Curious About Your Views On Having Teacher's Assistant In The Clinical Setting

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Hi to everyone out there,

Good Sunday Morning,

It happened to me in the last 2 semesters, having a teacher assistant (TA, BSN prepared) in the clinical with my group of students and sad to say, I did not like it at all. I have nothing personal against TAs. it is just the situation, where I felt like I had another baggage to carry. This last semester, in particular, I had 17 students in the clinical group because I was given a TA with me. Per BON, a Clinical Instructor who has a TA, can have a maximum students of 15. We had 17, so 2 of the students have to be in the sim lab in the school campus everyday.

It is all pretty much disadvantages for me. I tried to orient him (just like students), explained this is what we are going to do. With the number of students we had, I had to share with him the weekly papers and the other homework that students have to do (e.g., a paper about a peer-reviewed article). I check 9 or 10, he'll take the rest. However, what ends up happening is I always have to go over all the papers that he had checked the following week, so I lag behind as far as papers, I lag behind giving students feedback in their paperwork and their progress in the clinical. I had to do this because I want the students to be given the same feedback, the same comments, so they will not be confused. I also feel it is my ultimate responsibility to know how all my students are doing in the clinical, and with 17 it is just too difficult.

By the way, I am with 6th semester BSN generic program and just to let everybody know, last semester we had a total of 80 students in the class with 4 instuctors. The students do 2 rotations a semester, so this was all right (each instructor with 10 students in the clinical). This spring semester however, we had a total of 109 students, with the same 4 instructors plus 2 TAs. This made it a little bit more complicated to say the least.

I am wondering what everybody thinks about having TA? What are your views? Will you consider having a TA with you, if you are asked to? Can't wait to hear what you all have to say.:specs:

Thanks.

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

I have never encountered this situation. It sounds very problematic. I personally would not like it, as being responsible for 10 students in the clinical area is quite enough! I could not imagine 15 students being on the floor at the same time (even with a TA). Ultimately, the faculty person, not the TA, is responsible for them all. :eek: And, making certain that the grading standards are equitably applied makes for enormous work for you.

This issue aside, how does the nursing unit feel about being bombarded with all these students? On some floors, we can barely squeeze in our 10 students (especially on low census days).

Are you able to use the same TA semester after semester? If so, then it possibly could get better, as he adapts to your routine.

Is your administration open to your feedback about this situation and how difficult and time-consuming it is for you? I would definitely let them know.

BTW, I hope my school does not get wind of this new "arrangement."

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Hi Vicky,

I have my students spread out on 5 different units (medical, surgical, telemetry, CVICU, and recovery room), so that really helps.

I decided to actually leave the University in the Fall and just go to a private nursing school (am starting this Summer), which is a much slower pace and lower volume (as far as number of students).

Additional background to the sticky situation I am in. My TA and I work full time in the same hospital. We report to the person (same "boss" if you will). He (my TA) is a very good friend to our "boss". Our boss is very good with me and has really been supportive of whatever it is I do. It was really hard for me to say no when I was asked to take him with me as a TA. By the way, this TA is being paid for by our hospital to work for the university (the thought is to get to know their students, the cream-of-the-crop ones) and hopefully get them to work for our hospital after graduation.

Anyway, thanks for reading. I struggled a lot to make the decision. However, at this time my mind is made up. I am leaving the university after 3 and a half years, my very first clinical instruction job.

Vicky S.

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

Let us know how your transition to the private school goes. We're here for support and help, if you need us. BTW, thank you for all YOUR contributions. They have been very helpful :)

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Thank you and I will.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

Too late now, but should this come up in the future, one thing I've found very helfpul is use of a rubric when there are multiple instructors, and also rotating students. Ex- for "x" number of weeks the TA supervises half of the students, and you supervise the other half, then switch. Then you are both aware of each student's progress. I also use standardized documentation forms when I teach with an adjunct with specific objectives to be me. This helps me ensure that we are on the "same page". Good luck in your future endeavor.

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Thank you so much LiveToLearn. I did not think about using a rubric, but it sure is a good idea. We rotated the students between us every week, I got his feedback on all of the students for the mid-term and the final evaluations, however, I still felt really overwhelmed.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

It is really, really hard to "train" an assistant in order to ensure both of you are on the same page. When a new instructor joined my team, I spent a lot of time ensure this was the case. We each blind graded students' papers (double the work for awhile) and then conferred afterwards. We knew we had a good care plan rubric when we were always within a point of each other. But it took me years to develop that silly rubric!!!

Nothing worse than working on all that and then the adjunct/assistant leaves! AAAAACK!! I feel for you, it is so overwhelming all the things that need to be done "behind the scenes" in education. I had to stifle a cackle when someone asked me if I loved working at an "easy" job with normal hours, lol. Best of luck in your new job.

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It is really unfortunate that clinical instructors have to have a TA with them. You are exactly right, it has been double work on "everything" (grading papers, checking care plans & concept maps, etc) for me, just to make sure I am fair with all the students. Well, I gave it a shot for 2 semesters. I just don't want to have that many numbers of students anymore. It was really nice to meet you and I appreciate your words of wisdom.

BTW, can you share your rubric with me? Thanks.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health, Show Biz.

:bugeyes:

teaching assistant???

requires supervison also???

that means 15 plus 1???

ooooooops!!

that's "a bit much"

supervision

for this old nurse:d

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I hear ya. Thanks for your reply.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

Sorry! Hadn't peeked at this thread in awhile. I tried to pm you with the rubric, but it says it's too long to cut and paste. Can you pm me with an email address you'd like me to send it to?

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