Motivating students — carrot or stick?

ABSTRACT:

Motivating students who are progressing through the Diploma in Veterinary Nursing – both within the practice and the further/higher education setting – can be challenging and rewarding. Students frequently become demotivated during the learning process; but what is motivation, and is it an instinct or a learned behaviour?

Understanding and utilising the different learning styles of students has a positive impact on their motivation. By exploring different approaches to teaching we can encourage students to enjoy the learning process, to participate actively in developing their own learning agreement or plan, and this can ultimately result in the student developing a habit of lifelong learning and professional development.

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Samantha Morgan

Samantha Morgan

CertEd DipAVN(Medlcal) DlpAVN(Surglcal) RVN

Samantha qualified as a veterinary nurse in 1999 and has worked in both referral and general practice. Between 2003 and 2008, she gained both the Medical and Surgical Diplomas in Advanced Veterinary Nursing. In 2010, she was awarded a Professional Certificate in Education (CertEd). Sam is now a director of Abbeydale Vetlink Veterinary Training which is an independent veterinary nurse college in Monmouth. She is also the executive editor of the VNJ as part of her responsibilities on the BVNA Council.