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

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I have heard this quote:

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

Do you believe this?

otessa

Specializes in Med Surg, ER, OR.

I only had one instructor whos shouldn't have been in the clinical setting, but for the rest of the instructors, I would have to disagree with the thought. In some circumstances, I can totally agree with this presumption.

Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

I know of two (Phd prepped) who couldn't do. I wouldn't let them near a stuffed animal.

But they were walking encyclopedias.

Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

As a nurse educator, I am of course biased :) but here is my opinion.

I worked and still work in the ICU. I loved it and still do. I first came to teaching as I realized that while many of my peers did not like having students or orientees, I loved it. It gave me a fresh perspective; a new point of view. It forces you to verbalize what you are doing and why. You must constantly review new evidence to keep your practice current. To me, this constant stimulation of a desire to learn is my favorite part about nursing in general, and education in particular.

I still work regularly on the floor. I can't imagine trying to teach a subject without recent experience in that clinical area. It would be very difficult if not impossible. Care and technology changes so rapidly, as do supplies.

I think much of the drama originates from a few key points: many educators are trained nurses, NOT trained teachers. I received very little "hands on" training in how to become a good educator. I learned from watching my ideal role models, and often, those who were not good teachers. I constantly read journals, student feedback, and modify as needed to improve and communicate better with my students. I am not an expert yet. I have only been teaching a few years. I hope to develop my skills over time, just as I did in clinical nursing.

Another issue: many people think being an educator is not being a "real" nurse. It is. Not only do I still practice at the bedside, but I continue to interact with patients in clinicals, performing the exact same skills and assessments that I did with my own patient load, only now I supervise 10 students, often with several patients each. I have to always ensure that I know exactly what is happening with their patient's care at all times.

Also, there is the dilemma of time. I laugh a little mirthlessly when people ask if I love having every weekend, evening, holiday and summer off. I don't actually have them off in most cases. I am constantly either working in the clinical setting or trying to improve my courses and teaching delivery. It is difficult to maintain expertise in both teaching and in two content and clinical areas at one time.

Teaching is a team effort. It requires the caring and expertise of excellent faculty and of excellent clinical nursing staff. One can't really do the best job of teaching future nurses without the other. There are only so many hours in a week, and although I have years of experience, it is not the same as the nurse who works 36-48 hours each week in that specialty. I can only manage 12 hours weekly as I am also pursuing my doctorate and working full time as an educator.

I love my job and my students. I put so many hours of thought and effort into every learning experience. Like any job, there are times when you wonder if all the effort is worth it and become frustrated. There are times when you watch a student struggle, then the lightbulb comes on for them, and they begin to gain confidence. These times, when your realize that you are a small part of sending someone out into the world who can reach thousands as a nurse, are the most amazing. I have a quote I like that says "Example is not the most important thing in influencing others, it is the only thing." I hope to be a good example to my students of compassion, solid knowledge base, and clinical experience. I definitely fall short at times, but I never stop trying.

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!

I have worked in numerous areas of Nursing and have been decent in all of them. Just because someone has a varied background, does not mean he or she is unsuccessful. Some people get bored easily, some love to learn new things, some need new challenges and grab life by the horns, taking opportunities to expand their repertoire. I'm glad that you do acknowledge that. I'm not sure how you can tell just from voice tone which is the case - incompetence or zest for life. Maybe the key is "seem". Things are not always what they seem to be.

Some people love their work until a new boss or condition arises, maybe in their personal lives. Sickness, deaths of loved ones, other adversities - all can put the light out in someone's heart/eyes/voice.

It's always bad when a teacher can't reach a student or when a student expects or needs something of a teacher that is very different from what the teacher expects and can give. There are mismatches like that. And not everyone can teach. Also, there are so many learning disabilities and so many personalities among students that it is not at all surprising that sometimes mismatches occur. Having taught, I was discouraged and aggravated by the some students I encountered. They didn't believe in attending regularly, coming on time when they did attend, pre-reading, following the dress code, preparing for clinical the night before, and so on. And if you knew the support I did not get from bosses, you would understand better how tough it is to teach and be a great teacher for all students. I had one student who didn't think she needed to learn math and could rely on Pharmacy for dosage calculations. I had to point out that she might work somewhere without 24/7 pharmacy presence, she might work in an area that cooks its own drips, or she might not always have the exact dose she needs. OK, she was a student, she was naive, she is now a great nursing math nurse in ICU. But at the time, she really startled and scared me with that question. I had my work cut out for me. This whole teacher-student works both ways. :loveya:

Gee . . . I hope not. I am working on my MSN so I be a Nurse Educator and I am working full time while I go.

:specs:

Me too-I don't work on the floor anymore but teach in a large clinic system-not planning to teach in a university setting.

otessa

Specializes in Ortho and Tele med/surg.

Well, not all instructors are created equally. Yes, some are just meant to teach and then you will find the ones that are really not that great! I invited my high school teacher to my nursing school graduation because she had such a huge impact on me. So that really says a lot about teachers.

Specializes in Behavioral Health, Show Biz.

ridiculous!

of course, i can and still do

work on the floor

and

i teach!

i don't have a problem

with my colleagues

who choose one

or the other.

each one teach one

is an intelligent motto

for all nurses

whether in the clinical setting

or the classroom.

that's my :twocents:

amen:loveya:

i have heard this quote:

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

do you believe this?

otessa

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