Any young nurse educators out there..

FNP/DNP · Feb 4, 2005

I am a young nurse educator, well under the age of 30, with a BSN program. I am currently enrolled in a NP program, and I never thought I wanted to teach.
My question is, are there any other educators my age out there, and if so how to you differentiate yourself from the students. Sometimes I feel that even though I am the professional, because of the age similarities students feel they can confide in me more. It is not an issue with their studies, they are performing well, but experienced older staff see me as too laid back and friendly.
Thanks for your time,
Emma

I am an early 30's nurse educator in a BSN and NP program. I think the biggest problem I have is with the patients on the floor asking me if I am one of the students or the instructor. I have a doctorate so we use the term "DR or Professor". I do think the students gravitate to those of us who are younger and that is natural. I also have a problem because I went through the program that I am now teaching in and the older faculty may not always see me as a colleague. That will take time. I have a lot to learn as well. I think older staff also see me as too laid back and friendly, but things are different now than they used to be. I think students learn from constructive criticism, not by fear. I try to put myself in their shoes- its scary starting out in the nursing profession.

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Feb 4, 2005

i am an early 30's nurse educator in a bsn and np program. i think the biggest problem i have is with the patients on the floor asking me if i am one of the students or the instructor.

that's funny (i'm sure not for you, though).

i do think the students gravitate to those of us who are younger and that is natural.

i would tend to think that would be the case. do students (esp. the older ones)grasp the concept that younger educators have more recent experience?? i'm not saying 'older' educators are not experienced, but let's face it: many have not practiced in a clinical setting for a long time (i know there are exceptions). some are not up-to-date with the latest practices, much less evidenced-based. when i was an undergrad, it was pretty obvious who still practiced, and who didn't.

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 4, 2005

I think older staff also see me as too laid back and friendly, but things are different now than they used to be. I think students learn from constructive criticism, not by fear. I try to put myself in their shoes- its scary starting out in the nursing profession.

I don't think showing respect for your teachers should necessarily be driven by fear. I think it is just common courtesy -- something our society in general needs a little more of.

llg

FNP/DNP · Feb 5, 2005

I don't think showing respect for your teachers should necessarily be driven by fear. I think it is just common courtesy -- something our society in general needs a little more of.
llg

I agree- some of the faculty where I teach are not gaining much respect though- just fear. But I could probably use a little more fear from my students. How do you find that happy medium?

For those of you who have been teaching awhile- are you seeing some generational changes? Less respect? More demanding students? I see the need for so much "spoon feeding". Have you noticed that?

llg, PhD, RN · Feb 5, 2005

I agree- some of the faculty where I teach are not gaining much respect though- just fear. But I could probably use a little more fear from my students. How do you find that happy medium?
For those of you who have been teaching awhile- are you seeing some generational changes? Less respect? More demanding students? I see the need for so much "spoon feeding". Have you noticed that?

This is llg. I am just using my home computer (and account) over the weekend.

The increased need for spoonfeeding is a major where I work (at a hospital in staff development). While there are some absolutely wonderful young nurses out there, we seem to be getting more and more who expect the world to revolve around them -- and many who do not take personal responsibility for the choices they make.

llg

LDMooreRN · Feb 7, 2005

Wow Mrs? I would have a very difficult time with that type of title as it seems artifical in the sense that you are using it to simply make yourself seem more mature and therefore worthy of the students respect.

I don't have them address me as "Mrs" to "make" myself seem more mature or worthy of their respect. I rely on my actions, knowledge base and the relationships I develop with my students to do that.

The Mrs. thing is what I prefer, simple as that. I tried the first name basis thing in the past and found that I like the Mrs title better. If you'd have a hard time with that, that's your preference. Just be respectful of mine.

LDMooreRN · Feb 7, 2005

One question about looking young then onto being a young educator. All of you early 30's lectures - how young do you look. I am 33 and don't think my 'look' has changed in ages (except for the extra padding), but I still have people thinking that I am in my 40's.

I am 30 years old and I'm often mistaken for a teenager. I've been told several times that I look about 17 or 18 years old. It can be quite disarming and even amusing when I walk into the classroom and the jaws drop when they realize I'm the teacher.

EmmaSwan47 · Feb 25, 2005

I am an early 30's nurse educator in a BSN and NP program. I think the biggest problem I have is with the patients on the floor asking me if I am one of the students or the instructor. I have a doctorate so we use the term "DR or Professor". I do think the students gravitate to those of us who are younger and that is natural. I also have a problem because I went through the program that I am now teaching in and the older faculty may not always see me as a colleague. That will take time. I have a lot to learn as well. I think older staff also see me as too laid back and friendly, but things are different now than they used to be. I think students learn from constructive criticism, not by fear. I try to put myself in their shoes- its scary starting out in the nursing profession.

Sounds like we have mahy things in common. I working with my clinical student this semester, I have had many patients ask me how old I am and am I really the instructor. On one hand, yes I look young, but it is still embarassing. I have 2 non-traditional older student out of my clinical group, and I have had no problem with them no respecting me. I feel that all of my student respect me because regardless of my age, I am still a nurse and for the time being I know more than they do. They may have book knowledge, but I have lived experience. I have beenn in healthcare for many years prior to being a nurse, so I usually try to avoid answering the direct question about how long I have been a licensed nurse. I usually say I have been in health care for nine years and then talk about the areas in health care I have worked. Most people have never questioned my credentials. I feel that if you appear to know what you are talking about, your age or your years of experience is not as issue to the students... now the other older instructors... that is another story.

