I'm really lucky to be a teacher. I try to teach by encouragement, not by intimidation. There is no time when a student harboring self-doubts is more sensitive to criticism, warranted or not, implied or actual. It's not hard to motivate students. You just have to be very organized and show them that you respect them.
Students come first at a university.
Teaching is always challenging. I believe it is important to integrate theory and research into clinical teaching. And real-life experiences in the community are important to help put the students' nursing skills to work. I also believe that students must learn to work together on projects, even though it may be difficult at first. I teach medical students and residents in pediatrics, family practice and psychiatry, and other physicians and nurses statewide about how to deal with child abuse.