Nurse educators are in the unique position to be able to inspire
their nurses to become extraordinary, motivate them toward
excellence, and support them in their efforts to provide better
care. In doing so, educators will be in the position to transform
patient care to higher levels and act as a catalyst in the careers of
their nurses.

To become a transformational educator requires patient and persistent
self-development and constant attention to detail in your teaching
activities. Business author John C. Maxwell uses the acrostic
B*E*S*T to describe the essential components that will bring out the
best in your nurses.

B Believe in them. Regardless of what you think their real
motivation is, always believe that your nurses are there because they
want to provide extraordinary care. When you start treating people
as if they were motivated by higher standards, most will start to
live up to those standards. It is human nature that many nurses will
fall to the lowest level that you expect of them; so make that level
extraordinary, rather than satisfactory.

E Encourage them. Find more reasons why they can do it rather than
why they can't. Many people have been told their whole lives that
they can't do certain things, so they have come to believe it. I
can't tell you the number of nurses who tell me they are "bad test-
takers" during our certification review classes. Nobody is
intrinsically a "bad test-taker." It is a skill, just like starting
an IV. It takes practice, not intrinsic ability. In what ways can
you be more encouraging?

S Share with them. If people can see how you've overcome
limitations, they can see how they might be able to overcome their
own too! Look for similar experiences in your past that you can
share with students to encourage them to take the leap of faith into
resolving some of their own issues that may be keeping them from a
more successful and enjoyable career.

T Trust them. Although it is true that some people are motivated
only by their own self-interest, most nurses are interested in doing
what's right and helping other people. I try to always assume that
other person is sincere and give them my full trust. Will I be let
down? Sometimes; but I will always be disappointed if I don't trust
people at all. I've chosen a position that leaves me open to being
hurt or disappointed, and I know that. It isn't naïve, it was a
conscious choice. The benefit is that many times people will rise to
the occasion and surpass their own expectations, which results in
personal growth. Trusting gives the other person permission to be
responsible and to grow.

Try integrating these four concepts into your teaching style. You
may find, as I did, that a nurturing approach is very effective at
developing personal growth in your nurses and motivating them to
achieve higher levels of patient care.

Message from my mentors: "Whether you think you can or think you
can't - you are right." ~Henry Ford

Best wishes,
David W. Woodruff, MSN, RN-BC, CNS, CEN
President, Ed4Nurses, Inc.
www.Ed4Nurses.com
www.dwoodruff.com