The following is a 10 minute, in-person interview with 15 year Registered Nurse turned nurse educator, Mrs. Shelly Brice. The interview consisted of just a few pointed questions pertaining to the strategies and theories that Mrs. Brice has found most helpful in her career. I was looking for any wisdom she might be willing to share with me as I endeavor further into my nursing career. Highlights of what she shared are:
Currently, I am learning a great deal about gauging learner motivation and using it to inform your practice. How have you been able to do this and still ensure healthcare outcomes?
It has not been easy! For the most part, nurse educators have to be alert and present. In many ways, we are just as much psychologists as we are nurse practitioners. I try to consider many factors including the individual’s personal goals and priorities. In addition, I am a firm believer in positive reinforcement. This entails acknowledging the learner’s efforts and giving them the personal space necessary to meet their own goals. Sometimes the best motivator is a feeling of personal accomplishment and empowerment. I always try to steer my learners back towards their over-arching goals and consider the best approach to get the desired outcome.
Are there any theoretical frameworks that you have used over the years that have helped you in this effort?
I find that the Roy Adaptation Model has been very impactful in my career. It harmonizes with my personal beliefs and philosophy of nursing. Sister Callista Roy taught that people are always attempting to adapt to interactions taking place within both their internal and external environments (Phillips, 2010). The human system is always seeking balance in the face of environmental stimuli (Roy, 2009). It’s a holistic view of human beings and can help nurses nudge patients towards compliance as well as help learners through a lesson. As educators we must be attuned to the cultural considerations and self-concept of learners and work with them toward positive choices that balance both their wants and needs to achieve our intended outcomes.
What advice would you give to someone like me, just starting out?
My advice would be to continue to talk to those with experience in the field, but also find your own comfortable approach to nursing. There will always be theories and tactics that speak to you louder than others. No that there is never really one path to achieving results. Traditional methods such as lectures, group discussions, demonstrations and are great, but times are different. Think outside the box. Technology has given us more educational tools that engage learners in new and interesting ways. Never spoon feed information and answers – encourage critical thinking. Be open to alternate points of view and allow learners to give you feedback. Not only will it aid you in becoming a better educator, it can help you with your assessment of whether or not the teaching-learning process has been effective.
References
Phillips, K. D. (2010). Sister Callista Roy: Adaptation model. In M. R. Alligood & A. M. Tomey (Eds.) Nursing theorists and their work. (7th ed., pp. 335-365). Maryland Heights, MO: Mosby.
Roy, Sr. C. (2009). The Roy adaptation model (3rd ed.) Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
