Beyond the Bedside: The Heartbeat of Hands-On Nurse Teaching
By: Roxanna Stead, DNP, BSN, PHN, RN, FNP, Nurse Educator
June 8, 2025
If someone had told me years ago, while I was managing patients in the emergency room and coordinating care with interdisciplinary teams, that I would one day be guiding new nurses through the rigors of medical-surgical nursing from a classroom, I might have laughed.
Yet here I am: a resolute Registered Nurse holding a Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree and a certification of Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) who currently embraces the position of Nurse Educator, where I am actively engaged in shaping the future of the nursing profession by delivering on-campus education for an Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program. I truly value this position, which beautifully combines practical knowledge and thoughtful guidance. I do not believe I would trade it for any other opportunity, as it holds a special place in my heart.
Why I Teach: Bridging the Clinic and the Classroom
Transitioning from bedside nursing to education was not just a career shift; it was a calling. My experience in acute care provided the foundation. However, my passion for mentorship, clinical reasoning, and witnessing those “aha” moments in learners led me to higher education.
Teaching medical-surgical nursing, one of the most complex courses in any ADN curriculum, is about more than disseminating content. It is about nurturing critical thinking, building confidence, and preparing students to care for real people in unpredictable situations (Benner et al., 2010).
The students I teach are often juggling jobs, families, and personal challenges. Their resilience reflects the very core of the nursing profession.
Why On-Campus ADN Programs Still Matter
In the age of digital everything, some might ask: Why not just move nursing education entirely online? While remote learning has value, particularly for continuing education, on-campus ADN programs are irreplaceable, especially in developing the hands-on, human-centered practice that nursing demands (National League for Nursing [NLN], 2023).
- Real-Time Development of Clinical Judgment
There is a significant difference between watching a lecture on heart failure and actively discussing care priorities for a decompensating heart failure patient. In-person classrooms offer real-time instructor feedback and peer discussion, which are crucial for developing the clinical judgment required for safe practice (Benner et al., 2010).
- Human Connection Fosters Professional Growth
Nursing is an emotionally complex profession. It requires communication, empathy, and presence. On-campus programs foster these qualities through face-to-face mentorship. I see students succeed, but I also support them when they struggle—moments that cannot be replicated in a virtual setting (Institute of Medicine [IOM], 2011).
- Immediate Feedback in Skill-Building
Core competencies—such as inserting foley catheters, nasogastric tubes, or intravenous catheters, and managing IV infusions—must be practiced. The nursing skills lab becomes a safe space where students build muscle memory and receive immediate feedback on their technique and safety protocols.
- Role Modeling and Identity Formation
Being physically present as an educator means I model professional behavior in subtle but powerful ways on how to manage ethical situations, how to communicate under stress, and how to remain compassionate in high-pressure environments. These lessons are often observed, not taught (Benner et al., 2010).
ADN Programs: Underrated and Invaluable
Some may wonder: Why an ADN degree? An ADN degree serves as a vital foundation, a stepping stone toward a BSN, empowering those who want to strengthen their knowledge and deepen their understanding of the nursing profession.
Some may wonder: Isn’t a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) better? The truth is, ADN programs have launched the careers of countless successful nurses, including those who have gone on to leadership, education, and advanced practice (American Association of Community Colleges [AACC], 2022).
What matters is not the letters behind your name, but the competence, compassion, and commitment you bring to the bedside.
ADN programs are intensive, focused, and can have a student career-ready in two years, providing an accessible path into the profession at a time when the nursing shortage is critical (American Association of Colleges of Nursing [AACN], 2023).
My RN Background Brings Depth to the Classroom
As a Registered Nurse and holder of a Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree, I have cared for patients across the lifespan—from managing chronic conditions to addressing acute emergencies. Bringing that real-world knowledge into the medical-surgical classroom transforms textbook material into tangible, relatable scenarios.
We do not just discuss heart failure, we also cover its presentation, key monitoring points, how to interpret diagnostic results, how to intervene appropriately and how to evaluate interventions. I also emphasize holistic care, helping students move beyond “What is the diagnosis?” to “Who is the patient?”
Teaching Future Nurses in Challenging Times
Our profession has faced unprecedented challenges, staff shortages, and public health crises. And yet, every semester, I meet students who are eager to enter the field, driven by a desire to help.
That is why I teach. Not because it is easy, but because it is essential. Students need instructors who bring clinical reality, emotional intelligence, and educational rigor to the learning space. They need to see that “Nursing is not a job, it’s an adventure”!
Final Thoughts: Seeds of Excellence
There is no greater joy than watching students at their pinning ceremony, with bright smiles lighting up their faces and tears of happiness in their eyes. It is a beautiful moment where they can truly celebrate the incredible journey they have taken together! They came in with doubts and challenges—and left as competent, compassionate professionals.
Teaching is not just about content delivery. It is about planting seeds, nurturing growth, and celebrating transformation.
I have gone from bedside to whiteboard—but in both spaces, I am still caring, guiding, and making a difference.
Dedication
This post is dedicated to a Director of Nursing with whom I share the month of November, and whose unwavering support, kind words, and inspiring leadership have reignited my passion for writing and education. Thank you for lighting a fire within me and encouraging me to use my voice again. Your influence is far-reaching and deeply appreciated.
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2023). Fact sheet: Nursing shortage. https://www.aacnnursing.org/news-information/fact-sheets/nursing-shortage
American Association of Community Colleges. (2022). Community college nursing programs: Impact and opportunity. https://www.aacc.nche.edu
Benner, P., Sutphen, M., Leonard, V., & Day, L. (2010). Educating nurses: A call for radical transformation. Jossey-Bass.
Institute of Medicine. (2011). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/12956
National League for Nursing. (2023). The role of associate degree nursing programs in addressing the nursing shortage. https://www.nln.org
