"As a nurse educator, my philosophy is to meet the assorted educational needs of my students. To achieve this I will use a diverse teaching approach and facilitate an atmosphere which expands the student’s competency through skills and knowledge. In providing a student centered learning philosophy, students will be held accountable to be an equal part of their own education and in return learn to be part of a team dynamic. By being a facilitator and not a supplier for education, I will create an exciting and stimulating classroom. This technique is created through group discussions, writing assignments, sample case studies, team collaboration and other facilitating techniques.
I will participate in scholarly activities that improve the teaching, research, and practice of nursing that is significant to the profession. I will participate in institutional services through various committees. I will also partake in professional services by joining association committees: Michigan Nurses Association, Michigan Educational Association, and Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses. Lastly, I will attend specialty conferences, professional development meetings, and continuing educational seminars which will increase teaching knowledge and skills.
As a nurse educator I want to support future nurses who will provide evidence-based practice to their patients. My goal is to increase the knowledge, skills, and attitude of future nurses. Being an expert nurse and nurse educator, I will utilize my professional experiences to educate students to apply critical thinking. I recall being the naïve nurse 15 years ago. I will strive to work with students at this same level helping them advance through Benner’s (1984) stages of clinical competence.
I will exercise the Transformational leadership theory by James Downton (2015). This theory uses a team centered approach when interacting with individuals. This will enable a solid relationship between all students that promotes trust. Once trust is established, students will have a sense of motivation to learn knowing they have a large part in their education. Transformational leadership will promote an inspirational attitude and charismatic personality making students feel like they belong to nursing. I will exercise Jean Watson’s Human Caring Theory. I will strive to have a moral commitment and an authentic connection to my students. I will show love for others, I will be kind hearted, and I will provide help to all in need: professionals, students, patients, family members, and strangers.
As a nurse educator, I will establish professional boundaries. I will build professional rapport with each student, assisting with professional concerns. In assisting in professional concerns, I believe, creates a better nurse in the student. If a student reports a personal concern, every effort will be made to refer the student to the appropriate professional. Students have the potential to report personal concerns in a professional setting. If I can direct the student to someone who can assist, I believe the student will have the potential to continue learning. My personal goal as a nurse educator is for student nurses to provide the best evidence-based care to patients. Seeing a patient feel better because of a nurse’s caring attitude is a nursing achievement. As a nurse educator, hearing student nurses report positive changes made with a patient, confirms I have succeeded as a nurse educator."
~Kristie Bruesch MSN, RN
Benner, P. (1984). From novice to expert: Excellence and power in clinical nursing practice. Menlo Park: Addison-Wesley, 13-34. Spahr, P. (2015). What is transformational leadership? How new ideas produce impressive Results. Retrieved from: http://online.stu.edu/transformational-leadership/ Wagner, A. (2010). Core concepts of Jean Watson’s theory of human caring/caring science. Retrieved from https://www.watsoncaringscience.org/files/PDF/watsons-theory-of-human-caring-core-concepts-and-evolution-to-caritas-processes-handout.pdf