New instructor need help!

[Green-eyedNurse]

Hey everyone,

i just accepted a position as a CNA instructor. I've been searching the boards and googling until I can read no more.

I need help. I don't want to fail miserably. I want to have a plan. Students are self paced so everyone is in a different spot.

Can an I have other educators typical set up of what your day involves? How do you cater to each student? How do you handle skills lab?

any help and advice would be greatly appreciated

[Vtachy1]

A lot depends on where you teach. Do you have a statewide CNA educators conference? I learned a lot from that and from my Train the Trainer class. Are there other instructors or is there a CNA coordinator that can help you along?

I have been teaching high school health Occ CNA classes for 4 years. Our class is from 7:30 AM until 9:15 AM. We usually go to the lab to get them moving and waking up, practicing skills first, and then go back to the classroom.

Get the book called "what the best college teachers do" and another book called " "Teaching Strategies for Nurse Educators."

DeYoung, S. (2015). Teaching Strategies for Nurse Educators (3rd). Pearson Education, Inc.: Upper Saddle River, N.J.

I use a variety of activities in the classroom to keep them moving and participating. We also have workbooks that they get extra points for completing.

On your very first day of class, lay down the law. What is expected of them. The door is locked at 5 minutes after class begins and you are absent for the day for example. Attitudes, figure out what is non-negotiable. Cell phones are non negotiable for me, they are rude, and the faculty complain about rudeness of the nursing faculty on their phones, so I do not allow cell phones in class. Anything you can think of that you can hit head on before the problem occurs.

[mamanrs937]

Go through the class/school handbook. Emphasize attendance policy, due dates for skills/Other assignments, and mid-terms and finals. Let them know which items are non- negotiable and stick to your guns.

Be pleasant, but firm.

[JaxJax5423]

although it can be difficult for a seasoned nurse, I try to stick to the book when it comes to skills. The students tend to get overwhelmed and confused when instructors deviate. Also, if multiple instructors are in lab it helps to be on the same page. Obviously, in practice how I insert foleys on a toddler may be slightly different than how my Co instructor inserts one in an adult, but that can get very confusing. Also, the students hang on every word you say. If you say "insert 3 inches" they will freak if you say 5 inches the next time. I have a fun bunch.