Revolutionizing nursing education one podcast episode at a time
In an era where digital media reigns supreme, two Linfield-Good Samaritan School of Nursing professors are spearheading an innovative approach to nursing education. Sandra Davis and Mindy Zeitzer are co-hosts and producers of “DeepeR DiviN: NCLEX Hacks with Dr. D. and Dr. Z.,” a monthly podcast transforming the way nursing concepts are taught and understood.
The initial idea for the podcast came at the suggestion of students.
“An overwhelming number of students told me, ‘Dr. D. you need to make a podcast!’ From there, I went to Mindy and said ‘we need to do some kind of a podcast for the School of Nursing,’” Davis remembers.
Created during the COVID-19 pandemic, this unique educational approach aligns important nursing content with the digital preferences of today’s learners. The podcast format invites various members of the nursing community – from faculty and researchers to students – to engage in extensive discussions in a very conventional way. This approach fosters a more relatable learning environment, subtly blending entertainment with education.
“It’s easily accessible and very fun to listen to,” Davis said. “We often hear students quoting things we say or do from a previous podcast and that always puts a smile on our faces.”
“DeepeR DiviN” is recorded in a modest setup in Zeitzer’s office on the Portland campus. The simplicity – a laptop, microphone and basic soundproofing attached to the walls – is a testament to the notion that impactful educational content doesn’t require extravagant resources.
Since going on air, the pair have produced episodes on a wide range of topics, including the latest medical research and ethical dilemmas in nursing practice. Episodes feature guests and experts from various fields to provide listeners with a diverse perspective, stimulate critical thinking and spark interest in areas beyond the traditional curriculum.
“Every single person that we’ve had as a guest, they love it and just want to do it again,” Zeitzer said. “They genuinely want to be part of it.”
Upon receiving a Linfield Faculty Development Grant, Davis and Zeitzer set off to create episodes of “DeepeR DiviN” to evaluate the effectiveness of podcasts as a learning tool. They were particularly interested in the medium’s impact on exam performance and NCLEX test scores. Since September 2022, they have produced 15 episodes.
In addition to providing a new tool for auditory and visual learners, they see their podcast as a resource for educators.
“It’s almost like having a teaching assistant,” Zeitzer said. “The great thing about these episodes is that they ultimately decrease the workload on educators because they can use these podcasts again and again.”
“DeepeR DiviN NCLEX Hacks with Dr. D. and Dr. Z.” is available on Spotify.
