A manager’s perspective on being a Clinical Teaching Scholar

Clinical Teaching Scholar (CTS) Paul Wright has a particularly unique perspective on the Clinical Teaching Collaborative.  As a member of the inaugural CTS class in June 2009, he was moving toward something he always wanted to do - teaching new nursing students.  And now, as a unit manager, he sees the value from another angle.

"It was an unbelievable opportunity for me," he says of his CTS class over a year ago.  "I had only been a nurse for three years when I applied to the program.  To have the chance to take the course and then to teach nursing students on units where I already knew the patient population, I had their diagnosis in my back pocket and I had a trusting relationship with staff, was so beneficial."

Paul taught two groups of eight Mount Royal University students in both the fall 2009 and winter 2010 semesters on his home units of 100 (stroke), 111 and 112 (neurology) at Foothills Medical Centre.  Second year student Courtney Milton says there were many advantages to having Paul as her instructor. "He had a positive influence on the unit's nursing staff and they all respected him.  By having Paul teach on the unit that he was most acquainted with, we were able to take advantage of his neurology knowledge base. He knew so much about nursing care for neurological patients. He was an important resource when I was faced with difficult or unfamiliar patients, symptoms and conditions."

Paul agrees that the ability to teach something you know so well gives you a tremendous amount of confidence and not just with the students.  In fact, he credits his CTS experience with helping him land his current position as Unit Manager, Tertiary Neuro Rehab at FMC.  "You are seen as a leader and you definitely gain respect from your peers.  It all contributes to a sense of pride that you have achieved what you have."

Now Paul is encouraging his staff to apply for the latest course.  "Staff can play a huge role in furthering the success of the student, but they are also furthering their own sense of accomplishment and career objectives."

The current Expressions of Interest closed October 1^st.  The next course runs the end of November.