The Making of an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

Pharmacology

2010-01-14T18:43:00.000-08:00

Tonight was my first pharmacology class. I think I'm going to change my major. I'm going to pharmacy school. Really cool stuff.

Next semester

2009-12-15T15:22:00.001-08:00

I"m already really excited about the classes I'm taking next semester. I'll spill the beans after I'm done with my last final tomorrow!

Oh, now I get it

2009-12-03T18:46:00.000-08:00

The best one liner I've heard all semester happened tonight in my Research Methods and Design class.
"So, if you are having trouble finding the answer, just google it." Thanks professor. Oh, now I know why I pay $4,000 per class. Ah, just google it. I think I got my money's worth tonight.

Is it Friday?

2009-10-23T19:28:00.000-07:00

What a week! The week started with a 7p-7a shift at the hospital. I thought I would be able to study Monday afternoon while the girls were at daycare but no such luck. The sitter who the girls and I love ended up in the hospital with an aggressive virus that affected her small intestine. Poor thing. Then, to end the week on a high note, Isabella got sick with a cold. I didn't study nearly as much as I would have liked for the patho exam, but what do you do when you're a mother of two? Jason has been such a great support all week, coming home early so that I can go to class, study, etc. This next week has to be better. I hope.

Pre Exam Snack

2009-10-22T09:10:00.000-07:00

I am making these beauties tonight. Who cares that I have a test tomorrow morning.

The Exam

2009-10-07T18:24:00.000-07:00

I never posted about the first pathophysiology exam and so because I got my grade back today, I think it's time. The test was last Friday. I felt that given the amount of time I had in the early morning and late at night that I studied as much as I could have to prepare for this beast of an exam (I signed up to work too many shifts at the hospital and now realize my mistake) Anyway, I thought the test was fair. There was a mix of difficult and easy questions. Unfortunately, I glossed over the "easy" material while studying and focused on the more complex material. I was pretty bummed about getting stuck on the easy questions and thought, "I should have spent some time on this, but I can't believe it's on the test." I ended up with a B and am ok with that for now. I have to be, the test is over.
So, after the exam ended, we had a generous 10 minute break and spend the next five hours listening to the first cardiac lecture of the semester. Again, I'm amazed by the complexity of the human body and feeling overwhelmed by the amount of material I have to shove into my brain before the next exam in three weeks.

Life....it's so short

2009-09-28T17:56:00.001-07:00

My 12 hour shift in the Surgical ICU had me thinking a lot about how short life really is. I started out the day with two patients as is usually the case. By 9:30am we were emergently intubating (inserting a breathing tube) my patient, performing CPR, shocking her, putting her on tons of IV medication to help her heart beat and waiting for the family to arrive. By the end of the day, I was putting that same patient into a body bag. Sad, I know.

I'm now reflecting on my own life and have drawn a few conclusions. Life is short. Make the best of it. I know people say that a lot, but when you actually work in a place that deals with death on such an intimate level, you're really forced to deal with the reality of death and it's inevitability. It really sucks sometimes.

Under Pressure

2009-09-23T19:22:00.000-07:00

I didn't think life would get this busy so quickly. The worse part of this whole situation is that I don't see an end in sight until the end of the semester. If going back to school and being a mom to a 2 yr old and a 9 month old wasn't enough, why not have a husband who is going back to school too. Yeah, that's a great idea. Alright, to set the record straight, he started first and I just had to follow.

Both J and I have assignments and exams within the next two weeks. I just completed the patho homework and it was a total killer. My first exam is next week and I'm already stressing about how I'm going to find enough time to study. I could seriously study 8 hrs/day for the next week and still feel unprepared. I'm thinking about waking up at 4 tomorrow to get some studying in before the girls wake up. Crazy sounding, but when you're a morning person, that actually sounds pretty reasonable. I better get to sleep.

Will you teach my Micro Class?

2009-09-14T20:12:00.001-07:00

So, the conversation went something like this:

Prof. Davis: Sophia, I have a huge favor to ask.
Me: Yeah, what is it?
Prof. Davis: Well, my microbiology class begins next Monday and I've been selected to present some of my research at a conference so I won't be there and I'm wondering if you'd be interested in teaching the class.
Me: What? Uh, yeah, like this is the coolest thing someone has asked me to do in a long time. Are you sure you're talking to the right person? Are you sure you want me to do it?
Prof. Davis: Yes, I think you'd be great. You'll lecture for a total of 4 hours because there are two sections of the class that meet right after one other.
Me: (lecture on microbiology for 4 hours, what? that's crazy) Gosh, that sounds awesome. (did i really just say that?)
Prof. Davis: Great. I'm so excited you're willing to lecture this class. I'll email you the powerpoint presentation and the specifics.

Today was my teaching debut. Well, not really, just a substitute for a day and....I loved it. I got my groove on during the 2nd section and rocked the house. I think.

