Dear Future Students

The proverbial teaching toolbox.

Dear Future Students,

            Once upon a time, there was a nurse who believed that all nursing education was just as she had experienced.  It was the 20^th century, and it was dull and dreary, full of lecture and passive learning.

            One day, in the fifteenth year of her nursing career, the nurse decided to go back to school, to learn how to become a 20^th century nurse educator.  But because fifteen years had passed since the nurse had been in school, it was a new age in nursing education.  It was the 21^st century, and it was bright and exciting, full of active learning and student-centered teaching strategies!  The nurse was so relieved to find such a bright future awaited her, where she could bring her creativity and her love of nursing to the classroom, to grow the next generation of caring, competent and holistic nurses.

            My dear future students, this has been my journey so far.  With every passing week, I am developing innovative ideas for student-centered nursing education.  With every passing week, my teaching toolbox expands with strategies that are active and engaging, for the traditional, hybrid and online classroom.  We will have games, simulation, discussion, reflection, technology, and so much more.  My dear future students, I am almost ready for you, to guide you on your own journey in nursing education.

Technology in the 21^st Century Classroom

I encourage you to take a moment to watch this video, How to Use Technology in Education.

          This is one of the better videos I have viewed on 21^st century classrooms and technology.  How do we meet the needs of the 21^st century learner?  Technology is not the sole solution.  We must look at the whole picture, including learning styles and other teaching strategies.  On the other hand, technology needs be integrated into the whole curriculum and applied in ways that are meaningful for learning.  Integrating technologically-enhanced teaching strategies aids the movement away from fact-based learning, into a deeper, higher level learning and development of critical thinking skills.

Transitioning to 21^st Century Nurse Educators

Finally, for the future nurse educators, I leave you with three links to help you transition into your new roles:

          From Janice Petrella Lynch (2016), Sage advice: Motivational teaching strategies for nurse educators.  This is a conglomeration of wisdom for nurse educators around the world.  There is a lot of great advice here!

          From Penn, Wilson & Rosseter (2008), Transitioning from Nursing Practice to a Teaching Role. This article from the ANA is for nurses considering a role in education and gives a great overview of nursing education in the 21^st century.

          From LinkedIn SlideShare, (2014), Nurse Educator Interview Questions.  This slideshow gives an overview of what to expect on your first interview for a job in nursing education.  (I am saving this link for me!). 

Until my next adventure,

Crystal