Questions for a nurse educator

[Maggieinpdx]

Hello fellow RNs!

I decided the take the plunge into an online MSN program. I have an assignment in which I'm supposed to ask a current nurse educator a few brief questions about their approach to teaching. That said, my department has NO educator, and I don't personally know any educators in my hospital system. I'm hoping some of you might be able to comment below regarding these questions:

1. What teaching style do you use?

2. What teaching style do you think is most effective?

3. What teaching style do you think is ineffective?

4. Any other comments about your approach to teaching students and new RNs?

Thank you so much for your help!

[vampiregirl, BSN, RN]

I don't have an MSN, I have a Master's in Palliative Care. I assist the education department at my agency as needed but work in another position full time. Not sure if my responses fit exactly what you are looking for...

1. I use a variety of teaching styles depending on the topic and audience. I try to include interactive components for any education I am providing. And hands on if possible.

2. It depends on the topic and audience. Competency based, role play, simulations and sometimes games all can be effective strategies. Even if it is a "simple" skills, having the opportunity to ask questions and get clarifications makes a huge difference! Blended learning strategies can also be effective with a reading/ online portion and then a more hands on activity to reinforce and clarify material can also be a good strategy. In hospice, we focus on teaching caregivers to perform many of the skills. Being able to perform a skill yourself and teaching someone else are two different things. Plus we tend to retain material better when we teach someone. But it takes some practice to become proficient in teaching caregivers and practice opportunities give people the chance to figure it out.

3. I find that most of my colleagues don't benefit from just reading a procedure/policy and then being expected to put it into clinical practice without some type of hands on learning activity first that uses the skill they read about. 

4. Assessing current knowledge level and going from there whenever possible. Taking opportunities to encourage growth and development of critical thinking. Identifying available resources to help/ support nurses. Recognizing the importance of a calm, compassionate demeanor and interpersonal skills; also the importance of listening to our patients. Reinforcing that there may be multiple correct ways to perform a skill, promoting learning perform skills consistent with an agency's policies and procedure. Encouraging self-care and boundaries. Promoting professionalism. Establishing culture of intolerance for inappropriate behavior from patients/ caregivers and how this should be addressed.