5 /5 Marissa Laipsker: Original post date: March 29, 2023
This review is written by a 2nd level RN student at Jersey College. My RN journey was not a smooth trip from the start. In fact, I am a second time student at this institution. The reason I feel it’s important that I share this piece of history is for perspective students to 1. Not be discouraged by failure 2. Understand the necessity in learning from past mistakes and 3. Always assess your progress so that you’re aware to change your methods as needed- meaning, if you weren’t successful in achieving a goal, don’t change the goal, change your path to the goal.
When I was readmitted to the program a little over one year ago, I began taking the Nutrition course. Our original Professor went into labor during the second week of the term and Professor Collazo, now the current Dean of the Melbourne campus stepped in to teach the class.
This required some adjustment on our parts, as students. It’s important to be flexible and able to adjust accordingly because that is what is required of Nurses in all aspects of the profession.
Firstly, when a professor is able to teach material from scratch, you know that person is intelligent, experienced in the clinical setting and highly qualified.
Secondly- when a professor can break down information so that you are able to relate the information to realistic experiences and everyday life- the professor knows the material so well they are not bound to the textbook and therefore are able to create a more understandable, interactive lecture from which students are able to retain facts while actually understanding the theory behind them. (In the long run, this is vital for a comprehensive nursing education)
Thirdly- In order to be successful in any nursing program- students must understand that 60-80% is what we bring with us- 20-40% will be obtained from your professors. 60-80% of what you bring is obtained in your own time- it all starts with the basics- Nutrition, A&P, Patho, Micro are the building blocks of the foundations of your nursing education. Your outside effort begins on day one. This includes being present for lecture, mentally being engaged in lecture and participating by asking the right questions to clarify your understanding as well as expand your knowledge-base.
If you are not putting in the amount of effort required of you as a nursing student- you cannot expect to be successful no matter the program or professors. At the end of the day- you get out what you put in.
Professor Collazo, Dean of Melbourne Campus, instilled the most valuable lessons I will ever learn as a student.
I learned that an educator behind “hard” on you is often testing your capabilities. What you may see as “being hard on you” is actually building up your strength. If you shy away from it, you’re doing a disservice to your own education. When something is difficult, you must keep at it and Professor Collazo is someone who will work with you until you master the information that you once saw as difficult. I will reiterate that 60-80% is what you bring WITH YOU on a daily basis.
My current mentor and past professor also taught me how to logically bypass my personal roadblocks. He was able to guide me through personal difficulties so that I could stay on track within the program.
So much of our success is based on what we do regularly and what we change when a change is needed. If you are unwilling to adjust and make necessary changes, do not expect to be successful.
No Professor will be able to teach or guide you 100% unless you are coming in prepared and willing to do what’s necessary of you.
Before writing off a program, a professor or faculty member as having failed you… ask yourself if maybe you actually failed yourself.
If you feel that’s the case, you’re already on the right track to getting back on your feet. Self-awareness is key to being able to make changes to improve future outcomes.
Stay focused, push yourself into what is most difficult and don’t look in any direction but ahead.
