What do you do when you don’t like (or don’t understand/benefit from) your professors’ teaching style? Remember this: nursing school is temporary! If you continue to be a lifelong learner (and you should)…you will eventually have a professor that doesn’t see things the way you do. It will be okay. Just don’t lose your cool about it. I realize you are paying for an education and you expect to get what you pay for BUT there is also a thing called ‘academic freedom’ and that means your professor is in control of the class and can present the material in any way he or she feels necessary.
So, when a student doesn’t see ‘eye-to-eye’ with a professor’s teaching style the complaint is typically: “my teacher isn’t teaching me anything”. And if the professor doesn’t provide any type of outline or traditional lecture/notes…yikes! the panic begins. It’s understandable but do not waste precious time trying to change it. Instead try these tips:
- Thoroughly answer EVERYcourse/unit objective.
- Answer the objective using the Nursing Process. Put yourself at the bedside every time you answer the question. You must remember the concept not just the facts.
- Read everything the professor assigns.
- Even if you can only skim some of the information, at least, put your eyes on the material.
REMEMBER: Nursing isn’t about memorizing everything…most information needs to be learned as ‘concepts’
– not facts. - Take notes in class.
- Even if you can only write down the topics discussed. For example, GI distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Then later follow that disease/symptom, etc through the nursing process.
- Think like a nurse.
- Ask yourself, “How would a nurse take care of this type of problem/condition/situation?”
- Answer as many NCLEX style questions about the objectives as you can.
- Don’t just learn the answers to the question…learn why the answers are right or wrong. NCLEX study books are excellent at doing this. Find one that works for you. Also, your textbooks will usually offer example test questions – answer all these.
- Form a study group.
- Chances are – you are not the only student in class with this issue. Form a group to study with BUT remember
it is best to go to the group after a fair amount of studying has already been done. Then you can quiz each
other, review, etc.
Okay, nothing new here and everything I just listed is actually something you should do for every exam. BUT if you don’t feel you’re getting enough from your lecture you may have to do this more thoroughly on your own.
There is one more thing…if you discover your professor isn’t providing you with objectives or isn’t spending time in class on the objectives found in the syllabus…you can always take the issue up the chain of command. Starting first with your professor! If you do this, do it in a professional manner. Don’t whine or complain. Bring legitimate concerns with actual examples to the professor. Ask for direction and let him/her know what you have tried. Read your student handbook, college catalog
and any other information provided to make sure you are following the correct channels.
Nursing school is a challenge. Hang in there and one day you’ll look back and be amazed at the amount of knowledge you gained, even from the professor who, ‘didn’t teach you anything!’
Have a great semester!
Reference: Prior experience/Author’s opinion
