New to Nursing Education

UNITEDRN · Nov 25, 2012

Hello reddgirl,

there's always 1st time but it'll get better once you have 3-4 classes. Don't show your nervousness to your students, stay calm, prepare your material to teach, explain your rules for absences late work etc because these things will really become problem later if not cleared earlier. You can tell then that you are there to help them and can be reachable by email at so and so time.

Make them share their fears about nursing course or being a licensed nurse one day. Gradually the classes will get interesting and more open. Document any unusual behavior of any student and don't let any student interrupt the normal class by stretching with discussions which can be talked about later on one to one basis.

hope this helps

reddgirl · Nov 26, 2012

Thanks UNITEDRN! I will certainly take all of these tips into consideration. I am looking forward into getting into the classroom.

allnurses Guide · Nov 26, 2012

Make your data come to life, I use a lot of anecdotes and personal experiences to describe what I am lecturing about. I had one student get "mock mad" at me, because he said he had a plan, had never had an interest in the ER, but after listening to all my stories he was starting to want to work in the ER, lol.

Don't just read power points, put more outline than detail on them. I use mine to make sure I cover all the points and don't go off on rabbit trails. It takes some practice, but cut off those students who want to tell you about every detail of every pt/family member/TV show that has some vague relationship to what you are talking about. You get to know which ones! On the other hand, with older students, especially 2nd career ones, they can give some good insights. My diabetic student demonstrated her insulin pump. My doula shared birthing stories. My dental hygienist pointed out details on some pictures in the power points that I hadn't recognized.

Keep control of the classroom, if too many people are running in and out for phone calls etc, put a stop to it. Adult learners know if they need to go to the bathroom! telling them to ask permission to leave is a bit much. Give frequent enough breaks they don't need to get up and leave. Ringing phones, or even visible ones, are verboten in my class, "if it goes off, you owe me donuts and I'm on a diet!". Tell me ahead of time if your kid is sick and you need your phone out.

Crackling snack bags are a pain in the orifice. If you want to eat in my class, do it verrryyy quietly. Decide if you will allow the lecture to be taped or videoed. Put in your syllabus any restrictions (I allow audio, not visual, and state clearly is for personal use only and may not be made public, especially on social media).

I came to teaching late in my career, but in classroom parttime for going on 4 years now. These are things I have had to confront and learn to deal with; hope they help with your new job. I really like teaching! but dang, I can't afford to leave the bedside altogether (not that I really want to). Cheers!

llg, PhD, RN · Nov 26, 2012

Find a mentor within your fellow faculty members. You'll need someone to give you tips and to fill you in the politics of the workplace. That's true for every position -- but particularly true when you haven't worked as a faculty member before. There may be all sorts of little details about the workplace, expectations, etc. that you are not aware of.

lepew · Nov 27, 2012

These are all great tips! Just be yourself and your love for nursing and teaching will shine through. I agree with the poster from above: do NOT read power points!! I use mine as a guideline only. I like to do lots of interactive things. And give a break at least every 46-50 minutes. Once the butt goes numb the mind can't absorb any more! Good luck! You will do fine!!

UNITEDRN · Nov 27, 2012

You're welcome reddgirl. I also agree with JBudd's suggestions.

You can make good rapport with nursing profession examples in your class but beware of discussing too much of personal or family details. Good Luck :)

reddgirl · Nov 29, 2012

Thank you to all of your comments. I had my first day of general orientation today but will be on campus in the morning shadowing various faculty members! I will see how my official first day goes.

Rnactivist58 · Dec 13, 2012

I would say think of things to engage them...for example if you teaching on diabetes..don't start the lecture with power points and facts...ask them if they know anyone who is a diabetic...what is life like for that person, what do they do that is different than any one else without the disease etc etc. Get them thinking!!

If you have time and you have a series on the elderly patient...go to the dollar store..get cheap glasses and mittens. Wipe a thin layer of vaseline on the glasses and have them read fine print on a card...pick up pennies with 2 pairs of gloves on to get a feel for what it is like to be elderly and not function well....then start the lecture. If everyone can't do this pick a few students and let them tell what it feels like to have these "handicaps"...show them an insulin syringe..."now pretend your 75 and have poor eyesite"....and have to draw up daily insulin.....I know it takes more time but sometimes just a few simple things can make a difference and engage the students.

Use humor when you can...I love nursetoons! sometimes putting them in can break up a long session.

Try to use lots of stories....case studies....

Finally don't be a know it all...be honest..."that's a great question but I do not know"..."let me look that up or direct you to find the answer and report back to us"