KatrinaRN

I am also an educator and hear the student complaints about their instructors and how "we're" out to get them. The one advantage to being an educator is that we understand "both" sides of the situation. We have been students and now are educators and I can say with confidence neither side is easy. I always try to encourage and motivate my students to do their best, but the bottom line is nursing school is very difficult and not everyone will be successful. It is a very difficult situation to be in as an educator. We need to nurture our students and offer encouragement, while preparing them for the NCLEX and the world of nursing. My students understand that I'm not easy, but that I'm always fair. If a student has a question, I answer it to the best of my ability and I always take time to discuss their exams and offer rationales for the correct answer. This is the only way for a nursing student to develop critical thinking. I have seen instructors refuse to discuss exam questions because they don't want the "confrontation". I, on the other hand, welcome it as I love a challenge. I have spent many years in nursing school over the years. I have been an LPN, ASN, BSN, and now MSN and none of it has been easy. I have had my favorite instructors and those who I could have done without, but I stayed focus, took the good with the bad, and worked extremely hard to accomplish my goals. When I didn't receive the grade I wanted, I looked at what I could have done differently and in every case, I could have studied more, asked more questions, or met with my instructor for advice. I'm certainly not saying that this is the case with everybody. I just think that we all need to take a look at the role we play. I constantly evaluate and improve upon my teaching methods. Like everything, it's a work in progress.

Hi Kacy, When I started as a clincial instructor, I was hired 3 weeks AFTER the semester started and was given 1 week to prepare. I remember the program chair met me at the hospital where I was to do clinicals for about 2 hours. She gave me a whirl wind tour of the floor and handed me 2 folders full of papers. She offered about a 1-minute explanation of the paperwork and she was gone. I had not idea what I was doing and definitely didn't have time to prepare. I was called in for an interview on a Thursday and asked to start the same Saturday. I told them I was taking at least a week to look through everything, and the next Saturday I was there. It ended up that I had little time to look over the paperwork anyway, because of the computer training and special glucometer class I had to squeeze in that week. Now to the positive:) I have been there for 2 years and I now coordinate the program. I love what I do and feel that I am much more supportive of my adjunct clinical staff. I've been in their shoes and I always give them time to prepare and spend as much time helping them as I can. I know you will do well and if you can get through this first semester, the second one will be easier and you'll find your comfort zone;) Best of luck to you! Katrina

I usually just lurk and enjoy reading the valuable information, but I find that I should chime in on this one. I agree that everyone has the right to voice his or her opinions both good and bad regarding nursing; however, I'm concerned that nursing students and future nursing students are hearing mostly negative experiences. I have been a nurse for 11 years. In that time, I've worked as an LPN, ASN, and BSN. I'm currently one year away from completing my MSN. I have worked in various areas of nursing: geriatrics, orthopedics, med/surg, family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, and nursing education. I'm currently working for a community college teaching med/surg (lecture and clinicals) and OB/Peds (lecture and clinical). I would be less than truthful if I said that I enjoyed every area of nursing in which I've worked, but I can say that I have learned a lot and became a better nurse through all my experiences. As nurses, we do have to deal with management, short staffing, mulit-tasking, and heavy workloads, but every profession has its obstacles. My husband has an MBA and works as a GM for a large company and although he loves his job, he has bad days. I feel that nursing is the most diverse profession out there and although it isn't easy, it is extremely rewarding. I always tell my students that you may not get a lot of thank you's, but you have to know that you're doing something good and rewarding. To me, nursing is so much more than cleaning BM and it's unfortunate that that seems to be the focus for some of you. It's all part of the learning process. It is part of the fundamentals that makes us good nurses. It would be impossible to be a good, effective manager without experience as a floor nurse and how can we go on to be legal consultants or educators without significant knowledge of patient care. I see nothing wrong with aspiring to take on different roles in nursing. I feel that that is what makes nursing so desirable, but IMHO you have to learn to give the bed baths, clean BM, be comfortable with medications and treatments before moving on to the next level and being successful at it. Nursing isn't for everyone and there is nothing wrong with admitting that it isn't a good fit. I wish everyone the best of luck with their decisions and chosen occupation. Katrina

Hi traumaRUs, Don't feel guilty, I think we all suffer from this at some point. I'm certainly not an expert by any means, but have some experience in keeping myself from burnout:) Like yourself, I started out as an LPN, then ASN, BSN and now currently working on my MSN in nursing education. Once I'm done with that I'm going to work on a post-master's certificate in FNP. I've been a nurse for 11 years. I currently teach Med/Surg lecture and clinical at a community college and will teach OB/Peds in the Fall. Once I'm done with my MSN and post-master's, I'm going to teach part-time and work as an NP part-time. When I began my teaching career last Fall. I was teaching part-time and working at a rural health clinic part-time. I find that if I do one job for too long, I start to get bored and feel unchallenged. Once I started keeping two separate positions, it made the world of difference. I previously worked with two NPs who were doing the same thing. Teaching part-time and working as an NP. IMHO, as much time as you've spent in nursing and working on furthering your education, I would hold off on option #3. If you've never been an instructor, I would give that a try. It's extremely challenging and there's never a dull moment. I can't see myself making that my sole position, but it certainly gives me the challenge that I need. I wish you the best with whatever you decide to do. With your experience and level of education, you would be an asset anywhere. Katrina

