New to Teaching LPN Students

[CAL3]

Hey fellow nurses!

I am looking to get some feedback on a situation I am faced with. I live in Missouri (husband is stationed here for military) and back in January I started teaching med-surg clinicals one day a week to LPN students at the local hospital. I have a BSN (did a 4 year as a traditional student), and I've had 2 years of experience as an RN. 1.5 years cardiac telemetry, and then 6 months of home hospice before starting this job. The community college I'm employed by recently asked me to come on board as an adjunct to teach Leadership in the classroom setting to the LPN students. However, I am wondering am I qualified enough or do I even have enough experience as an RN to take this on? Prior to being a clinical instructor, the only experience I had "teaching" was orienting new hire nurses on night shift. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

PS. I am interested in pursuing a graduate degree in Nursing Education, but currently am not enrolled in any graduate program.

[amoLucia]

Unless I'm wrong, the curriculum is already developed. They hand it to you and you present it. This has always been the scenario for any teaching position that I've pursued.

I sound like I'm minimizing things, but your school evidently thinks you have the skills to do the job, so they approached you.

It sounds like you're intrigued, so go for it!

And good luck.

[CAL3]

Thank you for your reply and feedback! Your reply has been super helpful and calmed my nerves.

[amoLucia]

It's not like you have to create from scratch. At least I'm NOT thinking you have to do so.

A college surely must have a curriculum/lesson plans that shows what the instructors are presenting. It's a done deal. That's why they have accrediting bodies to review all that stuff. You DO have to know the instructional information. And you do have to present the material without any real deviation. That's why they have all those goals and objectives on the syllabus. And they most likely have their own developed test bank. So that's why you have to stick to the script.

Ask them to see the lesson plans 'so you have an idea' yadda, yadda. They should be able to provide them to you and they should be current.

Some years ago for one place, I interviewed and told them I didn't know how to write plans and tests. I was told 'not to worry; it was already in place'. Yeah, they never told me it hadn't been updated in YEARS, and I mean, YEARS. So I learned to pay attn to dates. Because of a major shakeup on campus, I had to revamp and update everything from scratch. Boy, did I learn fast. But it wasn't difficult. And I've done some nice projects since.

If you like 'teaching', go for it.

[CAL3]

Okay, that's really good information to know. Thank you for being so thorough! I'm meeting with the LPN program director to go over things before I decide. Thank you again!!!