Katelyn's Path to a Nursing Career

Lesson Content

• Lesson Plan Template:

  CTE Lesson Plan

• CTE Course Info and Benchmark Notes

  
  

  Course Information:

  Career Cluster: Health Science

  Program Name: Practical Nursing

  CIP Number: 0351390101

  Course Name: Comprehensive Nursing and Transitional Skills

  Course Number: PRN0690

  Course Type: Clock Hour – Career Certificate

• Unit Outline

  
  

  This lesson is designed to be used with the case study "Katelyn's Path to a Nursing Career." CPALMS resource ID # 222037.

• Career Connection

  
  

  This lesson helps students build industry content knowledge by teaching them how to present themselves professionally, not just on paper but also in person. Mock interviews prepare the student with common questions asked during interviews and begin the thinking process of their core values. Mock interviews will help with self-confidence, maintain calmness under pressure, and even negotiation skills. This will also provide the student with possible rejection, how to stay focused, being adaptable, work on their body language, and how to be an active listener.

• Learning Objectives

  
  
  • Write a professional cover letter that supports why they are a good fit for a position in the nursing field.
  • Create a professional resume for a position in the nursing field.
  • Speak professionally in an appropriate manner and communicate well during a mock interview.

• Prior Knowledge

  
  

  Students should be able to explain/ understand:

  • How body language can portray something different than what your words may indicate.
  • A basic concept of composing a professional letter.

• Guiding Questions

  
  

  What is the importance of presenting oneself as a professional in writing and communication?

• Procedure

  
  
  1. To introduce the lesson, choose one of the following ideas to review interview and resume concepts.
     • Provide students with a professional letter that has errors and ask students to find the mistakes. Use the attached Unpublished Cover Letter with Errors. Discuss the mistakes the students found and have them offer corrections to those mistakes.
     • Offer the students the following prompt: "What would be considered professional attire for an interview?" Allow time for students to discuss the prompt with a partner before coming back to a whole class discussion.
     • Introduce key items that would need to be on a resume. For example, skills such as being dependable, job experience, accomplishments and certifications.
  2. Provide the case study, "Katelyn's Path to a Nursing Career" (see CPALMS resource ID # 222037). Allow time for students to individually read and annotate the case study.
  3. After the students have read the case study, discuss the following questions as a group.
     • What information would Katelyn want to have before deciding on where to work? ·
     • What could it mean that there is a high turnover in staff at Douglas Memorial Hospital?
     • What job would you choose?
     • What would be the deciding factor for your choice of job?
  4. Next, provide students with both of the attached job postings.
  5. Allow the students to review the postings with a partner.
  6. The students will then choose a job posting and then create a cover letter for the job they wish to "apply" for.
     • Guide students to focus on the overview of the position (what the duties and responsibilities would be) and what skills are needed for the position. Students will then write to explain why they are a good fit for that position.
     • While creating the letter, discuss with the class how to improve clarity and professional language to represent themselves best. If students need guidance, display the attachment for the proper format of the cover letter. Discuss with students how it is structured, the tone of the letter and how the author coveys that they are the best fit.
  7. The students will also create a professional resume for their "application." A sample resume (see attachments) can be provided to guide students through basic formatting and structure. Students can also use resume templates if they want to try a different style.
  8. Lastly, students will participate in mock interviews with each other and then be interviewed by the instructor (optional). Provide the students with the following questions before they begin the interview process or have other questions prepared before the class to hand out.
     • Questions for the “employer”
       • What inspired you to become a nurse, and how do you see your career evolving over the next five years?
       • Tell me about a time you disagreed with a colleague or a team member. How did you handle the situation, and what did you learn from it.
     • Questions from the “employee”
       • What does your orientation program look like for new graduate nurses, and are there opportunities for mentorship or additional support during the transition to practice?
       • What opportunities does the organization provide for continuing education, certifications, or career advancement for nurses?
  9. Have the students submit their professional letters to the teacher for review and suggestions. Teachers can use the attached rubric if this is a graded assignment.
  10. To bring the lesson to a close, ask the following future of work reflection questions.
      1. How will practicing interviews help prepare them for real interviews?
      2. What would be appropriate attire for a nursing interview? (Scrubs, professional attire, etc.)
      3. What could be some other questions that the employer or employee could ask at an interview?
      4. How would you act in an interview where they asked personal questions?
      5. What would you look for if you were looking to hire new employees?

• Teacher Notes

  
  
  • This lesson plan may be completed in two or three class periods as needed
  • Students will need to work in groups of 2.
  • There are two job postings, one for an assisted living facility and one for a hospital (see attached).