Student wants advice about professor from Nurse Educatiors

I will agree with several of the other posts. I think I would add that there needs to be student engagement in the class. While I agree that this is college and the material needs to be learned, by the students in the class, I do believe that there is a need to help make the material somewhat interesting and provide detailed information on the concepts (such as acid/base) that can be difficult to conceptualize.

You mention several times that you have a couple class members that have previous degrees at the masters and doctoral level. This is really irrelevant. Nursing school is unlike any other education you will receive at any point in your life. You are being prepared to take a national licensure examination that covers an amazing amount of information. In addition, the test is designed to target your weakness. Understanding the material for each class is the total responsibility of the studnet. Mostly because the student will be the one taking the NCLEX - not the instructor.

I think my overall suggestion would be to make sure you are reading the chapters prior to your lecture. Highlight the concepts that you do not understand so you can target these in class with questions. If the instructor does not proviede you with the information necessary in class to understand the concept, make an appointment with her to go over the concepts that are difficult.

I think meeting with her and telling her that her lectures are to fast will do little to solve the issue. Remember - she is required to cover a lot of material in a short semester.

Best wishes and I hope it all works out for you.

Have you considered a program like microsoft one note or a livescribe pen? There are many threads on this site about both. You can record (with permission) the lecture, and fill in your notes later with the fine points. If you know you will be covering acid base balance, for example, I would summarize the chapter in my own words before coming to class. You could then use class time to gain further information.

I agree, you can ask for these things, but a few things make me curious- you mention that she states it is in the book. Have you read the readings prior to class?

Also, consider other resources such as Pathophysiology made incredibly easy and Pathophysiology made incredibly visual. Both provide good basic summaries.

Wow- She is only 25 and already teaching pathophysiology?! That was the hardest subject in nursing school for me. I remember learning nothing from the book but had a truly wonderful pathophys instructor with years of critical care experience.

I agree that 2 of you need to approach her and explain how hard it is for you to follow in class.

Also things that can help:

-Form study groups: they are SO helpful, even weekly study groups to discuss that week's lecture, and form questions to ask the teacher.

-See her during her office hours to clarify points in class you didn't understand.

-Check out books about pathophysiology at the bookstore/library; the Nursing Made Incredibly Easy series really helped me a lot through pathophysiology.

How are you all doing? I have a suggestion to add-- check out the online resources that come with the textbook. I believe that these are often under utilized. Good luck!

I agree with the other teachers who have posted. There are many ways to approach this issue. Taping is a good idea, especially with her talking fast! We have a lot to say and so little time!
Also, try making your own topical outline when you are preparing for the next lecture, leave room for notes. Write questions in the margins of your notes about areas you find challenging, and ask at the end of class.
Also make an appt. with the instructor to discuss concepts that you don't understand. I know that I would rather a student come to my office and let me help him/her instead of taking up classtime, especially if others are not seeming to have the same questions.
Just because someone has a Master's degree or a PhD in another field does not mean that they have any more insight into the class you are taking than someone without a degree. It just means that they may also be learning the new language of science as well.
Show your teacher that you are prepared, and not just expecting her to spoonfeed you. I know that I appreciate it when students come to me with specific questions, and not just wanting the whole lecture repeated.
The class you are taking is challenging, and I wish you the best of luck!

This is a great discussion. I agree with the suggestion that reading the material prior to lecture will help you leaps and bounds in absorbing the lecture and also in your ability to ask intelligent questions during the lecture. A great lecture should enrich the students learning; however, it has been my experience that there is simply too much material in nursing curricula to expect that it can all be covered in lecture. Additionally, the material, as voluminous and complex as it is, will only be meaningful to those who apply themselves to studying the vast majority of time they are in nursing school. I become increasingly frustrated with my clinical students who require the same explanation about a drug class or action week after week. Many have cited that their lecture content was insufficient. I am firm in my belief that nursing school should truly prepare nurses to safely care for patients, think for themselves, and also to identify students who have the self-discipline to facilitate their own learning. Hearing in lecture about the sympathetic nervous system and the associated pharmacology is only a drop in the bucket in terms of being able to apply the knowledge to the clinical setting which is really the point anyway. Students will need to review this material on their own as many times as it takes to gain a firm understanding. You have an awesome responsibility as a nurse to be sharp in your skills and knowledge and ready to deal with an increasingly complex clinical picture. Always remember that your patients are counting on you and it matters very little whether or not your lecture prepared you.

I often tell my students that I am not preparing them to pass the boards or make an A on a nursing exam, although I will go to the ends of the earth to help them in any way I can. I share with them that I am preparing them to safely care for their patients. This is infinitely more important than passing the boards. Additionally, self-discipline, when embraced, will make you an amazing nurse in the future. Let me give you an example, I live in Georgia where nurses are not required to maintain any continuing education for their licensure. What this means is that aside from the yearly continuing education required at each individual facility, it is only the self-motivated and "interested" nurse who will continue to grow in terms of his or her knowledge. Let's be honest here, CEUs can be challenging or simply a means to an end. It is up to the individual nurse. In a rapidly changing healthcare environment, nurses must be willing to adopt a attitude of professional performance improvement and to seek out opportunities to enhance their knowledge-base.

Alas, if you are uncomfortable with any of the lecture content and need further explanation, always feel free to hit me up!

I LOVE nursing students!

Tabitha

all the info above is good, but FYI: you will not learn A&P in a lecture hall. You need to read and find other resources, like an anatomy coloring book, to get it all. And do not abuse your lab time. Stay and ask questions of each other and of that instructor (hopefully, a different person). Lab is usually more relaxed. My instructor would write the lab assignment on the board and when you were done you could leave. After the room cleared out he would THEN start talking and talking and talking. Don't leave early