I graduated from the same program that I now teach for, and the majority of the teachers are the same. I am also currently enrolled in the masters NP program at the same college that I teach for the undergrad, so you can see where that would be exciting. I will never forget going to the faculty meeting and a former undergrad instructor was speaking me as a colleage and then mentioned that she was teaching my grad class for the spring... its a fine line and it can be frustrating. For example, when I am on campus for classes I never come in non professional clothes, because I am always running into students... it just wouldnt look right if i was wearing sweatpants :)

Feel free to contact me any time... I could use some friends who are in the same situation that I am!

Emma

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · Feb 26, 2005

i also have a problem because i went through the program that i am now teaching in and the older faculty may not always see me as a colleague.

fnp (and emma too), how long ago did you guys graduate from the programs that you are teaching in? i ask this because i am going to be interviewing for an adjunct position at the school i graduated from. this is the only thing i keep thinking about. i'm not sure if this is an advantage, or a disadvantage. it is a very small school, where every teacher knew every student, but i graduated almost 11 years ago. i'm afraid (if they don't remember me) they'll be thinking 'what were you, six, when you were a student here' (i was 20 when i graduated). i'm not as fresh and young as i used to look, but i certainly haven't aged that much in the last 10 years. i was the youngest in the class, so that they may remember about me. i just think it's going to be weird sitting in a room with these people, not as a student!!

EmmaSwan47 · May 7, 2005

fnp (and emma too), how long ago did you guys graduate from the programs that you are teaching in? i ask this because i am going to be interviewing for an adjunct position at the school i graduated from. this is the only thing i keep thinking about. i'm not sure if this is an advantage, or a disadvantage. it is a very small school, where every teacher knew every student, but i graduated almost 11 years ago. i'm afraid (if they don't remember me) they'll be thinking 'what were you, six, when you were a student here' (i was 20 when i graduated). i'm not as fresh and young as i used to look, but i certainly haven't aged that much in the last 10 years. i was the youngest in the class, so that they may remember about me. i just think it's going to be weird sitting in a room with these people, not as a student!!

supringly, it hasnt been that difficult to adapt to being faculty where i graduated from. i only graduated 3 years ago, so all of the teachers are the same. thank goodness i made a good impression and i was a good student. some of the oldest faculty members do not act like they respect me, but then again some people are very helpful. it is also nice because everything that the students have been through, i have been through. i understand the program well because it has not changed much.

one thing i have noticed on here is when people are talking about mentorship. i do not know why, but i have not had anyone checking in on me at all. is that because they have confidence in me or what? i have a few fellow faculty that i am friendly with, but i am rarely asked about my classes. i wonder why this is?

hugs to all,

emma :balloons:

BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN · May 8, 2005

one thing i have noticed on here is when people are talking about mentorship. i do not know why, but i have not had anyone checking in on me at all. is that because they have confidence in me or what? i have a few fellow faculty that i am friendly with, but i am rarely asked about my classes. i wonder why this is?

that is something i must say, has gone pretty well for me. at least i think it has (compared to many others at other schools who were 'thrown to the wolves'). i had the opportunity to be 'precepted' for three clinical days, and i've had a decent amount of contact in the other days with the other instructors. the faculty did the student evaluations as a team (it is a team teaching approach). i got a lot of feedback and tips (after giving some anecdotes that i experienced with the students). four of the instructors were there when i was a student- the rest are new since. one of them was extrmely helpful and gave me some extra pointers. i feel pretty comfortable there so far. and, best of all, i received pretty decent evals from the students!!! :balloons: :bow: (that made me very happy). of course, a couple of times, i was told i could pass for a student (despite the business casual dress and lab coat). i'm hoping they were referring to my youthful glow, not my novice-like behavior :chair:

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · May 8, 2005

that is something i must say, has gone pretty well for me. at least i think it has (compared to many others at other schools who were 'thrown to the wolves'). i had the opportunity to be 'precepted' for three clinical days, and i've had a decent amount of contact in the other days with the other instructors. the faculty did the student evaluations as a team (it is a team teaching approach). i got a lot of feedback and tips (after giving some anecdotes that i experienced with the students). four of the instructors were there when i was a student- the rest are new since. one of them was extrmely helpful and gave me some extra pointers. i feel pretty comfortable there so far. and, best of all, i received pretty decent evals from the students!!! :balloons: (that made me very happy). of course, a couple of times, i was told i could pass for a student (despite the business casual dress and lab coat). i'm hoping they were referring to my youthful glow, not my novice-like behavior :chair:

you are very blessed to have such a positive and supportive mentoring environment. it has been my observation that such an experience is rare. in my case, i was handed a few new textbooks and scattered scraps (literally) of handwritten lecture notes from the teacher who preceded me. i was then told to prepare my lectures and get up in front of the class to "teach." i was naive enough to do so without questioning this method of induction into teaching. i had very little guidance and no one really checking on me either. needless to say, my first year of teaching was quite a brutal experience. i am happy to say that now my school of nursing has developed a mentoring program for new faculty.