Using andragogy, or adult learning principles is a viable approach to teaching nursing students, who understand that education is key to getting ahead.
What exactly are adult learning principles? According to Ryan Tracey in the article “Adult learning principles? Shminciples!” on informit.com.au, andragogy is the teaching of adults. According to Tracey, there are five main points to andragogy. These five assumptions of adult learning include: adults bring life experience with them, adult learners are self directed, adults are ready to use their newly found knowledge in the real world, adults seek immediate use of their knowledge, and internal factors influence adult learning.
A Viable Approach

Regarding the field of nursing, andragogy is a viable approach to teaching. Most nursing schools across the nation are competitive in regards to entrance, therefore the majority of the nursing students are eager and willing to learn nursing concepts, and would not go through the rigorous selection process required to get into nursing school if they did not have the desire to learn. The instructional approach of andragogy is employed with the use of teaching students to do nursing care plans because it forces them to think for themselves and anticipate different patient outcomes, learn how to evaluate patient learning, and implement creative interventions.

Getting Ahead in Life

Most adults want to get ahead in life and understand that learning a new skill, or gaining an education is the way to do it. Nursing students as a whole are ready to learn the skills necessary for functioning as a nurse in society. The nursing student must first be taught the proper way of performing a task, and then it is up to the adult learner to practice until that skill is able to be performed in a safe manner. Therefore it may be said that the majority of nursing students are self-directed in certain aspects of their learning.
Life Experience

Adults learners can be motivated by internal factors and bring life experience to the table when learning a new skill. Adult learners, especially those in the online environment, are usually motivated to finish their work, and would have to be self-directed in order to meet assignment deadlines.

An Adult Perspective

The incorporation of andragogy can only be used up to a certain point. With nursing students, the content often seems foreign, such as learning assessment skills, and students need reinforcement with learning nursing skills. Andragogy will only go as far as the adult learner will. If the adult learner views a subject as being mandatory and doesn’t desire to learn the material, or is not self-directed, then the instructor must vary their instructional design. Also many adults have multiple things going on in their lives so they want instructions short and to the point.
Summary

There are arguments both for and against andragogy. In order for andragogy to succeed in instructional design, learners must be motivated, and be willing to delve into the subject matter themselves. Self-directed learners would be more willing to value learning and put it to good use. Andragogy would be a difficult concept to include in a teaching plan if the learner is not self-directed or interested in learning.