Learning Styles Of Students Are Experienced Nurses For A Leadership Course

For years, there have been many theorists who have shared their views on how individuals learn. Such research has determined that individuals have different learning styles. It is important for teacher to understand the learning styles of both themselves and their students because it helps them to relay the subject knowledge to the students. The teacher is in a position where they must be able to assess the learning styles of their students. This means that the students and teachers are both in a process of learning.

In this essay I will discuss the leadership style of 3 nursing leaders, which I chose from Nursing Leadership DVD (Orazietti & Singh, 2014). I will then describe impact the leaders ' style has on improving nursing care, organizational processes, and inter-professional collaboration. In addition, I will provide some examples of a change process or difficult situation which leaders encountered. Finally, I will explain how I have dealt with difficult situation involving my colleague and one of physician in the hospital department where I worked. Throughout this essay I will analyze what leaders should have done differently. 3 Leaders which I have chosen were Debra Bournes from group 1 because of her political and administrative success, Mina Singh from group 2 because she is renowned for her educational style at York University, and Esther Green from group 3 because she is the sound and knowledgeable practitioner.

As the demand for nursing education grows and with the rapidly advancing roles of nursing, educators need to stay up-to-date. “Theory-based practice provides nurses with a perspective” (Parker, 2006, p.28). With the comprehension and use of educational theories, nursing educators can support student knowledge and development into practice. These theories are outlines of cohesive concepts and principals that describe, explain, or predict how people learn. Every one learns differently and as an educator you need to be familiarized with and open to the use of one or more combinations of theories to successfully teach adult learners in this ever changing health care system. This paper will highlight the use of Constructivist Learning Theory and its application to nursing practice.

Nursing students today are diverse with different learning styles. Nursing educators must shape students to become critical thinkers and there are a host of approaches for instructors to develop needed teaching skills (Kostovich et al., 2007). There are many models of education styles; one to fashion teaching after is from Kolb’s model in 1985 which suggests matching learning methods to teaching approaches. However, educators need to become proficient in identifying individual student learning styles. Nursing educators should also recognize their own teaching style and the effect it has on learner development and socialization (National League for Nursing, 2007). The National League for Nursing (NLN) has developed eight core

Students have their own best way in effectively learning the lesson. With the diversity of students, the problem is each student has a preferred learning style. It becomes undeniably one of the reasons that make it difficult to achieve the best expected outcome out of teachers’ effort. However, teachers try to incorporate various teaching techniques to make every learning opportunity become productive, meaningful, and relevant for the learners.

I really had no idea what is was to be a nurse or let alone the responsibilities, the courage, and the determination it takes to not only complete nursing school and to continue to face the challenges of being an active nurse in the healthcare community. This leadership course and the clinical experiences I have had, provided me with an opportunity to grasp nursing beyond the what is taught at school. Understanding what it really means to be a nursing leader and the qualities of what a nurse must really equip him or herself on a daily basis are edifying. The purpose of this paper is to share with readers the valuable lessons I have learned and leadership qualities I have gained from several experiences, in addition to, how I will continue my journey and accomplish my goals as a future nursing leader.

“Just as students have different personalities, they also have different ways of learing (Slavin, 107).” Learning styles are another important factor to incorporate when implementing the best learning environment. Learning styles are defined as an individual's mode of gaining knowledge. The most common learning styles addressed are auditory, visual, and kinesthetic. Auditory leaners understand information through hearing. Visual learners need more visual aids in the learning process, such as diagrams, webs, or pictures. Kinesthetic learners learn better by using manipulatives or by being physically involved in the learning process. Learning styles is a piece of the “backbone” of differentiated learning. Both are used to individualize instruction to help students achieve the most success.

Learning can be defined as the process of acquiring knowledge or skills through experience, independent or collaborative study, and teachings under guided instruction (Fisher & Frey, 2008). One of the most efficient processes of learning that promotes progressive knowledge and skill development is a process that focusses on learning styles (Weaver, 2010). √ The key term ‘learning style’ can be described as the preferential mode a learner adopts when gain knowledge or skills (Honey, 2006). There are a number of different versions of models and frameworks that can be used to help a student nurse to identify their own personal learning needs (Sherwin &Stevenson, 2011).√ These include Kolb’s (1984) Experiential Learning Cycle, Gibbs' Reflective Cycle (Gibbs, 1988), and Johns’ and Carper’s model of structured reflection (Johns, 2009). √By using these tools a student nurse can identify their learning needs and may consider it beneficial for the student to undertake further methods of analysis such as Honey’s (2006) The Learning Styles Questionnaire which is based on Honey and Mumford’s Learning Inventory (Honey, 1982). The Honey and Mumford inventory is a compilation of descriptions used to categorise learners based upon behaviours and attitudes. These categories include activist; reflector; theorist; and pragmatist (Honey, 2006). √ An understanding of learning

Nurses have different certifications that permit them to perform different duties. LPN’s, Associate Science RN’s, Baccalaureate RN’s, Master of Nursing, DNP’s, and PHD’s perform different roles.

As a nursing student, I have had great success forming therapeutic relationships with my clients and have received positive feedback from clinical instructors about my patient communication. However, I experience uncertainty when interacting with peers or colleagues. My lack of confidence translates into difficulty forming effective professional relationships. This assessment is reflected in my Clinical Leadership Survey as a deficit in the leadership practice of Encouraging the Heart. This practice includes behaviors such as recognizing contributions, celebrating accomplishments, and providing feedback (Patrick, Laschinger, Finegan, and Wong, 2011).

Education is another avenue to enhance better leadership skills. As noted by Casida & Parker, years of experience and educational levels beyond baccalaureate degrees are antecedent variable that can positively influence nurse managers to be transformational leadership leaders. Maboko (2012), recommends that leadership development should be emphasized in nursing curricula, especially at the post-basic level. It should be a core module for all post-basic nursing training. Attracting nurse managers who possess graduate degrees and supporting advanced education among current nurse managers may be a worthwhile investment compared to the costs associated with staff turnover.

Participating in this course has enlightened me on a lot of information regarding managerial and leadership skills in nursing, such as conflict management skills, performance appraisal, staffing, time management, etc. I’ve realized the relevance of this information as a nurse as I go about my duty as a nurse daily. After reading the assigned article and watching the video on QSEN, I also came across pertinent information which is applicable as a nurse including Patient Centered Care, Team Work and Collaboration, Informatics, Evidenced Based Practice, Quality Improvement and Safety.

The thrust of Jonathan Drennan's article is that the masters in nursing should be (and presently is in many cases) linked to leadership training.

We are faced with many different learning experiences. Some of these experiences have made a better impact than others. We can attribute this to our learning style. A person’s learning style is the method through which they gain information about their environment. Research is going on all over the world to help explain learning styles. To me, it is our responsibility to learn about these different learning styles so we can appeal to every type of learner in our world. Howard Gardner has elaborated on the concept of learning style through what he calls “multiple

In regards to the Parker’s learning style profile and “Explanation,” I have become aware of the different ways a person can lean and remember information. It explains the concepts of learning and outcomes, we were asked to complete a task of inputting our own range of learning styles into his calculated model of learning styles, entitled, “I learn and remember best by…” This is a great way for teachers to effectively communicate to understand the diversity of the student body. Instead of taking an approach based on the curriculum with a one- size-fits-all approach, the text shows us why it is a necessity that we improve our teaching strategies with a much more sophisticated sense of how to drive and provide fulfillment to all students