First time teaching
I am starting my first teaching job as a nursing instructor. I am excited and looking forward to the challenge, but at the same time I am nervous.
The teaching experience I have is patient teaching in a hospital setting and teaching nursing students indivually when they are rotating through my department. What are some words of wisdom for a new instructor who has never taught in a classroom setting with students? What are some ways I can overcome some of my nervousness?
Hi Michelle,
I am starting to teach LVN soon. I have my great foundation of knowledge and skills, had been a RN for almost 20 years. However, I have never taught before. I have a big question mark in my head and will have to do some planning on how to spend my 8 hour class with my students during skills lab. This is what I am dreading that hopefully there will be no moments of silence.
Hi Donna,
Great advice that you gave Michelle. With your extensive career experience and great attitude I know you are going to be highly effective with your students while demonstrating to them what a model in the field should look like.
Gary
Hi Michelle,
I like you am also starting a first time teaching nursing instructor position, my rotation will be in pediatrics. I feel very competent about the knowledge I have in this field, I have 17 years in ambulatory pediatrics through public health. I will have only five students once a week for their peds rotation on the hospital floor.
Since my expertise is in public health I have had to extensively review pediatric procedures that are used and done in the hospital setting. Yes, I am apprehensive about my ability but I am sure that after the first day things will settle down. I look back at my own experience in nursing school and will try to incorporate in my teaching the positive qualities I liked about my own excellent instructors.
I am very thankful that I will only have 5 students with 8 hours of time in which to make sure that I spend quality time with each of them. Overcome your nervousness by being reassured that you have the experience and knowledge for the position you were hired for and take one day at a time, Good luck!
Hi Michelle,
Be prepared. Realize you have a wealth of experience and that are helping students create a future for themselves. By realizing the importance of your task you will start to see your mission and the nerves will be reduced.
Start your class with some introductions and ice breakers. Let the students get to know each through these activities while you get a feel for the class.
Look at your curriculum and identify different ways you can present the material. This will help to keep the students engaged and you relaxed as you go through the course. Don't be afraid to just a take deep breath now and then if you feel like you are talking faster and faster (a common problem with nerves). Look around the class and then start again.
As you move through this course you will be receiving a number of strategies that will help you to be prepared and less nervous so as you are working through the other modules in this course be sure and apply what is being shared in them.
If you have any specific questions or if I can be of any additional help to you please let me know and I will help in anyway I can.
Gary
