Alexis Zehler
My Approach to Teaching and Learning
Teaching in a highly rigorous program with the goal of preparing students to obtain licensure is best described as prescriptive but exciting. Our goal is to create generalist nurses who are competent and safe in providing care to any type of patient with any health concern. I teach a specialty nursing course that I am deeply passionate about, and it’s invigorating to immerse the next generation of nurses into the dynamic world of health care. Engaging in SoTL (Scholarship of Teaching and Learning) research has allowed me to identify best teaching practices, create new learning experiences, and incorporate student feedback and individual needs into their curriculum, helping them master knowledge applicable to all areas of nursing. Active learning practices that challenge students the most, such as high-fidelity simulation, often lead to the greatest gains in critical thinking, reflective practice, and confidence. By incorporating these active-learning opportunities and examining their impact on student outcomes both inside and outside the classroom, we are preparing our students to be resilient and eager learners who exhibit excellence in their nursing careers. The value placed on making the classroom a student-centered environment, as well as the dedication of faculty to student success, is a combination that creates a graduate who feels well-prepared for practice.
My Teacher-Scholar Journey
Preparing new graduate nurses to be successful in a demanding and ever-changing health care environment is an immense responsibility that nurse educators take pride in. Their success does not only rely on their competence and ability to provide compassionate care, but also on their resilience and confidence in their clinical judgment. Utilizing technology to provide realistic, low-frequency, high-acuity patient scenarios through high-fidelity simulation experiences supports students in their ability to “think like a nurse,” in a controlled and safe environment. In my time as Miami faculty, I have championed the integration of evaluative simulation throughout the nursing curriculum and examined how student outcomes are impacted, including National Council Licensure Examination success. With many hospitals having limits on what students can participate in, simulation serves as a teaching method where faculty can guarantee the same learning experience for all students. Student feedback is gathered each semester, and simulation is continuously revered as one of the most impactful and meaningful learning experiences they participate in. Evidence-based practice is a pillar of nursing care, and evidence-based education methods are no different. Having the opportunity to engage in SoTL research better informs my teaching, allowing me to provide the best learning environment and resources to my students.
Knowledge is Power
“It is humbling to know that I am an expert in my field, and yet will always have more to learn. As an educator, I strive to try more, know better, and do better. Miami’s investment in teaching excellence supports faculty in delivering dynamic, engaging, and meaningful learning experiences so that all students have the opportunity to thrive.”
Education
M.S.N. Sacred Heart University
B.S.N. Miami University
More About Me
As Miami alumnae turned faculty member, I have a unique perspective. The B.S.N. curriculum taught me how to be a nurse, but the faculty taught me how to be the kind of nurse who makes a difference. It’s one of my greatest accomplishments to do the same for my students.