Faculty Interview Essay

For my STU professor interview, I chose to interview my psychology professor Dr. Heidi Dempsey. Dr. Dempsey has worked at Jacksonville State University (JSU) for nine years and teaches several intro and specialty psychology courses, including Principles of Psychology, Honors Principles of Psychology, Social Psychology I, II, Human Sexuality, and Psychology of Emotion.

There is a shortage of all health care professions throughout the United States. One shortage in particular that society should be very concerned about is the shortage of Registered Nurses. Registered Nurses make up the single largest healthcare profession in the United States. A registered nurse is a vital healthcare professional that has earned a two or four year degree and has the upper-most responsibility in providing direct patient care and staff management in a hospital or other treatment facilities (Registered Nurse (RN) Degree and Career Overview., 2009). This shortage issue is imperative because RN's affect everyone sometime in their lifetime. Nurses serve groups, families and individuals to foster

For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to work in the medical field. From performing imaginary check ups on my community of dolls as a child to watching medical television shows, being able to enter the workforce with the skills to start a nursing career has been my most desired goal from a young age. When it comes to achieving that goal, hard work, dedication, and my lifelong passion for pursuing nursing will get me where I need to be in order to successfully complete Davenport University’s Nursing Program.

In 1969, the foundation of the National Student Nurses' Association was created (NSNA). This organization main goal is to teach and help future Registered Nurses with the skills need to be successful in their profession (NSNA). In the Health care industry a Registered Nurse has the opportunity to move up the ladder and become a skilled professional in a higher position, such as, a head nurse or a manager in their department. In addition, being a part of the National Student Nurses' Association can benefit member by helping them pay for school with the help of scholarships and grants (NSNA). Furthermore, the NSNA organizes conventions, plans meeting, and have classes that will help the student learn to become a stronger individual and achieve

This is an interview of a Master’s- prepared nurse who has recently assumed an Assistant Director of Nursing position. The aim of the interview is to show how a graduate of a Master of Science in Nursing would adequately prepare a nurse to assume a higher role in the field of nursing practice, education or administration. This achievement offers the individual with many opportunities for growth and opens the door to different career possibilities. I chose to interview B.A., a fellow instructor at the Anaheim nursing school where we teach.

According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs generally offers four specializations: nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist and certified nurse anesthetist and midwife. These four specializations allow every student to concentrate on the skills and knowledge they will need to succeed in their target career. To illustrate, a nurse practitioner will diagnose and treat common injuries and illnesses similar to a physician. A clinical nurse specialist will work in a distinct medical field, such as pediatrics, gynecology and even psychiatric nursing. However, all programs emphasize a holistic approach to health care operations, leadership and education. Most MSN programs last

I am currently in my second year of studies at Delaware County Community College. My major is Science for the Health Professions and my goal is to be enrolled in Thomas Jefferson University's Nursing Program by Fall 2017. My mother is currently a Registered Nurse. She has inspired me to fulfill this career and I aim to surpass her success and achieve my Masters Degree in Nursing rather than an Associate's. However, this past year has proven to be the most difficult in my efforts of achieving this dream of mine.

With the increasing demands in Healthcare needs, newly licensed competent nurses are a commodity that simply do not exist. Every year there are new nurses graduating from associate and bachelor’s degree programs that enter the work force. Nursing students whom complete their degree program, whether it be an associates or bachelor degree sit to take the same state sanctioned nursing licensure exam. Upon successful completion of this exam a student quickly transitions from student to professional, in as little as two days, and is now deemed competent to practice safely and effectively. Unfortunately for new nurses whom enter the workforce, they are subjected to an environment that nursing schools simply cannot simulate accurately, and therefore not prepare students for. New nurses are expected to come out of school, especially by the patients they tend to, with competencies that are unrealistic. The reality is that new nurses lack skills that allow them to perform at a truly competent level. What this paper will discuss are the competencies that new graduate nurses enter the work force with compared to what is actually required in order to be proficient in this professional field. This paper will also discuss how the transition from student to professional can be facilitated through extensive orientation programs that have been proven to elevate nurses from novice to professional.

“The curriculum provides learning experiences that prepare graduates to assume roles that are essential to quality nursing practice, including but not limited to roles of care provider, patient advocate, teacher, communicator, change agent, care coordinator, user of information technology, collaborator, and decision maker”

As a nurse, I have worked around the elderly for the last eight years, and before that I was a Certified Nursing Assistant for approximately 3 years. Over the years I have witness the end of many lives. I have seen residents pass with a multitude of family members and I have seen a resident pass with just a staff member holding their hand. I have been able to be a part of many lives and have witnessed how activities can make a great impact on these same lives. This is why I chose to complete my service learning project in a long term nursing facility to be a first-hand participant in these activities.

The project implemented at Meridian Healthcare System is a comprehensive residency program that supports new graduate registered nurses (NGRN) as they enter the nursing profession. It is a program that assists in providing nurses with the right competencies to enhance the quality of healthcare services and improve safety. These competencies include patient-centered care; evidence-based practice, collaboration and teamwork, quality improvements, and safety, as well as informatics (Letourneau and Fater, 2015). According to Trepanier, Early, Ulrich, & Cherry (2012), “new graduate registered nurses (NGRNs) face many challenges,

The conventional role as the nurse has been the hospital bedside caregiver. However, the U.S. is unable to finance a health system that requires expanded delivery of outpatient and primary care throughout the nation. Furthermore, citizens need a greater number of clinical specialists to treat an array of acute and chronic illnesses. The populations require a wider use of nurse practitioners and other advanced generalists to provide more available and cost-effective care, especially in under-served areas. Even so, producing more direct-care professionals will be insufficient to meet the growing need for nurses in other areas, such as health development and disease prevention, case management, and governed care settings. To meet the developing needs of the United States, students should obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

If the organization is to address the current and future nursing shortage, strategies must be employed to encourage nurses to relocate to Oregon. In addition, a new graduate nurse transition to practice program is imperative, with the goal of developing new graduates into proficient RNs while supporting their commitment to remaining in nursing as a career (Gordon, Williams, Walker, Willcock, & Bloomfield, 2014).

After completing my Certified Registered Nurse Infusion (CRNI) last year, I continue to feel the need for ongoing learning and growth. Assisting other nurses and students in their learning process is very exciting to me. I desire to return to the role of nurse educator. The Master’s of Nursing with the education path will help me achieve my personal and professional goals.

The mission of Baldwin Community College Associate Degree Nursing Program is to provide a quality diverse entry level education on nursing to a body of students so they can seek employment in a variety of healthcare settings after being taught traditionally and with new innovative teaching strategies. Upon graduation, nursing students will be well versed on subjects of cultural diversity, nursing ethics, practice and standards, caring and compassionate patient centered care and competency.