What makes a good nurse great? Is it only the ability to use knowledge, clinically reason, and complete all required tasks to advance the plan of care? Does being a skilled technician and knowledge worker fully capture the essence of what it means to be a professional nurse?

It is not what the nurse does, but the attitude and spirit that gives its value, worth, and significance.

Though the nurse educator has a different scope of practice then a bedside nurse, this same principle needs to also be lived out by educators.

In addition to the right  “spirit”, there are three timeless principles that capture the essence of the intangibles required not only to be a great nurse, but also a great nurse educator.

The right motivation, your desire to serve students, and returning to your first love of teaching.

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Like most in education, I did not go into it for the money! Ten years ago I was at a crossroads in my life, pursue my masters degree to become a nurse anesthetist and make six figures or do what I really enjoyed doing at the time, mentoring and teaching other nurses in practice.

The following quote from Christian author John Eldredge jumped off the page and changed the direction of my life. He wrote:

“Don’t ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and do that. Because what the world needs are people who have come fully alive” (Eldredge, 2001)

Recognizing my true passion and desire to teach and how it made me come alive, I instead pursued my Masters in nursing education and have not looked back since!

Motivation Matters

In the infancy of the modern era, influential nurse educator Isabel Hampton Robb who founded the American Nurses Association, the American Journal of Nursing, and what would later become the National League for Nursing recognized the importance of internal motivation to serve and care for others by those who wanted to become nurses.

She wrote the following in her textbook for students, Nursing Ethics (1900):

 “The spirit in which she does her work makes all the difference. Invested as she should with the dignity of her profession and the cloak of love for suffering humanity, she can ennoble anything her hand may be called upon to do, and for work done in this spirit there will ever come to her a recompense far outweighing that of silver and gold.”

What led you to become a nurse educator? Do you have a similar spirit to serve your students because of your love and care for them as well as the profession?

Power of Serving Others

I have seen some nurses in practice who feel that because they now have their nursing degree, some tasks are beneath them and will wait until the nursing assistant is available to meet certain patient needs.

In a similar way in academia, do you feel that because you have your masters or doctorate degree that certain aspects of your position are beneath you?

In his life on earth and despite his position of ultimate authority, Jesus clearly communicated by his example the power of selflessly serving others. He stated, “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Mathew 20:26).

The measure of your greatness and what you accomplish in this life is not based on your title, position of authority or degree, but how well you consistently serve students and those around you with humility.

Return to Your First Love

Depending on how long you have been in academia,  do you remember that first love you likely had for teaching that attracted you to become a nurse educator? But time, stress, and incivility by students and faculty have a way of taking their toll and stealing your joy.

It is not uncommon for educators to lose their first love for teaching and now are merely going through the motions. This is another reason that can influence the lack of the pursuit of excellence in nursing education that I discussed in last weeks blog.

Regardless of your faith tradition, the example of Christ puts this principle in perspective.

While on this earth Jesus was asked a very important question. What is the most important commandment. In response, Jesus answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Mathew 22-37-39).

But this love for God that is foundational to authentic faith can also fade over time and be replaced with tradition and going through the religious motions. That is why in Revelation, Jesus cries out to the church to return from duty to delight:

“But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first” (Revelation 2:3-6).

In a similar manner, when your first love for teaching is restored, excellence and passion quickly follow as you do the “deeds you did at first” which will positively influence everything you do in academia.

It is not how much you have been published, or what you said or done in academia that will define your legacy. But it will be your love and passion for students, people, patients, and the profession that will impact the hearts of your students long after they graduate.

In Closing

Though contextualizing content to practice and integrating clinical reasoning are required to bring needed change and transformation to nursing education, this in itself falls short.

It is imperative that every nurse educator live out and embody a passion for nursing and teaching with a heart of serving because you love what you do.

Embrace the power of your lived example to transform your content by integrating your passion, your desire to serve your students well, and returning to your first love of teaching.

When this is lived out, students will be able to see and role model the intangibles of what it means to be a professional nurse in practice.

When educators return to their first love and pursue excellence by utilizing the best practice recommendations from Educating Nurses, complete and holistic transformation of nursing education will become realized one department at a time!

Comment question:
What have you found to be the biggest barriers to live out these principles as a nurse or nurse educator? What have you done to restore your passion and first love?
Comment below and let the conversation begin!

References

Eldredge, J. (2001). Wild at heart: Discovering the secret of a man’s soul. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

Hampton Robb, E. (1900). Nursing ethics. Cleveland, OH: E.C. Koeckert.