Ms. Anoop Masih is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Child Health Nursing at the NRI Institute of Nursing. She completed her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from the Academy of Nursing Science and Hospital.

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Being a Faculty of the Department, what are your roles and responsibilities towards the students?

Being a faculty member of the Child Health Nursing Department, my role and responsibility towards students are multi-layered. My primary duty is to prepare students to be paediatric nurses, or Childcare Experts, who play a vital role in the healthcare of children. They are responsible for providing care and support to infants, children, and adolescents, as well as their families, in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, clinics, and private homes. I also work at identifying the core competencies of the institution, developing a strong teacher-learning environment, and preparing an overall comprehensive development plan for academic, administrative and infrastructural growth. I also help the students foster excellence in curricular, co-curricular and extracurricular activities.

How do you tend to establish healthy relations with the students and fellow faculty?

To establish healthy relationships with the students, we have to create a positive atmosphere in the classroom. Happy students mean happy and engaged learners. We interact with students responsively and respectfully while also offering them help in achieving academic and social objectives. We also help students reflect on their thinking and learning skills. For faculty members, I strive to be understanding and always be there when they need me.

How do you try to bring in a practical approach towards subjects and make it industry-oriented?

To bring a practical approach to studies, I encourage students to participate in learning activities, take them on educational tours and demonstrate concepts practically in class or outside the classroom. We use innovative and creative materials in the classroom for teaching, give projects and assignments related to the syllabus and conduct innovative games in the classroom. We also provide general instructions and protocols to the students on experiments while also creating a learning environment for students in laboratories.

What are the best practices offered by the department to the students which help them gain the necessary skills?

The best practices offered by the department to the students would be the holistic health practices, innovative teaching and learning methods we use to teach . We also have healthcare interventions, procedures or techniques based on high-quality evidence in order to obtain improved patient and health outcomes.

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How do you strategize the curriculum and how often it gets updated to make it befitting for the students?

Our strategy to update our curriculum involves adjusting it to the vision, objectives, and needs of the students. We begin by identifying and using state-of-the-art teaching and learning resources, modern classroom technology and different visual aids. We also motivate our students to take up research projects. The college also ensures that current affairs related to the nursing field are shared with the students to keep them competitive.

What are your views on the placements and higher education of the students from your department or How does your department prepare students for higher education?

Our college provides intense placement training and mock interviews to prepare our students to be able to secure any job they aspire for. Past students have been able to find immediate placement in state-run hospitals and private multispecialty hospitals. Our students go through intense clinical experience before they graduate, which prepares them for employment in higher education. 

How do you help your student to cope up with the competition being so high in the outside world?

We have several extracurricular activities that are aimed at polishing and fostering communication and interpersonal skills in the students. During the academic year, we have events and competitions for music, dance, drama, sports, cookery, arts, and crafts. There are also projects and model exhibitions that students can engage in to enrich their learning and grow into well-rounded individuals. 

What are the challenges you faced/ are facing to uplift the quality of education of your department?

Nursing education does face numerous challenges. Our biggest challenges are faculty shortages, clinical placement availability and technology integration. Nursing education needs to keep pace with rapidly evolving healthcare technology for which we need investments to bring in updated equipment and curricula. Diversity and inclusivity are another issue we need to address. Ensuring that nursing education programs are diverse and inclusive is important to reflect the diverse patient populations they will work with.

When you came to the college, what was your vision and how are you trying to achieve the same? 

When I first joined the college, my vision was to contribute towards educating the students and helping them become successful and skilled nurses. To achieve this vision, I make sure to read, keep learning and maintain proper notes to better teach my classes. I make it a point to do demonstrations for clinical knowledge, conduct practicals, and field visits, and invite experts for special lectures and classes. Our students also do presentations, and project work to practice their skills.

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How does the curriculum of your department/college ensures the best practice of the industry?

We constantly update our curriculum according to industry developments. We continuously conduct research and take feedback from industry experts on the changes in the industry. These changes are then carefully reviewed by the Board of Studies and approved by an expert panel of the Academic Council to be included in our curriculum.

How does the college enhance the skills of the faculty and prepare them according to the industry standards? 

Institutions can also provide opportunities for faculty members to engage in research, attend conferences, and participate in professional development programs. Professional development programs are an excellent way to enhance faculty members' teaching skills, research abilities, and pedagogical approaches.

What do you see the department’s/ college’s greatest strengths and how it can be enhanced?

Our greatest strength is having a student-centred approach to everything we do. We foster critical thinking and promote research activities among students and teachers. We make use of our geographic location to send our students for training sessions at hospitals. We also maintain a wide network of alumni who help improve our curriculum and placements.

What valuable advice would you like to the students for them to have a prosperous career ahead?

As a nurse, I do have to offer some advice to those considering nursing as a career. Research the different types of nursing roles available, such as bedside nursing, advanced practice nursing, and nurse leadership, to find the best fit for your skills and interests. Develop strong communication and interpersonal skills, as nursing often involves working closely with patients, families, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams. Stay informed about current issues and trends in healthcare, as nursing practice is constantly evolving. Consider the potential impact of shift work and long hours on your lifestyle and personal commitments.