Help for a new Educator

Specialties Educators

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Specializes in ED.

I am a fairly new Clinical Instructor and I am teaching my first classroom class. I usually terach clinicals with 8 students. this is a Pre-req nursing class approx 75 in the class. I need some ideas....some fun ideas. this is a class where we need to influence students to continue in Nursing. I love being a Nurse, so the concept will not be hard but I need ice breakers, group activites.

thanks a bunch!!!

:eek:

WOW! 75 at once is overpowering. And maybe this suggestion won't work with your group (but I believe in the power of brainstorming; this may be silly but maybe it'll spark something else).

When I used to teach, the most fun my class had was when I split them into groups and made them do commercials and we filmed them with a videocam.

Might be too cumbersome for your group, but then again, maybe you could make it work...wouldn't even have to be commercials...in fact, how about haveing them make up interactions among nurse/pt, doctor/nurse/pt, nurse/family, nurse/nurse, etc. You give them a scenario, they figure out what they're gonna say and who's gonna do what and they get 5 minutes. You wouldn't have to film it either.

I may have some ideas, what is the pre-req subject? I'll see if I can help.

I would love some advice. I am just beginning a new job as an LPN Instructor at a tech college. Please send teaching advice. I have tons of clinical experience and teaching on the job but classroom and clinicals are new!! I am sooo excited. I want to help my students get off on the right start to becoming Great Nurses!!

I am trying to get information to create a nurse educator position in the ER where I work. Do any of you work as nurse educators in your departments, preferably the ER? I would take any suggestions you have. Thanks! :D

Originally posted by trrn

I am trying to get information to create a nurse educator position in the ER where I work. Do any of you work as nurse educators in your departments, preferably the ER? I would take any suggestions you have. Thanks! :D

Dare to be happy!

Wow! 75 huh? Yikes....

I teach a variety of prereq courses including A&P, Medical Terminology, Interpersonal Communication along with all 3 levels of medical lecture/labs here at our college. Lab A as well as the medical terminology classes are some of the classes that people get when they first walk through the door. I try and fill those classes with anecdotes of exciting or warm and fuzzy stories and help them see that there is a lot more to this profession than injections and phlebotomy. I try and structure these classes with the most basic requirements and help them be successful with their grades as well. While I don't let anyone slide by just to pass them, I try and brainstorm with them to help them be successful.

Hope that helps.....

P.S. Tell me you have an assistant! If you don't then ask for a work study student. They are invaluable.

trrn,

I am a Nurse Educator and have 11/2 years experience in this area. I think the key is to make sure that you have the right person for the right job. I do excellent work as an educator, but have made (once again) the choice to go back to the floor. Make sure that the candidate is able to do and LIKE the M-F no weekend no holiday hours. As a former night nurse, these hours are not for me. Also, make sure there is flexibility to allow that nurse to work the floor. If the educator is within your organization, it tends to be a better fit, as they usually have excellent credibility amongst the other staff nurses'. Working on the floor is still key to having an excellent clinical nurse in position that will show staff he/she is still enjoying nursing. In our ER, the staff nurses work 12hr shifts, so live inservices don't always work that great. I tend to stick with self study quizzes, posterboards with post-tests and a bulletin board that I use to update pharm updates etc. Having a director that is supportive is also key to the role. I enjoyed working with my director because she was SO supportive and always supported my new ideas. Finally, allow the educator to express their creativity. The job works well for someone who has high energy, but someone who can sit behind a desk for 8hrs at a time is also important. Take your time in selecting your candidate, and then choose carefully. I like doing the educator role, but I prefer bedside nursing and the 3 days a week. Hence, my return to the floor. Also, make sure the educator can actually TEACH people. I came in with TNCC Instructor and ACLS Instructor, which is key and can take a lot of heat off of your unit clinical specialist if you have one. Also, bodes well to inspire staff to take the classes that your educator teaches. Keep me posted and if you have any more questions, please feel free to ask.

Ursula, I just read your reply about some advice on teaching. I would love to hear from you. I have been teaching the LPN program for 3 years and I have 21 years experience as a staff nurse, preceptor, supervisor, manager in hospital and director of nursing in a nursing home so I have done alot and I am fine in clinical teaching but I feel like I want to do alittle better teaching certain chapters in anatomy. I will be doing the urinary system soon and I just need to teach the basics. I would like to be able to talk more confidently without the help of the book so much any tips????? Thanks in advance shull

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