Got new job as LVN/LPN instructor

[1996RN]

Hi all,

Hopefully someone is still reading this forum and can help me out. I'm an ADN RN working towards my BSN (will receive this fall) and my MSN in nursing education which I'll receive in 2012. I was recently hired as a LVN/LPN instructor- both classroom and clinicals. My back ground is OB, as you can tell by my name, so much of this will be 'new' to me since I haven't worked med/surg for 11 years. I have a few weeks before I start, and I'm trying to find out if there are any textbooks or programs specifically for LVN/LPN instructors, some guidelines for teaching, tips, etc that I can study up on prior to starting. Thanks in advance.

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

Welcome to allnurses :welcome: and congratulations on the new position!

First of all, what is your job description? What subjects will you be teaching? What sorts of labs will you be conducting? Where will you be having clinicals?

Have you seen the syllabi for the courses/ clinicals/ labs that you will be facilitating? What are the objectives? Do you have any resources from faculty who have taught these assignments before?

Are there any faculty available at your school of nursing who will be mentoring you during your first year?

[1996RN]

these are all great questions that you asked. in fact, i asked most of them too and was told that i would find out everything on my first day of orientation. they said all i'll be expected to do that first day is sit back and take it all in. well i'm a planner and i want to know what i'll be taking in... lol. i've emailed both HR and DON and both have told me that i'd find out everything on my first day. so what can i do in the meantime??

[sallypz]

Congrats on the job. I, too, teach in a LPN program...only clinicals at this time. (and I also teach a CNA course). First thing to do would be to get all the textbooks they use in the program & get the instructors copy. Then find out if there is any accompanying instructors resources that the publisher of the textbooks offer. Many companies offer a variety of things for instructors, including complete sets of power points that can be used in class. Also ask the school what resource materials they have in the department for instructors. They may have videos, DVDs for classroom on aspects of theory and clinical skills. Ask for the syllabus and clinical forms they will use. Then go on-line and search for instructor resources, either in general or break it down by specific subject area. Don't forget to look at sites like You-Tube for Nursing skills videos. Then organize what you have. Find a little area of your house to use as your 'office' area. I organize all my materials by semester in big notebooks, keeping my handouts and resources notes there too. Good luck...hope that helps to get you started.

Sallypz

[lkwashington]

I have a interview tomorrow for a LPN program teaching position. Is there anything I need to know or keep in mind? I would appreciate any advice given. Thanks and good luck to you with planning.

[KristelRN]

I too just accepted a position as an LPN instructor and I am so excited! I appreciate this thread because orientation is next week for and since I have no teaching experience, I need all the help I can get. Academics has always been my strong point, I graduated honors from both adn and bsn programs. Thank-you all.

[1996RN]

well what i quickly learned that they fully expected me to use a variety of creative teaching, not just lecture. i was on a serious time crunch the whole time i was there. there was always some sort of activity by the school or evals on their last instructors that cut into my lecture time. my classes were not always the quickest of learners, due to the type of place i taught. it was very frustrating how they cut a 3 hr lecture time into 1 hr, but i was still expected to cover all of the material. i came in early and stayed late, and even met the students back at the school after clinicals to try to tutor the students. til they said no more overtime. they also began to tell me that the students 'paid to get passing grades' and i was to do whatever was necessary to make them pass. they even fired a seasoned instructor because some students failed her class- medical math. i got out as soon as this happened, i felt very unethical and couldn't be a part of it anymore, but the job itself was awesome.

[KristelRN]

TY for responding. I guess i am in the same position as u were a year ago. Some of that sounds disheartening, I hope the school that I am with is better than that. What do u do now? I think I wanna stick with education and i tink this is a great way to build experience. What was the first class like?

[1996RN]

the students were very cut-throat and if you didn't basically tell them everything that was on their quizzes and exams, they went straight to the DON and complained on me. I received a lot of attitude and mumbles of how bad of an instructor i was. i took it a little bit personally but not too bad. there was a lot of stumbling and then intimidation by the students. after my first go round, i became better and better, totally comfortable teaching the lectures. i always wanted to tell these interesting stories in the OB class since i've seen some really bad OB emergencies. i figured it would be interesting (they loved it!), but i always ended up running late on my lectures. they will do anything they can to intimidate and take control of the classroom, but you have to set the bar from the beginning. establish control and reprimand from day 1. dont try to get their approval, teach them that you are only telling them how it is in the real world, and that type of behavior is not acceptable as a professional. they will walk all over you and push you to find your limits. just dont lose control during class. okay, hopefully you have a better population than i did. mine was the type of vocational school that was really expensive but they never turned down anybody and financed anybody, regardless of credit history. so it was a last resort for many of them. it was all about the numbers. anytime you told them they needed to read a chapter in their book, they were all quick to moan and groan about how much $$ they were paying to be TAUGHT or TOLD the material on the tests. and management needed to maintain the passing rate to keep the funding coming in. my job was truly a business, not a school. i can only hope you have a much better experience than them. oh yeah, and dont EVER think any of your students is your friend. they will turn on you SO quickly. Don't let your guard down and keep those boundaries up. It will bite you in the butt as it did to me my first go round. i quickly learned that you cannot trust anybody. sad but true.

[KristelRN]

WOw that sounds just horrible! I can see how this can be the case. I will just be optimistic about the situation. I can only do my best, stay in a good place mentally and spiritually and remmeber why I want the position. Ty for the imput.

[favflu]

Hope i'm not responding too late.

1. having the desire to teach is crucial, because it will give you the zeal to continue putting your best forward.

2. know the subject you are teaching and prepare a lesson plan

3. be knowledgeable in the subject and research for updated material that might be relevant. Updated material is crucial for improvement in clinical practice.

4. be cultural sensitive by having some basic understanding on different cultures in the classroom

5. before starting, engage the students in the classroom by asking them questions on subject, and receiving feedback. This will give you an idea on the depth of their knowledge and how to structure the lesson plan

6. observe those who need extra help, and offer support

7. let the students know the time, and dates you are a available in your office to address concerns.

8. let the students know on the first day of class what you expect of them as students, and the importance of complying with the rules and regulations of the institution

[favflu]

I too am a part-time nursing instructor