Of course I started out pretty rusty. I wanted to get to the classroom at least 20 minutes early to troubleshoot the audiovisual equipment, but I googled the college campus that was closer to my house rather than the actual campus I was to teach the course which was about another 30 minutes away. I also managed to lose the piece of paper that had the classroom location and parked as far away from the building as possible. I ran to the classroom as fast as I could in heels, (carrying a box with 150 copies of the syllabus and the powerpoint presentation) fearing the students would just walk out it they noticed the absence of their teacher. Luckily, everyone was still there and we simply started 15 minutes late. Not bad. I was a bit rusty in the beginning, but soon felt comfortable in front of an audience of 70 students. It was nice to be the teacher instead of the student for once in my life. I could get used to this. Academia...here I come. Maybe.

Back to school fashion

2009-09-13T19:58:00.001-07:00

Let's just say that when it comes to fashion I'm a bit behind. It was pouring rain on Friday and when I got to campus, I realized I'd worn the wrong shoes. My new balance running shoes were not fit for the wet occasion, I'd forgotten my designer rain boots at home. Gosh, I hate it when that happens. Looks like I need to add rain boots to my list and in a few months I'll have to spend at least $150 on a pair of trendy
Uggs. Going back to school is getting more and more expensive with each passing day.

Underestimating Pathophysiology

2009-09-11T19:37:00.000-07:00

Anyone care for a crash course in biochemistry and molecular biology? Well, that's exactly what I got today as I sat in the pathophophysiology class listening to a four hour lecture. After receiving a 100 page packet of biochemistry class notes, it was obvious that I've underestimated the content of this course. Should I just walk out now ? No, that would be too easy and that's not my style. Plus, how hard can this really be? Good thing I decided to stay because I was really into the lecture. DNA and RNA replication is pretty cool. Really. I always thought that the courses in my nursing undergrad program were sugar coated science classes mixed with a lot of nursing theory followed by a lot of care plans. I'll take biochemistry over nursing care plans any day. I'm liking this program more and more.

Research Methods and Design

2009-09-10T19:07:00.001-07:00

I thought this class was going to be dry and a bit boring. Tonight as I sat there for three hours listening to the professor lecture, I was interested in what he said and actually excited about the class assignments and projects. It was obvious that this professor is passionate about research and what's even more interesting is that he is not a nurse. Instead, he is a kinesiologist, specializing in research that affects the human heart. Penn's School of Nursing works to bring professors from other disciplines within the university to teach certain classes. I think this is a brilliant idea. Don't get me wrong, I think nursing is great, but there is also value in taking a class from someone who has a slightly different point of view. I do have an interest in nursing research and look forward with excitement about what I'll learn in NURS 637.

Going into debt

2009-09-04T18:32:00.001-07:00

For the first time in my life, I'm going into debt to fund my education. Navigating through the school loan process can be a bit overwhelming but the nursing school's financial aid office has made this process simple. Because I'm going to school part time, the funding I am eligible to receive is limited to stafford loans and any other scholarships I receive. Also, because I'm an employee of the Univ. of Penn Health System every fourth class is paid for by the nursing school. Not bad.
I'm a bit uneasy about going into debt, but of all the things I could go into debt for, an education is worth it.

Why The Univeristy of Pennsylvania?

2009-08-16T19:22:00.001-07:00

Yeah....why go to the most expensive school in Philly? No, it's not because I like to spend money and lots of it. It's because I'm convinced that I'll receive the best nurse practitioner education money can buy. Seriously. I researched several schools in the area and chose Penn for several reasons.

1. Their reputation cannot be matched by any other school in the area.

2. The access to outstanding professors, research opportunities and the ability to work within the Penn health care system during clinical rotations.

3. Penn's access to well established preceptors in both the city and community hospitals. (aka: I don't have to find my own preceptor)

4. The pass rate on the board exam is approx. 95%. Sounds pretty good to me.

I'm looking at the decision to attend Penn as an investment that will have great return for the rest of my career.

Why Acute Care NP?

2009-08-06T04:32:00.000-07:00

For me, applying to an Acute Care NP program was a natural fit. I've been an ICU nurse for five years, two of which were spent in a trauma ICU and now I work in a surgical ICU. I've learned a lot in both units. The trauma unit was unpredictable because you never knew what kind of patient was going to roll through the door next. It could be a 20 yr old with a head injury from a car accident or a gunshot wound to the face (probably the most gruesome thing I've seen in my career). Now, the SICU is a place where I've honed my hemodynamic skills. Because the unit is approximately 80% post op coronary artery bypass graft and valve patients with a laundry list of comorbidities, the bedside nurse is always in his/her toes because at any second, things can change dramatically. You know....like when you receive a "fresh heart" (lingo for a patient who has just come out of surgery) and everything looks great until you see about liter of bright red blood fill the chest tube container and his blood pressure bottoms out. That is always fun. Okay, now back to the original question, why ACNP?
The answer is simple, because I like the ICU. Call me crazy but I like being able to look at a monitor and know what's going on with a patient. Oh, and an intubated patient never hurt anything either. I also think that the management of the ICU patient is dynamic and interesting. I've worked with several ACNP's and have found them to be very knowledgeable. I want that same kind of knowledge. Plain and simple. I have high hopes for myself in this career path. I really feel like the sky is the limit. For example, I can work in a clinical setting, as an educator, as a researcher or even for a private sector, if I feel so inclined.
I know I haven't even started
the ACNP program but I'm excited and optimistic about the possibilities.