and it shows.

In terms of my idea that "unsuccessful" people tend to cast about life looking for something that fits them, this is just something I have seen in all walks of life. They are usually generally negative and tend to blame every personal failure on other people (including students if given a reason to). There is nothing in that statement that is shocking or frankly, original.

I didn't generalize. In fact, I specifically said that they differ from people who moved on to another opportunity for other reasons. You can differentiate between them quite easily. (Although it appears that you think I implied that I think all nursing instructors are unsuccessful nurses. My apologies for not being more clear.)

Two of my nursing instructors got free rides to get their PhDs, even got paid. I was sad to see them go because they were the best instructors I ever had; but I knew they were only going to better their skills and reach more people. Even though you are doing a great service to your clinical students, don't let that hold you back from advancing your career, bettering yourself, and reaching more people. Many masters degree programs still let you work part time (I am looking into UCSFs distance learning CNM program in a few years down the road and I can still work full time) Go forth!

Those who can't.... make up dumb sayings?

I only had one instructor whos shouldn't have been in the clinical setting, but for the rest of the instructors, I would have to disagree with the thought. In some circumstances, I can totally agree with this presumption.

I know of two (Phd prepped) who couldn't do. I wouldn't let them near a stuffed animal.
But they were walking encyclopedias.

As a nurse educator, I am of course biased but here is my opinion.
I worked and still work in the ICU. I loved it and still do. I first came to teaching as I realized that while many of my peers did not like having students or orientees, I loved it. It gave me a fresh perspective; a new point of view. It forces you to verbalize what you are doing and why. You must constantly review new evidence to keep your practice current. To me, this constant stimulation of a desire to learn is my favorite part about nursing in general, and education in particular.

I still work regularly on the floor. I can't imagine trying to teach a subject without recent experience in that clinical area. It would be very difficult if not impossible. Care and technology changes so rapidly, as do supplies.

I think much of the drama originates from a few key points: many educators are trained nurses, NOT trained teachers. I received very little "hands on" training in how to become a good educator. I learned from watching my ideal role models, and often, those who were not good teachers. I constantly read journals, student feedback, and modify as needed to improve and communicate better with my students. I am not an expert yet. I have only been teaching a few years. I hope to develop my skills over time, just as I did in clinical nursing.

Another issue: many people think being an educator is not being a "real" nurse. It is. Not only do I still practice at the bedside, but I continue to interact with patients in clinicals, performing the exact same skills and assessments that I did with my own patient load, only now I supervise 10 students, often with several patients each. I have to always ensure that I know exactly what is happening with their patient's care at all times.

Also, there is the dilemma of time. I laugh a little mirthlessly when people ask if I love having every weekend, evening, holiday and summer off. I don't actually have them off in most cases. I am constantly either working in the clinical setting or trying to improve my courses and teaching delivery. It is difficult to maintain expertise in both teaching and in two content and clinical areas at one time.

Teaching is a team effort. It requires the caring and expertise of excellent faculty and of excellent clinical nursing staff. One can't really do the best job of teaching future nurses without the other. There are only so many hours in a week, and although I have years of experience, it is not the same as the nurse who works 36-48 hours each week in that specialty. I can only manage 12 hours weekly as I am also pursuing my doctorate and working full time as an educator.

I love my job and my students. I put so many hours of thought and effort into every learning experience. Like any job, there are times when you wonder if all the effort is worth it and become frustrated. There are times when you watch a student struggle, then the lightbulb comes on for them, and they begin to gain confidence. These times, when your realize that you are a small part of sending someone out into the world who can reach thousands as a nurse, are the most amazing. I have a quote I like that says "Example is not the most important thing in influencing others, it is the only thing." I hope to be a good example to my students of compassion, solid knowledge base, and clinical experience. I definitely fall short at times, but I never stop trying.

I have worked in numerous areas of Nursing and have been decent in all of them. Just because someone has a varied background, does not mean he or she is unsuccessful. Some people get bored easily, some love to learn new things, some need new challenges and grab life by the horns, taking opportunities to expand their repertoire. I'm glad that you do acknowledge that. I'm not sure how you can tell just from voice tone which is the case - incompetence or zest for life. Maybe the key is "seem". Things are not always what they seem to be.

Some people love their work until a new boss or condition arises, maybe in their personal lives. Sickness, deaths of loved ones, other adversities - all can put the light out in someone's heart/eyes/voice.

It's always bad when a teacher can't reach a student or when a student expects or needs something of a teacher that is very different from what the teacher expects and can give. There are mismatches like that. And not everyone can teach. Also, there are so many learning disabilities and so many personalities among students that it is not at all surprising that sometimes mismatches occur. Having taught, I was discouraged and aggravated by the some students I encountered. They didn't believe in attending regularly, coming on time when they did attend, pre-reading, following the dress code, preparing for clinical the night before, and so on. And if you knew the support I did not get from bosses, you would understand better how tough it is to teach and be a great teacher for all students. I had one student who didn't think she needed to learn math and could rely on Pharmacy for dosage calculations. I had to point out that she might work somewhere without 24/7 pharmacy presence, she might work in an area that cooks its own drips, or she might not always have the exact dose she needs. OK, she was a student, she was naive, she is now a great nursing math nurse in ICU. But at the time, she really startled and scared me with that question. I had my work cut out for me. This whole teacher-student works both ways.

Well, not all instructors are created equally. Yes, some are just meant to teach and then you will find the ones that are really not that great! I invited my high school teacher to my nursing school graduation because she had such a huge impact on me. So that really says a lot about teachers.