The rapid changes and increased complexity of todays world present new challenges and put new demands on our nursing education system. There has been a growing awareness of the necessity to change and improve preparation of nursing students for productive functioning in the continually changing and highly demanding healthcare environment. In confronting these challenges it is necessary to consider the teaching strategies adopted for effective teaching learning process. Students being the important stakeholders, their perception regarding different teaching strategies is an important area to explore.
Role of Nurse Educators
Professional role modelling is key component in educational arena, where teachers serve as best role models for the students. It serves as a primary way to impact students search for meaning, purpose and value in their personal and professional life. Students perceived about their faculty approach as role modelling. Some studies have been conducted on different aspect to explore the students perceptions about the nurse educators& role.
Sheahan J (1981) conducted a study to determine how British nurse tutors and nurse learners perceive the role of nurse tutor in the field of general nursing. A survey questionnaire was the method of inquiry used. The sample was drawn from 11 schools of nursing in one Regional Health Authority in England and comprised 317 nurse learners and 93 nurse teachers. Data from the questionnaire were analysed using statistical technique of factor analysis. In particular the learners data were used to derive factor scales relating to aspects of the role of the nurse tutor. Twelve such factor scales emerged from the factor analysis of the data. Agreement was found between the learners and the teachers on four of these factor scales and disagreement was found relating to the remaining eight.
Gullespie M & Mefemdge B (2006) explored and analysed the role of nurse educators in Higher Education Institution. The study critically reviewed the evidence related to the role of nurse trends in an attempt to identify key concepts and ideas, assumption, supporting examples and the implications for their role. The findings concluded the role of nurse educator as a dynamic one that need to engage actively in the need of the student, both local and global demands. Further nurse educator must ensure that students become competent, professional,& knowledgeable and caring in their approach.
Dorris (2009) conducted an exploratory study to assess GNM Nursing students perception of faculty role models. Data was collected through semi structured interviews from 15 representatives of all three years of diploma programme. The study findings revealed participants in the study mentioned their disappointment with the ambiguity in their faculty as role models. While the faculty reinforced students to be equipped with the expected knowledge and demonstration of discipline, they themselves did not follow the same. The findings revealed that professional role modelling needs to be encouraged with the provision of appropriate mentoring and continued education of nurse educators. Participants strongly felt that though the nurse educators are well equipped with clinical skills, they lack in clinical and classroom teaching skills.
Students Expectation from Nurse Educators
Teaching is difficult task even under the best educational conditions and the expectations of students make what is already a hard job almost impossible with the current educational scenario.
William Glasser (1990) said,Any method of teaching that ignores the expectations of students is bound to fail. Students& expectations from nurse educators have no limits and vary from student to student and course to course. Nurse educators must be ready to fulfil students expectations starting from physiological, psychological, social, intellectual and theoretical to clinical competency modes.
Physiological Expectations: Physiological or physical expectations specifically focus on physiological problems faced by students. Its true if a student is healthy, his/her efficiency increases in all areas of activity. The physiological expectations nurse educator should understand are:
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