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Career Path from Nursing to PhD

Personal Background and Education

  • Went to Northwest Vista from 2013 to 2015.
    • Earned associates in biology and liberal arts with a concentration in peace and conflict studies.
  • UT Austin Graduate
    • Bachelor of Science in Arts in Biology with two certificates in pre health professions and Business of Healthcare certificate.
  • Shift from Pre-Med to Nursing
    • Initially pre-med, transitioned to nursing.
    • Earned EMT certificate and experienced EMS rides.
    • Additional prerequisites at Northwest Vista.
  • Nursing School
    • Started in 2018, graduated May 2020 with honors and clinical distinction.
  • Current Role
    • Full-time nurse at the VA hospital on a surgical floor.
  • Pursuing a PhD
    • Currently working on a PhD in nursing at UT Health.

Career Path and Influences

  • Inspired by Sports Injury
    • Played soccer and tore both ACLs, initially sparking healthcare interest.
  • Business Certificate Insight
    • Business of Healthcare certificate at UT Austin highlighted differences between practicing medicine and nursing.
  • Values and Vision
    • Reflected on personal values, leading to switch from medicine to nursing.

COVID-19 Pandemic Impact

  • Abrupt End to In-Person Classes
    • Spring break in March 2020, school never resumed in person due to COVID-19.
  • Virtual Graduation
    • Virtual graduation caused stress for students.
  • Immersion Concerns
    • Immersions affected, raising concerns about job opportunities and networking.

Tips for Finding Your Profession

  • Avoid Blindly Following Others
    • Avoid blindly following friends or a "cookie-cutter" approach.
  • Self Reflection
    • Reflect on what you truly want; consider life beyond just making money.
  • Nursing Balance
    • Nursing offers a unique balance, with family time and community involvement through flexible work schedules (e.g., three 12-hour shifts per week).

Choosing a University

  • Endless Opportunities Post-Vista
    • Opportunities are endless after Northwest Vista, with many universities to consider.
  • University Evaluation
    • List pros and cons, considering where you can see yourself as a student and alumni.
    • Evaluate what the school can offer you, not just you getting into the school.
  • Tuition Considerations
    • Tuition is a significant motivator; Northwest Vista offers affordability and scholarships.

Importance of Getting Involved

  • Northwest Vista Involvement
    • Peer mentor, student success and student life offices.
  • UT Health Involvement
    • Government and cohort activities, community hours through the refugee clinic and flu vaccine drives.
  • Networking Importance
    • Get to know your professors for insights and job opportunities.
    • Peers are important for networking, both in school and in your profession.

Volunteer Opportunities

  • UT Health Programs
    • Clinical distinction program with extracurricular activities.
  • Community Clinics
    • Refugee clinic and pop-up mobile clinics in underfunded communities.
  • Student Success Office
    • Engagement and organization opportunities at UT Health.
  • Peer Mentoring
    • Improves communication skills at Northwest Vista.
  • Local Search
    • Search online for volunteer opportunities in your field in San Antonio.
  • Internships
    • Internships with organizations like the USDA are available during the summer.

Additional Opportunities at Northwest Vista

  • Leadership Workshops
    • Learning to Lead workshops offer credentials.
  • Peer Programs
    • Peer mentoring programs are available.
  • Community Engagement
    • Blood donation days, partnership with the food bank and advocacy center.
  • Campus Programs
    • Ambassadors program for campus tours.
  • Kinesiology Focus
    • Kinetic Kids and Workout Help Out offer hours for kinesiology majors.
  • Honor Societies
    • Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) and National Society for Leadership and Success (NSLS).

Highlights of First Year as a Nurse

  • Diverse Roles in Nursing
    • Roles beyond bedside care, including educators, informatics, and leadership positions.
  • Specialization Flexibility
    • Nursing allows for changes, unlike medicine, offering flexibility and continuous challenge.
  • COVID-19 Transition
    • Started in medical-surgical but transitioned to a COVID-19 floor during the second surge in San Antonio.

COVID-19 Pandemic Challenges

  • Unpreparedness
    • Nursing school programs did not prepare nurses for caring for COVID-19 patients.
  • Communication Difficulties
    • Communication with families was difficult in the new environment.
  • Confidence Building
    • Involvement in community and clinical settings before COVID-19 helped prepare the speaker for the profession.

RN Residency Program at the VA

  • Program Overview
    • The VA offers a three-month residency program for new nurses with less than one year of experience.
  • Mentorship
    • New nurses are matched with preceptors for training and support.
  • Education and Networking
    • Monthly education sessions allow for networking and debriefing with other new nurses.
  • Transition Support
    • The program helps mitigate the shock of transitioning from college to a profession.

Considerations When Choosing an Employer

  • Education Opportunities
    • Evaluate the education and continued learning opportunities offered by the employer.
  • Compensation and Benefits
    • Consider salary and benefits, ensuring competitiveness and advancement opportunities.
  • Career Growth
    • The VA has an advancing nursing ladder, providing clear growth opportunities.

COVID-19 Unit Experience

  • Unit Conversion
    • The unit was converted to a COVID-19 floor with negative pressure rooms.
  • PPE Challenges
    • Wearing PPE for twelve hours was challenging, leading to burnout, stress, and anxiety.
  • Fear and Stress
    • Fear of spreading the virus to loved ones added to the stress.
  • Team Support
    • Teamwork and peer support were essential in coping with the challenges.

Winter Storm Experience

  • Extended Hospital Stay
    • The winter storm in February resulted in being snowed in at the hospital for four days.
  • Staff Commitment
    • Staff had to stay overnight to ensure patient care.

Involvement in Retention and Recognition Committee

  • Committee Activities
    • Participation in the committee involves organizing events, highlighting nurses week, and promoting team building.
  • Morale Improvement
    • Getting involved beyond the job makes the work exciting and improves morale.

Work-Life Balance

  • Night Shift Advantages
    • Working night shifts provides balance and allows for continued education.
  • Personal Preferences
    • Night shifts align with personal preferences for studying and working late.

Pursuing a PhD in Nursing

  • Research Motivation
    • Inspired by a gap in research and the need to advance nursing.
  • Focus Area
    • Focus on implementation science, aiming to improve the implementation of evidence-based practices.
  • Dissertation Inspiration
    • Dissertation topic inspired by COVID-19 and the challenges of implementing change on the floor.
  • Improvement Goals
    • The goal is to improve patient safety and outcomes through effective change implementation.

Q&A Session Highlights

  • Scholarship Importance
    • Importance of scholarships and not being discouraged by competition.
  • First-Generation Student
    • Navigating the PhD journey as a first-generation graduate student.
  • Balance and Self-Care
    • Finding balance, self-care, and stress relief through activities like crafting.
  • Time Management
    • Time management is key, and it's okay to switch specialties if needed.
  • Kinesiology Courses
    • One-hour Kines credit courses offer structured workouts and stress relief while contributing to degree requirements.