Essential IX:
Master's-Level Nursing Practice
Studying theorist and behaviorist have given me new found passion to articulate how I operate as a nurse and educator. I will assess each situation just as I would a patient and meet the needs at every angle I can.
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I will take all of this knowledge from behaviorist, learning theories, nursing theorist and develop everyone I get a blessing to have contact with. No matter it that is teaching care partners vital signs or developing an open heart course to increase critical care knowledge of a step down unit. Each situation will get my all.
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One ethical student versus faculty situation that I want to speak of concerned a new faculty member and a student who is a Veteran. This particular situation what a power struggle for the new faculty member. She felt that the student did not follow directions. The student felt he completed the assignment adequately. The faculty member has drawn a very large red zero on his paper and told him to redo it. This student became angry and said a few choice words. The faculty member wanted the student kicked out of the program. In the preceptor setting, I was witnessing this interaction between the new faculty member and the assistant dean. When the faculty member left our office my preceptor asked what I thought. Ultimately, I asked a few questions. How long has this faculty member been educating? This was her first complete year. I asked if the faculty member had any management experience prior to becoming faculty? The answer was no. I asked if what the student had completed did in fact meet the assignment requirements, but just was not in the format that was asked for? The answer was yes. My response to the situation was this, I wished the faculty member could have asked a mentor how she should handle the situation before marking the large red zero and demanding a do over. If the faculty member had a mentor to cross reference her situation, she probably could have avoided a situation that could cost the student his spot in the program. Mentoring and precepting are two completely different relationships. A preceptor can show you how to do your work, but a mentor can guide you through your career. I have and have had quite a few mentors over the years. In this particular situation, my preceptor allowed me to discuss with the staff some pointers on dealing with stress and preventing burnout. This is when I knew I had crossed the line from novice to becoming an expert in leadership and education. I have so much more to grow and learn; but I can recognize both sides of the story and where the gaps may be coming from.
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