Coauthored with Kathy Sitzman

of Utah's Weber State University, the textbook uses art to teach

nurses, especially novice nurses, the often daunting task of learning

Rogerian theory and 22 other nursing theories. Eichelberger and Sitzman

open a creative side to nursing theory - one that makes learning a little

less daunting, and a lot more innovative.

"We know from educational

psychology and pedagogy that we turn many students off with only one or

two types of traditional teaching styles," said Eichelberger, who

conducted a six-year study of Clayton State health science students and

found that 80 percent preferred "right brain" creative teaching

to traditional instruction. "We wanted to make theory come alive

for them."

Eichelberger's textbook has

also been adopted by Clayton State Associate Professor of Nursing Dr.

Astrid Wilson for use in the University's entry-level health sciences

courses.

Continuing in the vein of innovative

teaching, Eichelberger recently received and accepted an invitation to

give the luncheon address at the International Society of Rogerian Scholars

Annual Symposia. Her topic, "Using Art to Teach Theory," was

well received.

"It was overwhelming!

The elite of nursing theory were at this meeting and they were so positive,"

said Eichelberger of the outpouring of support at the symposia. Eichelberger

recalled a Japanese nursing theorist who praised her use of origami, an

Emory professor who applauded her use of mandalas as a teaching tool,

and a Columbia University professor, who, impressed by the presentation,

suggested that Eichelberger present at a theory seminar she was coordinating

at New York University over the summer.

What's her favorite innovative

teaching style for nursing theory? Eichelberger especially likes using

mandalas, circular designs prevalent in Christianity, Buddhism, and nature,

to illustrate midrange theories.

Eichelberger teaches Interactive

Communication, Organizational Transitions, and Informatics electives at

Clayton State. She has been a nurse for 28 years, is married and has five

children. Creative even outside of the classroom, Eichelberger enjoys

French hand sewing, smocking, and knitting. She is also Internet savvy,

managing a popular international nursing theory website through which

she met her textbook coauthor, Sitzman.

To learn more about Eichelberger's

textbook and how it can change the way beginning nursing students learn

theory, visit https://nursing.jbpub.com and click on "Understanding

the Work of Nurse Theorists: A Creative Beginning."