Jennifer Dougherty

NURS-600-11372-201609
November 20, 2016
Philosophy of Nursing Education
Teaching is about making some kind of dent in the world so that the world is different

than it was before you practiced your craft. Knowing clearly what kind of dent you want to make

in the world means that you must continually ask yourself the most fundamental evaluative

questions of all What effect am I having on students and on their learning? (The Ohio State

University, 2016, para 7). I found this statement and feel that it best aligns with my values and

beliefs on nursing education and how they connect.

The constructivist learning theory most closely aligns my approach to teaching and

learning and creates a foundation for my philosophy. Constructivism believes that a students

past experiences as well as their personal cultural beliefs influence their learnings and can draw

from those past experiences and beliefs to assist in gaining future knowledge (Learning-

Theories.com, 2016). Learning that is essentially constructed from the learners past, and not to

expect them to be coming in with a clean slate.

I feel that constructivism in a teaching environment would be that of a very interactive

activity. Everyone would be different, drawing on different experiences and beliefs that can add

to the topic being learned. This would get people more actively engaged and enabling them to

learn from others thus increasing a sense of learning in a more social way. This is all an active

learning process and current knowledge is expanded, and perhaps changed by what is heard from

others, thus building on what was known prior (Billings & Halstead, 2016).

All in all I expect students to give 110% at all times in my classroom. By requiring this, I in turn

will give back 110% at all times to my students. I dont believe in bullying or being irrational

and unfair as I often times felt in my ADN nursing program. I want to create a kinder and

gentler nursing education experience, while still producing exceptional nurses who will make me
Jennifer Dougherty
NURS-600-11372-201609
November 20, 2016
proud of them and take excellent care of patients. One day the patient may just be myself, or a

family member.

(Excerpts of this philosophy was used by myself prior in NSG 602 DQ#1)

References
Billings, D. and Halstead, J. (2016). Teaching in nursing: A guide for faculty (5th ed.). St. Louis,
MO: Elsevier.
Learning-Theories.com. (2016). Constructivism. Retrieved from http://www.learning-
theories.com/constructivism.html.
The Ohio State University. (2016). Writing a philosophy of teaching statement. Retrieved from
http://ucat.osu.edu/professional-development/teaching-portfolio/philosophy/