Are You an Instructor? You Should Know...

[Purple_roses]

This is my first semester of nursing school and I've honestly been enjoying it so far. Of course, it wouldn't be nursing school without feeling like you're going to fail out of the program about once a week. Instructors, you should know that the smallest things you say make a huge difference.

Today I was inwardly freaking out about a big to do list. I couldn't seem to get anything accomplished because there was one simple skill that I just wasn't getting. I talked to my teacher about it and she told me that when she was in nursing school, she was shaking in her boots. She thought for sure she would fail on the same skill I was struggling with. And then she let me practice on her until I got it right, and she probably has no idea how amazing she is for being so down-to-earth and patient. I felt normal for struggling, and I felt like I could go to her for anything I needed help with. I know she'll take the time to help her students learn, and that makes a student's confidence soar (which in turn makes us perform better clinically).

So thank you to the instructors who don't just do the bare minimum. Thank you to my one instructor who explained (in full detail) a full heat-to-toe assessment THREE times, just to make sure we all felt comfortable with it. Thank you to the instructor who let me practice BPs on her until her arm looked a bit purple. Thank you to the ones who stay late after class to practice with us even though you would love nothing more than to go home and start dinner with your families. You're not paid enough for how much you know or how much you do, and we notice the extra effort you put into your job.

In summary, thanks for taking some of the stress out of nursing school.

[Rose_Queen, BSN, MSN, RN]

And thank you for sharing a positive story about instructors! I'm glad you took the time to share a good story rather than the other side that people are more likely to take the time to write.

[rob4546, ADN, BSN, MSN]

I had great instructors as well. They are now trusted friends and colleagues. It helps coming from a small rural area.

[Jensmom7, BSN, RN]

You're right about how the little things can be so important.

I had MedSurg I in the Spring, and MedSurg II the following Fall, and had the same CI for both rotations. Over the Summer, I worked as a Nurses Aide on a MedSurg unit.

A few days into clinicals, she pulled me aside and said "You worked over the Summer, didn't you?" When I told her I had, she said "I knew it! You are so much more confidant now than last semester!"

I don't think my feet touched the floor the rest of the shift lol.

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

Shout out to my awesome professors as well.

Thank you for cracking a joke to ease my tension. Thanks for being honest, even if it hurt to hear. Thank you for being yourself with me, even when your sense of humor is as dark and twisted as mine. And thank you for being a great example of the kind of nurse I aspire to be.

[AspiringNurseMW]

I'm in my first semester and absolutely love ALL my instructors. There are all different, all with many many years of experience, and all of them seem to hold p/t or per diem jobs. They are all approachable, whether in person, email or text. I do not hesitate to ask them questions.

I see now why my school has such a great reputation, even better than the 2 BSN programs close to us, and why the NCLEX pass rates remain in the low 90's. Our instructors are the reason.

[Farawyn]

Awwww, Purp! I'm so glad it's going well for you. She sounds like a great Educator and Mentor.

[quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN]

It is those nurses who we think about when the going gets rough. Whenever you have times when you are stressing, come back and read our post here.

[futurenaijaRN, BSN, RN]

It feels like you are in my school! My professors do same exact things for us(of course if you come to them for help).

[Cola89]

Instructors like the one you describe KNOW they are giving back to nursing and the community by patiently and thoroughly teaching their students. I hope to be an instructor such as this one day!!!