What stood out to me most from the video was the reminder that as nurse educators, we are just one part of the student’s larger learning journey. I appreciated the emphasis on creating a psychologically safe environment, where students can make mistakes, reflect, and learn without the fear of being judged. It made me reflect on how important it is to shift students’ mindset from viewing clinical placements as a test to seeing them as meaningful learning experiences. I also liked how the speakers emphasized constructive feedback as a conversation, not a final verdict. It affirmed that my role is not to evaluate for the sake of passing or failing, but to help students move forward and gain confidence in their developing skills.
One of the main challenges I faced in my first year of teaching at Dr. Yanga’s was finding the right balance between being honest and being kind. I noticed that some students would shut down or take feedback very personally, even when my intention was to help. It was also tricky at times to adjust my approach depending on the student, some were very receptive, while others needed a softer, more encouraging tone.
Over time, I learned to be more intentional with how I gave feedback. I started by asking students how they felt about their performance first, and that opened the door for more honest and respectful conversations. I also focused more on what they did well before gently pointing out areas for improvement. Giving feedback became less about pointing out errors and more about partnering with them to figure out how they could do better next time. Little by little, I became more confident in my approach, and I saw how students became more open and reflective because of it.