Home Stretch

This semester has really been a wonderful experience for me. I have learned so much valuable information. I really didn't know how I would be able to handle this class and practicum together. I was worried about how I was going to be able to manage my time. Here we are, on the home stretch and I can't believe how fast the time has flown by. Blogging has been therapeutic for me. I have to admit that I didn't realize how blogging would benefit me at the beginning of the semester. It just seemed like it was going to be another task to remember to get done. Boy, was I wrong! I really enjoy reading others thoughts and being able to share my thoughts with them. I think this is a very vital part of this class, especially since we do not have any in-person classes.

Pressure

Life seems to always throw things in your path when you least expect! I am really struggling to get everything done for this class in a timely manner. My daughter has been sick and she won't let me out of her sight! It has been hard for me to do anything. I have to sneak away when she finally gets to sleep to try to get things done. Talk about tired! I have been going to work with red eyes! I am sure that people are wondering what is wrong with me. I am so glad that I have learned how to work under pressure. I know what needs to be done and by whatever means necessary, I have to make it happen.

We are on the final stretch for this class. How time flies by when you are having fun! This has been an awesome learning experience for me. I have learned things that I am sure will be very beneficial to me as I continue to grow in my nursing profession.

Clinical Concerns

This semester is rapidly coming to an end. I have finished all of my hours for the teaching practicum, and now I can focus all of my attention on this course. I spent the other day with five students who needed to make up a clinical day. Two of those students missed a day due to illness, but the other three were repeating a day because they had been sent home previously with a clinical failure. It really boggles my mind that even with these students knowing that this was their final opportunity to redeem themselves, they still were not prepared. Is that insane or what? I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this type of behavior in the clinical setting with students. These students are consistently not coming prepared to take care of their patients. The pre-clinical paperwork is not being completed and they do not know enough about their patients to care for them in a safe, effective manner.

This concerns me a great deal, especially since these students will be graduating soon and entering into clinical settings. There needs to be a way to set higher standards and expectations. Hospital orientations are not meant to teach basic nursing skills that are expected to have been learned in school. Unfortunately, these are the nurses who are more susceptible to making errors that are potentially harmful or even fatal to patients.

Entry # 12

Last week I assisted with monitoring the classroom during the third exam in the Chronic Course. After the exam was completed, I observed as the tests were scored. I also assisted in reviewing the test items. Out of 65 questions, there was only one that would allow for the accceptance of two answers. I enjoyed the process of scoring the exams and reviewing the statistical data. I wonder if there is a class on ParTest/ParScore. If so, I would love to develop a deeper understanding of that process.

As a whole the students in the class are not doing very well on their exams. The scores seem to be consistent across the board. There are only 2 A's and very few B's. The majority of the grades are C's, D's, and even a couple of F's. It is very concerning when students are not successful in the classroom or in the clinical setting, and that is what I am consistently seeing this semester.

Progress

I have been trying to get caught up on all of my assignments. I got sick this week, so that has slowed down my progress a little. But, there is no time for sickness! I only have 10 more clinical hours to complete for the Teaching Practicum. I will be so happy to put that behind me. That will definitely free up my schedule.

I am trying to complete all of the necessary assignments for this course as well. I had to make a checklist for myself so that I won't forget anything. With so much going on between home, school, and work it is easy for me to forget things. I have found that the checklist keeps me on track!

Almost there!

This has really been an overwhelming time in my life. I knew that it would be busy, but I didn't know that it would be this busy. I wish that I had a little fairy that could clean my house, cook, and do homework with the kids! Wishful thinking, huh?

Well the semester is almost over. I won't be able to breathe until then! It is really hard to try to work, complete practicum hours, and complete assignments all at the same time but somehow I am managing.(Even though I suffer from tired, red eyes from time to time !) I am still trying to get a hang of the wiki page. I am sure that it is really easy, but maybe I need to take wiki 101: a course for the technically challenged student! I have added some information for the group project on the page with a little assistance from my group members. I keep reminding myself that we are almost there!!

This weekend I had the opportunity to attend a pediatric conference. I have been speaking on the issues that I have been having with students in the clinical setting, but this time I would like to discuss a situation with a seasoned nurse. I went to this conference of course to gain insightful knowledge, but I also wanted to observe different teaching styles. One speaker stood out to me. Her presentation was on the empowerment of nurses. At the beginning of her presentation, she made it known that she had to catch a flight as soon as she was finished. She talked so fast throughout her presentation, and I could not tell if she was rushing because she had to leave for another engagement.

During this presentation on empowering nurses, the speaker made several references to her abusive father, abused mother, and alcoholic brother-in-law. She also made a comment that charge nurses are simply "adult babysitter" and that she would never function in that role. All of this was done in a room full of nurses! She even used two curse words! Needless to say, there were a lot of offended people in the audience, and she never really talked about how nurses could empower themselves! This speaker was an advanced practice nurse and author who has been in this profession for over 30 years.

I have learned that different teaching styles and techniques work differently for different people and situations. The most important thing is to keep your audience in mind because you want to be sure that someone walks away with having learned something new. It is very important to meet the needs of your audience.

Week #8

This has been an eye-opening experience for me in so many ways! I am in a position where I can see and feel the frustrations that faculty must have in dealing with the many obstacles they face day to day. There is such a need for more nursing educators, and we are all obviously aware of that fact. It is so frustrating in the clinical setting when you are unable to give all of the students the one on one attention that they need. You generally end up spending the most of your time with those students who are doing poorly and fail to spend enough time with your best students in the group. It is almost like the stronger students are being punished just because they show greater potential.

