Tuesday, September 2, 2008

SEMESTER # UNO

Well, Its week number 2 of graduate school and I still have a smile on my face. Although the first week was complete chaos, I am now feeling the calm after the storm and am starting to get into the groove of things. I am already noticing the subtle differences between a baccalaureate program and a masters program. When I was working on my BSN it was very intense, and very structured. There was no veering off the nursing track, and no entertaining of new ideas or though processes. So far my classes, although very time consuming, are pretty laid back with lots of discussions, papers, and presentations. Opinions about particular subjects are welcomed by all and are discussed by many. Each teacher encourages each individual student to think out of the box and use their own critical thinking skills to formulate new nursing theories while incorporating them into their practice. This semester I am taking Advanced Pathophysiology, Advanced Role Development, and Advanced Educational Process for Nurses. Although each of these classes encompass their own challenges the Advanced Education class has been pretty challenging for me. Never have I, ever have I, taken any sort of educational class. I have always known that along with my Nurse Practitioner degree that I also wanted the freedom to be able to teach upper division nursing. So along with my FNP degree I will also be working on obtaining my certification to teach. Along with that certification comes many classes on basically, how to be a teacher. My first assignment for this class is to quote, unquote:

"come up with an imaginary college, then come up with a nursing class that you would like to teach. Once nursing class is decided upon make syllabus for that class including, class overview, class goal, class objectives, outline of class, week by week schedule and so on. Next make a power point presentation (because you will be teaching this class to you peers), along with conducting a 100 question test that will be formulated by you (me)."

WOW, I could not believe she was serious!! I can talk to about the role of cell membranes and nuclear receptors in determining the response to hormones all day long, but coming up with a syllabus?? Sheesh!! If anyone has in words of advice please send them my way.

3 comments:

Krista said...

I think you should try and find one from your bach. to use as a layout for the one you will have to make. Also I am sure one of your teachers from Cumberland would be a great resource to use. Your my hero for going back to school and working and being married and a bently's mommy! You rock!!!

Anonymous said...

Tiff i too am so very proud of you! I'm sure that you are stressed but i know you are going to do great no matter what! You are a very intelligent hot mama and you are going to rock this Master program!!! Loves you!!

Wesley said...

Thats awesome your going back to school! Congrats, You will be a wonderful FNP and teacher! Take care