Hi nursebrandie28, I have been going through the same thing lately. Students complaining the exams are too difficult seems to be the most prevalent complaint. I usually have anywhere from 4-7 students fail each semester, but they are almost without fail the students who skip class, leave early, and sleep in class. I have students who actually sit there as I'm writing important information to be added to their notes on the board, and write nothing down. What do they expect? I currently have a small group of 15 students and 4 of them will definitely fail (class ends Thursday). All 4 are rarely in class and if they are they leave after an hour or so. All 4 have failed this class previously, so this is their second and third times taking it. Two of the students have had this class with other instructors, so I don't feel that I'm the problem. Like you, my boss backs me up, but it's still difficult to listen to the complaints. I know it's not easy to listen to complaints or harsh criticism, but when you see that the students failing or complaining are the ones sleeping and not coming to class, you are not to be blamed. I have learned over time there will be complainers in every class no matter how great the teacher is. Some students simply do not want to take responsibility for their failures and lack of effort. Katrina

I have a BSN and currently teach A & P I/II to PN students at a community college which only requires a BSN and I teach Med/Surg clinicals and will be teaching the theory and clinical portion this summer at another community college. This particular school requires that you have a BSN to be a clinical instructor and be working on an MSN to teach theory. It is my humble opinion that instructors should have an MSN to teach theory and a BSN to teach clinicals. It wasn't long before I realized I was in over my head. Without formal training as an educator, I was at a huge disadvantage and really struggled. Although I'm more comfortable in my role now, I still feel like I'm lacking in many areas. I was working on my MSN to become an NP, but switched my focus to nursing education a couple of weeks ago. I enjoy teaching (most of the time;) and decided to go that route. I'm looking forward to gaining more knowledge and feeling like I'm more qualified to perform in my role. Katrina

Hi tgb1966, I changed my degree focus from FNP to Education this week. I never saw myself as someone wanting to teach, but was kind of roped into it and now I love it. I currently teach a Med/Surg clinical on Saturdays for one community college and I teach Anatomy and Physiology I & II during the week. It is just the challenge I needed to boost my career:) I also have a background in Med/Surg and working with physicians among many other areas. I wish you the best of luck in your journey and good luck with the adjunct position:) Katrina

mathilda843, I just completed IWU's BSN program and thouroughly enjoyed it. I felt the staff and facilitators were very caring and helpful. I'm sure the MSN program will be similar with the same care and helpfulness. The only reason I will not be attending IWU's MSN program is because I want to be an FNP and they currently do not have a 100% online program for that specialty. Otherwise, I would continue my education with them. Good luck! Katrina

CardioTrans, I begin the FNP program at Ball State University on August 21 and my first two courses are Theory and Research. I dread Research so much. It was my least favorite class in my BSN program. I guess the bright side is that I'm getting it over with at the beginning of the program. Katrina

Congratulations! I'm taking my seventh class through IWU for my BSN and I love it. It's a lot of work, but definitely worth it. Good luck to you. Katrina

I also looked into both of those programs for an RN-BSN program, but I decided to do the RN-BSN program through Indiana Wesleyan University. It is a little more expensive, but I'm happy with my decision. I had already applied and been accepted to USI, but I didn't think their admission director or other staff members were helpful. I always felt like I was pulling teeth to get information. Indiana Wesleyan was the complete opposite. The admissions department updated me via email regularly when they received a transcript and kept me posted on what was still needed. They gave me a checklist which was very helpful. I also like their program because once you are accepted into the program, you don't have to register for classes and they mail you your textbooks one week prior to classes. This is great because you don't have to try and order your books or figure out which ones you need. If you have any questions or if I can be of any help let me know. Katrina

I'm also interested in a forum for nurses interested in or currently enrolled in grad school. I'm an ADN RN and will complete my BSN in one year. Afterwards, I plan to start an MSN program to become an FNP. It would be very beneficial to myself and others to have such a forum.

The website is http://www.indwes.edu I'm also a student of the BSN online program and am currently taking my third class. I love it. Most of the classes last 5 weeks. There are two classes with clinicals but those are arranged locally. Those two classes are 7 and 9 weeks, I believe. It is a lot of work but doable. If I can offer any more information, please let me know. Katrina

Thanks for the replys. I have discovered since my post that the Indiana College Network is different from the College Network. ICN has a partnership with multiple Indiana universities. Once you are admitted to a university in Indiana for instance, I am admitted to the University of Southern Indiana, if there is a course at my home university that isn't available when I need it I can go through ICN to take an equivalent course at one of the other universities in the partnership. You pay the tuition of your home insititute for the class even if I were to take it at let's say Ball State. That class is automatically added to my transcript at my home university without the trouble of me having to have it transferred. BTW, there is no charge to students for the service.

Does anyone know if the Indiana College Network is similar to the College Network? I've recently been accepted to the Univeristy of Southern Indiana RN-BSN online program and am thinking of using the ICN to get my prerequisites done. Any information will be appreciated. Thanks, Katrina