MAGDALENA SUAREZ

What a great idea Christine. I've been in this profession for more than a decade but i never did it.

Christine Dyer

I think it's a good idea too. It will give the instructor some insight as well as help to focus the student. I'm also thinking of taking pictures of them to help me remember who's who because I'll only see them every other week.

Barbara Roces

That is a great idea Kathryn. By asking the students to list their goals it will enable them to focus on what really is the essence of becoming an RN.

Mable Everette

Thanks for the feedback. It will help in my organization of my presentations for the course that I am teaching.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Hi Mable,
A method that I have used with much success is the use of structured outlines and graphic organizers. The students gather the information presented by the lecturer through the structured outlines and thus they know what are the key content areas that will be used in a clinic setting. Then through the graphic organizers they observe the clinic setting and fill in the cells or bubbles on the organizers in a sequential manner so they see the application between lecture content and clinic application. This gives them an order to follow as they develop their skills in clinic settings.
Gary

Mable Everette

I do not teach clinical courses. As a lecturer, what kind of preparation would be expected from students when trying to apply lecture content to the clinical setting?

Juan Arredondo

Great; this can motivate students to think about their future and the huge responsibility they have towards patient care.

Kathleen Atchison

Thanks for that insight. I will be taking LVNs into the clinical setting for the first time this upcoming term. I was focused on care planning, team leading, and IV management as the big differences. I will definately consider what you've said about assessment when working with them. Would be happy to know any other insights you think are helpful for a new instructor to take into consideration regarding transitioning from the LVN to the RN role.

kathryn doyle

That is a really good point. LVN's tend to be task oriented whereas RN's are focused towards assessment skills. I have spoken to many LVN's in RN programs who stated they never realized how difficult patient assessment was until THEY had to do it. I feel that an emphasis placed on time, efficiency and management within the scope of patient assessment is a vital part of training for the LVN becoming an RN.

Kathleen Atchison

I like what Dr. Meers wrote about perception. I think this would be a great way to discover the LVN's perception of the differences between their role as LVN and their desired role as RN and their thoughts on how to best move toward the RN role. The only problem might be that they don't know what they don't know... yet. On that note, it would be fun to go over these goals again at the end of the term and discuss.

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

Hi Kathryn,
This is a very good idea. It serves two purposes, one it helps the students to focus in on the course and why they are there. As you well know many of your students arrive in the classroom without a real clear idea of what nursing is all about and what they want to do within the nursing field. This will help them to be clear on what they can expect from the course, the field and themselves.
Secondly, this process will give you an idea of what the students are perceiving as being the course. You can then plan activities related to the goals of the students in concert with what you have already prepared as course content.
Gary

Michael Malone

Hi yes I know thats a great thing to do, It bring revelancy to the students work in class, Go for it!