There are some staff nurses that are really good with the students and they take the time to help them with their skills. There are others who feel like the instructor should be present at all times in order for the student to do anything with the patient. Unfortunately, we know that is not always possible. It also helps when students show initiative and want to learn. The clinical experience is what the student makes of it. It is not the time to read textbooks, study for other classes, talk on the phone, etc.

Week #7

Wow! Time is really flying by! Sometimes, I feel like a boat without a sail! My teaching practicum has been really keeping me busy, but I am learning so much in the process. We had to send a student home today from clinical for sleeping on the unit! She was upset and could not understand why she was receiving a clinical failure for the day. She could not grasp the idea that sleeping during the clinical day was totally unacceptable. This group of students are getting close to graduating. That is not the kind of nurse that I would want to take care of my children or any of my loved ones.

I feel that there is a need for closer monitoring of students in the clinical settings. I was really surprised to find that a large majority of the students could not even perform a basic assessment at a satisfactory level. Educators are at a disadvantage in the clinical setting quite often. Most of the clinical placements are spread out over the hospital, and it makes it very hard to spend quality time with each of the students. There has to be a solution to this problem! Maybe we are the answer!

Week #6

I am still in the process of observing different teaching techniques. With each lecture that I observe, I see different techniques being used. It is very different to sit in a classroom and observe from the perspective of a future instructor. This week was a neurology lecture. My specialty area is Neuro/Neurosurgery, so I was able to give input on the various subject areas as wwell as examples from the nurse's perspective in providing care. I really enjoy attending the lectures each week. It allows me to be more familiar with the specific information being taught in the classroom, so that same information can be put into practice during clinicals.

I also attended a meeting regarding Student Affairs. Nursing electives, changes in the BS curriculum, students with criminal convictions in the program were some of the highlights of the meeting. I really had never thought about students having criminal convictions, but I see that it is a real problem that does exist. It is a problem with the student going to clinicals, as well as taking the NCLEX exam. I am learning something new everyday!!!

Week #5

This week I sat in on the lecture for N4605, Chronic Problems in Pediatrics. I was able to observe a variety of different teaching techniques. The instructor/student interaction was very involved. The instructor made sure to allow adequate time for students to process the information and ask appropriate questions. There was also the use of humor. That seemed to loosen everyone up and personalize the discussion even more. I could definitely see myself using some or all of those techniques, but I would probably limit myself on the humor.

I attended a faculty meeting held at the Houston Campus. That experience gave me an inside look at the different activities taking place at the school that I was not aware of. Some of the infomation was simply need to know, but on the other hand there were some things that needed to be discussed in a forum. The agenda was followed and the meeting was very productive.

I had a really great experience with reviewing the test item analysis for the exam, although I have not taken the Measurement and Assessment course. It really feels great to finally be at this stage in the program. I feel as if everything is finally coming together and making sense.

Week #4

Well, this week has been exceptionally interesting and busy for me. I am in full force with my teaching practicum. It really feels good to be able to put all of the knowledge that I have gained into practice. I am working with the instructors for N4605, and they have been absolutely wonderful. I have been writing exam questions, evaluating test analysis, counseling students, and evaluating clinical performances. WOW!
I am glad that I am working with the students in the BS program, especially since my group will be evaluating that particular program. It will give me the opportunity to speak to the students and faculty that work directly with the program.
I am really juggling between my school/work/family/life schedule! It has been tough, but I know that anything that is of true value never comes easy! So, I just take it one day and one step at a time! I know that I am not alone in this endeavor.

Week #3

Oops! I am actually a day late in entering my blog. So, that should tell you how my week has gone! I have enjoyed the assignments that we have had in unit one. I truly have a better understanding of the differences between program evaluation and accreditation. This was also my first time writing an annotated bibliography or maybe I have done one in the past but didn't know that it was called that :) The discussions have been very enlightening. The information shared has been so useful to me!

Week Two

This semester has started in full force for me. I am in my teaching practicum course, as well. So, I have been trying to get myself organized. I have had to make some adjustments with my work schedule so that I could have a better fit between my school, work, and family schedules. I am now working weekends.

I am getting more comfortable with the blogs. As I mentioned earlier, this is a new experience for me. But I love challenges and new experiences. That is a wonderful way to learn new things!!

Intro

Hi! My name is Kim Bradford. I am a native Houstonian. I enjoy traveling and bowling. I have two wonderful children. Khristopher is 11 and Kailee is 4. I received my BSN from Prairie View A&M University. I have worked at Texas Children's Hospital for almost 6 years. I work in the Acute Care Neurology/Neurosurgical area. I have been a staff nurse, as well as an Education Coordinator for 3 years.In my role as an Education Coordinator, I primarily focused on staff development and performance improvement. I also worked very closely with nursing instructors and students. I am presently back in the staff nurse role to better accommodate my school schedule. This is my very first 100% online course. I am not the most technically savvy individual, but I do know how to utilize the appropriate resources. So, I am sure that everything will work out fine! I am in the Education program at the Houston campus. Following graduation, I plan on initially teaching in an Associate degree program before moving to a BSN program. My instant messenger address is kimbrad.deltadiva@yahoo.com