Desired Characteristics of Effective Nurse Educators - My Ideal Nursing Instructor
As nurse faculty, we constantly strive to be the most effective instructors that we can be. The effective nurse educator, whether operating in the clinical setting or classroom, must demonstrate astute interpersonal skills, clinical competency, professionalism, and an understanding of the principles of adult learning.
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Consumer satisfaction is becoming increasingly important in institutes of higher learning. In order to be more accountable to taxpayers and politicians, scarce educational funds are being linked to optimal performance and outcomes. A pivotal factor for student success is the teacher's interpersonal and instructional abilities. Therefore, faculty pay raises, retention, promotion, and tenure are often tied into student evaluation scores on teaching effectiveness.
What characteristics of nursing instructors do learners consider ideal or most helpful to their success as nursing students? The following desirable educator attributes have been gleaned from a literature search:
Instructional ability/ communication skills
communicates effectively; breaks down content in a down-to-earth manner
provides timely, constructive, and specific feedback
gives tests that reflect course objectives, lecture materials, and study guides
Faculty should be receptive to student ratings and comments in end-of-semester evaluations. Student feedback is critical to improving the course and instructor effectiveness. research indicates that student suggestions regarding teaching style, course design, and delivery of material in the classroom or clinical settings are usually valid and should not be discounted. Criticism involving other matters, such as the instructor's knowledge base, may not be as accurate.
Nurse faculty should seek to be positive role models for students and should establish a relationship of mutual respect. Although high standards must be upheld and difficult situations occasionally arise, educators should be tolerant of minor student inadequacies and sensitive to student anxieties. Faculty should attempt to understand learners' fears and stressors and truly care about the students.
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