nescobedo.RN

Hello everyone, I am looking for reviews/critiques of my personal statement for Duke University's Post Master Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Program-Oncology Concentration. Any feedback you can provide me will be greatly appreciated. Submit a 1-2 page, statement indicating your objectives in undertaking graduate study, your special interests, plans, and your strengths and weaknesses in your chosen field. You are encouraged to describe significant life experiences that have contributed to your development, such as, honors, activities, and accomplishments that make you a unique applicant. My journey into the nursing profession has given me great satisfaction and fulfillment to know that I play such an integral part in the lives of my patients. My desire for knowledge and self-improvement is constantly attested by working alongside physicians and nurse practitioners in several settings; consequently this has created a yearning to expand my nursing knowledge and role as an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP) with an oncology concentration. In my years as a registered nurse I have treated patients at different points along the disease spectrum; shocked at diagnosis, frustrated during the complications, devastated at relapse, and hopeful for survivorship. With these experiences I have gained an understanding of the natural evolution of these disease processes and the toll it takes on the patient both physically and emotionally. As such I have worked diligently to validate my knowledge in cancer nursing and have achieved the designation as an Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN). I constantly strive to provide compassionate care and am extremely interested in end of life issues. Advanced nursing practice will provide me with further professional knowledge and experience to diagnose, prescribe, and manage the overall care of a patient while improving the quality of life of patients and their families. This unique relationship with the patient and family together, combined with the knowledge of the AGNP is what has driven me to select this advanced specialty. Through my experience in acute care and ambulatory settings, I have seen that most physicians do not have the time or resources to fully educate patients about disease process and treatment options. I strive to maintain a deep concern for patient well-being and feel it is paramount to treat each patient with respect and empower them by listening to and responding to their questions, educating them to make informed decisions and making them feel at ease. One of the best feelings I have had in my clinical practice has been when a patient or family member expresses their gratitude to me for taking the time to listen to their questions and truly explain a process or treatment plan. This is the most rewarding aspects of nursing in any specialty, but I believe will be especially so in oncology practice due to the special personal and emotional circumstances surrounding a diagnosis of cancer. As someone who has always been goal oriented, I am looking forward to advancing my nursing career. My education and experience have prepared me to deal with many obstacles and have instilled my values of determination, resilience, strength and caring. Cancer treatment has been marked by cycles of soaring expectations followed by equally deflating disappointments. As healthcare providers we may lose, but we do not quit. We do not quit and continue trying again, seeing one more patient, answering the phone at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, testing a new drug and hiring a superstar nurse. Being lucky is about taking action and giving yourself the chance to succeed. I am palpably excited about the role I will play in the lives of my patients. As I anticipate my future as an oncology AGNP, I believe these values will enable me to succeed and continue to be a valuable asset to the nursing profession. Through my experiences I have empathized with patients and admired their courage in the face of uncertain prognosis. I have been challenged to attempt the extraordinary, the undoable. I know that if accepted into your program that I can be expected to leave my impact on oncology nursing practice and be extraordinary.

4:1 with 3-4 techs on a 36 bed unit.

Hello all!, I am an ADN student currently in my OB rotation and wondering if someone was willing to check out my answers to a part of a case study. I am having a little bit of trouble with the OB index and would like to know if you have any easy tricks for figuring these out. Kathy, a 38-year-old married female is seeing the doctor to confirm a positive home pregnancy test. She relates that her first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage at 12 weeks; her second resulted in the live birth of twin daughters at 36 weeks' gestation, and the third resulted in the birth of a 9 pound son at 37 weeks' gestation. She expresses ambivalence about this pregnancy, stating, "I'm really scared. We just can't afford another baby right now." She complains of frequency and intermittent nausea. Her last menstrual period began on March 23, 2009 and its last day occurred on March 29, 2009. Her exam & pregnancy test indicate she is pregnant. Here is what I came up with. Two-digit OB index - G: 4P: 2 Four-digit OB index - T:1 P:2 A:1 L:3 Five-digit OB index - T:4 T:1 P:2 A:1 L:3 Would appreciate any help anyone can give me.

Try Prentice Hall's Nurses Drug Guide. It is a great all around drug book that includes pedi doses and also IV information. It is the only one I have had during school while other students have bought at least 3 so far.

Hello Everyone! I have a question that I was hoping you can help me with. I am an ADN student currently in my pedi rotation and will be assigned to the PICU tomorrow. As part of our preparation we have to create an activity plan that describes how we will stimulate our client. My client is a 10 year old male on a vent with complications of a neurogenic bladder and epilepsy. Can you give me some ideas on what type of play I can provide this client? I have only worked with adults on vents so this will be my first. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

FYI: There is a vending machine that sells scantrons right around the corner from Enrollment Services.

The ADN program uses team teaching. Different instructors will lecture over different topics but everyone will cover the same topics for the exam.

Meliss214 is right. Employers are looking at GPA's and exit HESI scores when deciding to hire a GN or not. The exit HESI is an exam taken at the end of the program that is an indicator for passing the NCLEX. You guys will all be fine. Many people have done it before you so just keep that in mind.

Just an FYI. You won't find out what clinical to register for 8B term until at least midway through 8A. Not even the ADN office knows this information yet. The dept. is still securing clinical spots for the second term. They seriously let you know as soon as they receive the information.

Each semester is divided into two 8 week terms.

You start your clinicals during the second 8 week part of term. The way it has worked the past two semesters is you take two days of six hour clinical time from 6:30 am to 12:30 pm. Sometimes there is a scheduling conflict and your clinical time is in the afternoon from 1:30 to 7:30. It just depends on what the nursing department has available and the number of students enrolled in that course.

I am in the third semester this summer. About the hours. Your first 8 week quarter you will be in class Monday through Friday. Depending on which day you half Health Assessment it will be either 8 am to 11 am or 12 pm to 3 pm. The rest of the week you have Fundamentals from 8 am to 11 am. Second 8 weeks you still have Health Assessment, Skills theory for two days 8-12 (I think it was extended an hour) then two 6 hour clinical days. The first semester keeps you busy and basically prepares you for the rest of the program. Once you get to the higher levels you get a couple days off during the week=more study time for you. The program moves from simplex to complex so you will need it as you progress. About the picture. You can upload any digital image of just yourself and then print it out at any Walgreens or CVS for like 19 cents. The picture is for your file in the nursing office.

Congratulations everyone on making it this far! I am currently in the ADN program at San Jac due to graduate May 2010. I saw you had questions about the lab packs and such so I figured I answer them for you. Each lab pack contains the same items which you will use in your Fundamentals and skills class the entire first semester. It also has materials that can be useful to you in the clinical setting, like penlight and scissors (FYI learn that a good nurse always has these with him/her). The only difference is the type of stethoscope that you purchase. It really is a matter of personal choice. I have the Littman Lightweight II S.E. and it has been good to me. I think it was the middle price range one. It was recommended to me by the previous class so I took their advice. The school uniforms were about $25 each set. You are required to purchase at least two of these. It's really not a big deal to get more than two. After the first 8 week session you are only on campus for 2-3 days. The school uniform is basically a royal blue scrub set with the school's name and logo on it. You are required to purchase two clinical uniforms which are more than enough to get you through the program. The clinical uniform consists of a royal blue scrub pant and a white "nursing" top. I don't know how to explain it but some people call them "marshmallow" shirts. Liability insurance is charged when you pay your tuition for the semester. The cost since I have been in the program has been $7. If you have anymore questions please don't hesitate to ask. I look forward to meeting some of you at orientation!