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.