Topic 1: Discussion Question 1
Read Lake and von Baeyer's article, “Tips for Successful Students." Also, review the characteristics of a successful student as explained in the lecture.
As you consider these, which is your strongest characteristic? Why? How will this characteristic help you to become a successful student in your program of study?
I have always said that I am responsible for my own education. We only get out of school what we put into it. The instructor is there to present the information and provides a framework for understanding. It is my job as a student to fill in the spaces with my own understanding. I can clarify my understanding by asking questions, which I am poor at doing, and by doing research, which I do very well. I am not a good questioner. So, I really feel that my strongest characteristic is my responsibility and accountability.
The best instructors I’ve had are the ones deemed “intimidating”. The same is true for my work environment. The best leaders were always a little scary to me. But once I got past the intimidation factor, I found that they actually had the most things to teach me. And that is when I would ask questions!
Secondary characteristics that will help me be successful are my time management and note taking. I am forever writing things down. I find that if I hand write something, there is a connection between the writing of the information and my recall of it later. So if I want to remember something, I write it down. That tends to save me time and trouble later. This is true in both the classroom and my unit at work. My note taking allows me to manage my time better on the floor. Because I have written down what was said in report, who has dressing changes and who needs focused assessments, I am more likely to be prepared with all supplies needed when I enter a patient’s room. That alone, being prepared, has saved me so much time when working that I find I have more time to chart and can get out on time. Which management just loves!
There was one line in the lecture that really struck home for me when I read it. It states “Values public service and altruism over personal financial gain.” Several of my nursing friends, spread across the country, just had a discussion about this on Facebook last week. So many of us do what we do because we cannot picture ourselves doing anything else. I, for one, continue to go to work each day knowing that this could be the day that my heart breaks. Or bursts with pride. I am a rehab nurse, and I currently have three hospice patients. I am humbled by my patients who choose me to be the one that they talk to about how they feel as they face their own mortality. The trust placed in me is priceless. You cannot get into this work for the money, because you cannot put a value on the trust placed in us as nurses.
Lastly, I want to say that I have taken several online and hybrid classes in the past and they are my absolute FAVORITE!! I do very well in this environment, so if any of you are struggling, message me and I will help you all I can!