Those who can't...teach...your thoughts?

Nurses General Nursing

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netglow, ASN, RN

4,412 Posts

You need to stay at hospital to precept new GNs!!!:bowingpur

MedSurgeMess

985 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, educator.
You need to stay at hospital to precept new GNs!!!:bowingpur

I do that now....and yes, I get great reviews for that too. I never really knew I had it in me!

dannyc12

228 Posts

That is a completely bogus phrase. Teaching, like nursing, is a skill and a profession in its own right.

Two of the best professors I have ever had were in Psychology and Chemistry. Either of these two people either could have been or already were quite successful in their specialty. They chose to teach because of the satisfaction it gives them and because they are just damn good at it. I remember writing an eval of my Chemistry teacher that said, "Watching her teach is like watching Tiger Woods hit a golf ball." She was that good.

Conversely, I have seen some professors who were probably very good at what they did, but were fairly lousy at helping students assimilate new concepts. New professors often have some growing pains in this area.

Some of my nursing school instructors are great in lab and clinical settings, but are poor theory lecturers. One of these days, I am going to sit through one too many professors reading directly off a powerpoint in front of class and snap: "HEY LADY!!! I CAN FREAKING READ!! I NEED YOU TO TEACH, NOT READ TO ME!!"

I find myself doing quite a bit of tutoring because a professor so badly mangled their presentation of the material.

ivanh3

472 Posts

Specializes in ER and family advanced nursing practice.

the version i heard went like so:

those who can't do...manage...those who can't manage...teach...those who can't teach...instruct phys ed classes…

in all seriousness it is probably just as much (or more?) about passion as it is ability. we go were our passions take us (hopefully). often, people decide that it is time for change and look for something new. teaching is an important skill. we don't all have it. i have seen some excellent providers who had students dumped on them. turns out being clinically skillful does not ensure being able get the notion across to others. again, often an issue of desire.

just a thought.

ivan

mamamerlee, LPN

949 Posts

Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

Almost all nurses make good teachers to some extent - we are teaching all the time, to everyone around us. Meds, procedures, disease processes. Formal, and informal. The best teachers incite a flame in the student, a desire to learn even more, and hopefully, to pass it on.

That being said, I agree with DannyC12. Do not read to me in a classroom setting. If you assigned reading to me, and I have done it, I want to know more.

Sewbusy~RN

65 Posts

Specializes in Orthopedics.

I think it is the exception to find a teacher that wouldn't have been a good floor nurse at some point. When I was in school most of my teachers were people I looked up to and respected a great deal. I remember frustrations with certain teachers and thinking at the time that they were probably terrible nurses. But looking back, I realize that it was me that wasn't really up to par, not them.

VICEDRN, BSN, RN

1,078 Posts

Specializes in ER.

I agree in part and disagree in part. There are people who teach that I suspect probably made (make) wonderful nurses. I think I have had some especially good clinical nursing instructors and the occasional classroom instructor that was really amazing.

There are more people who clearly left bedside nursing for a reason. Listening to their stories and reading their resumes, its clear that they are similar to unsuccessful professionals in other settings. They bounce around from area to area trying different things without success. (Listen to their tone of voice to tell the difference between them and people who have had exciting diverse career opportunities.) They simply don't seem to fit in anywhere so they decide to go to teaching. And yeah, they suck at that too!

ivanh3

472 Posts

Specializes in ER and family advanced nursing practice.
there are more people who clearly left bedside nursing for a reason. listening to their stories and reading their resumes, its clear that they are similar to unsuccessful professionals in other settings. they bounce around from area to area trying different things without success. (listen to their tone of voice to tell the difference between them and people who have had exciting diverse career opportunities.) they simply don't seem to fit in anywhere so they decide to go to teaching. and yeah, they suck at that too!

i have to completely disagree with what you are saying. first of all, define "unsuccessful". the term is fairly subjective. you definition might be completely different from someone else's. getting to a point in your career where there is no personal satisfaction and/or growth is not the same thing as unsuccessful. when you say "more" you seem to mean "most". how do you back that up? are you saying that "most" rns that have moved on to become instructors were somehow unsuccessful? i feel that is a gross generalization that in no way bears close scrutiny.

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN

3,543 Posts

Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.
I have heard this quote:

"Those who can't, teach..."

Do you believe this?

otessa

No, absolutely not. In fact, I hate that saying. I think it is filled with disdain for those who choose the teaching profession. Without teachers, where would we be? Teaching is a noble profession. Teachers deserve our respect and our support.

VICEDRN, BSN, RN

1,078 Posts

Specializes in ER.

i have to completely disagree with what you are saying. first of all, define "unsuccessful". the term is fairly subjective. you definition might be completely different from someone else's. getting to a point in your career where there is no personal satisfaction and/or growth is not the same thing as unsuccessful. when you say "more" you seem to mean "most". how do you back that up? are you saying that "most" rns that have moved on to become instructors were somehow unsuccessful? i feel that is a gross generalization that in no way bears close scrutiny.

the question is subjective. the op asked what do you think of the term, "those who can't...teach." i agree in part and disagree in part. i have seen good clinical instructors and good faculty and i have seen bad faculty. i don't have to back that up, its my opinion.

if you are asking me how i came to that conclusion, its based on my experience and on practical matters. why do some people move on to a job that pays roughly half of what they used to make is an example of a practical question that suggests that there exist a variety of motivators at work.

i agree that getting to the point where there is no personal satisfaction or growth in your career is a reason to leave nursing. i frankly wish people who feel that way would not teach. their last memories of nursing are not positive and it shows.

in terms of my idea that "unsuccessful" people tend to cast about life looking for something that fits them, this is just something i have seen in all walks of life. they are usually generally negative and tend to blame every personal failure on other people (including students if given a reason to). there is nothing in that statement that is shocking or frankly, original.

i didn't generalize. in fact, i specifically said that they differ from people who moved on to another opportunity for other reasons. you can differentiate between them quite easily. (although it appears that you think i implied that i think all nursing instructors are unsuccessful nurses. my apologies for not being more clear.)

HeartsOpenWide, RN

1 Article; 2,889 Posts

Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.
I'm thinking on going back after the MSN to get a post masters FNP, just to leave my options in a better situation. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

Two of my nursing instructors got free rides to get their PhDs, even got paid. I was sad to see them go because they were the best instructors I ever had; but I knew they were only going to better their skills and reach more people. Even though you are doing a great service to your clinical students, don't let that hold you back from advancing your career, bettering yourself, and reaching more people. Many masters degree programs still let you work part time (I am looking into UCSFs distance learning CNM program in a few years down the road and I can still work full time) Go forth!

allnurses Guide

ghillbert, MSN, NP

3,796 Posts

Specializes in CTICU.

Those who can't.... make up dumb sayings?

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