MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — Dr. P. Joy Maramba, DNP, RN, CNE, a nursing educator for nearly three decades, got her first taste of teaching earlier in her career than most.
“As an undergrad in the nursing program, a couple of my professors created a one-hour credit independent study position as a teaching assistant because I was just shy of being full-time,” said Maramba, a Clinical Education Associate Professor in the Adult Health Department at the WVU School of Nursing.
Although her responsibilities were limited to grading basic assignments for students only a couple years behind her, she found it interesting to see her professors’ expectations and see the assignments through a different lens.
“The moment that truly sparked my interest came when a faculty member had a family emergency and I was asked to lead her small group discussion,” Maramba said. “While I felt completely nervous — me, an undergraduate student with zero experience, stepping in for a doctorally prepared faculty member — once the discussion began, I realized how much I enjoyed helping students connect ideas.”
She said being just a bit further along in the program helped, too, as the discussion seemed relatable and the students seemed comfortable to engage.
“I was so certain this is what I wanted to do that the evening of graduation I completed my application for a master’s in nursing education,” Maramba said.
She finds teaching rewarding for many reasons, including when students experience those “aha” moments when a concept makes sense, as well as seeing former students succeed — confidently caring for their patients at the bedside, pursuing graduate education, or ascending to leadership roles.
“I make no secret about my not being a particularly strong student and because of that, I can appreciate that there is not a one size fits all approach to teaching and learning,” Maramba said. “I try to meet students where they are and explain concepts in ways that help them understand.”
Another especially rewarding part of her career as an educator has been the relationships and collaborations formed with colleagues and students.
“That sense of connectedness is such a huge perk of teaching.”
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MEDIA CONTACT: Wendy Holdren
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Nursing
304-581-1772; wendy.holdren@hsc.wvu.edu