This has certainly been a stimulating assignment and learning module. Identifying my own personal philosophy in nursing education was challenging. As I began to organize my thoughts, I realized that my beliefs on this subject are actually quite well formed. Nursing education, as well as all education, should be treated and guided using principles which I will outline below.
In a nutshell, I believe the first step to improving all education in this country is to treat it as the diamond that it is, not something simmering on the back burner of our social priorities. Other countries are passing us up in education because they are giving education its proper priority of being first place, of being all important. When education becomes funded like we fund our military, we will likely see vast improvements in the quality of college graduates we are turning out, including nursing graduates.
Secondly, from kindergarten on up, there must be a balance of structure, discipline, and reflective thinking, or "rationality" as Immanuel Kent called it. Currently discipline has largely been stripped from our schools in the name of not abusing the children, but the pendulum has swung too far; now it is the teachers being abused, and the students run wild. This MUST stop, and a reasonable balance obtained in order to regain control of our classrooms, and the quality of our public education. Smaller class sizes, increased teacher salaries, and more personal one on one dialogues which encourage rationality and reflective thinking between students and teachers will also go far to improve our educational system.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, teachers and educators must show through human interaction that they are genuinely interested in, and caring of our upcoming student generations. All educators, not just nursing educators, must instill confidence, positive energy, mutual respect, encouragement, empowerment, and most of all love to our students. Think of the teacher that most influenced you growing up. Didn't they impart to you these qualities? Did you feel important, confident, encouraged, valued, worthwhile, loved and respected after interacting with them? Sure you did, that is why you remember them. We need to copy that!!
I'm excited about this educational journey I have embarked on. I'll see you at the top!
Best regards to all.
Robin Martin
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Reflection on Healthcare - Privilege? or Right?
This study module was very interesting an thought provoking. Although I came to know some time back that the United States is the only industrialized country to NOT have a national healthcare system in place to which all are entitled, this study module really brought that close to home. I have long felt that all U.S. citizens should have access to at least basic healthcare. As a caring nurse, I deplore the fact that it is not so in our country.
For many years we have enjoyed the highest standard of living in the world. How most other countries can see that healthcare should be a right and ours does not is beyond me. It seems quite inconsistent with our American way of life, values, and political beliefs. We send many billions of dollars overseas often, to help other countries, and yet there are so many citizens in within our shores that cannot access even basic healthcare.
Just think how one of us would feel if we were ill, chronically ill, had no way to provide for our families, and had no way to get better because we had no way to get the healthcare we desperately needed? We don't really think about it that much - until it happens to us. Then our world comes crashing in and the reality sets in on just how dependent we are on good health - after it is gone. We then wonder at the cold indifference of our society to our plight, and the country we call home that is famous around the world for championing human rights and freedom.
Part of our value system in the United States is to be "secure in our person". How secure can we be if we cannot depend on receiving basic care when we are ill, to restore us to health? It becomes an illusion, and the values that we champion as a people empty rhetoric! President Obama's new healthcare reform may not be everything it needs to be, but doggon it, at least it is a step in the right direction.
If you have thoughts to share on this subject, please feel free to jump in. I would love to hear what others also have to say.
Best regards,
Robin Martin, RN, BSN, LNCC
For many years we have enjoyed the highest standard of living in the world. How most other countries can see that healthcare should be a right and ours does not is beyond me. It seems quite inconsistent with our American way of life, values, and political beliefs. We send many billions of dollars overseas often, to help other countries, and yet there are so many citizens in within our shores that cannot access even basic healthcare.
Just think how one of us would feel if we were ill, chronically ill, had no way to provide for our families, and had no way to get better because we had no way to get the healthcare we desperately needed? We don't really think about it that much - until it happens to us. Then our world comes crashing in and the reality sets in on just how dependent we are on good health - after it is gone. We then wonder at the cold indifference of our society to our plight, and the country we call home that is famous around the world for championing human rights and freedom.
Part of our value system in the United States is to be "secure in our person". How secure can we be if we cannot depend on receiving basic care when we are ill, to restore us to health? It becomes an illusion, and the values that we champion as a people empty rhetoric! President Obama's new healthcare reform may not be everything it needs to be, but doggon it, at least it is a step in the right direction.
If you have thoughts to share on this subject, please feel free to jump in. I would love to hear what others also have to say.
Best regards,
Robin Martin, RN, BSN, LNCC
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