So Long, Farewell... I Think It's Time to Say Goodbye

Well peeps, it's been a long 10 weeks. And now it's time to say goodbye. These last few weeks have been challenging to say the least. In the past I have enjoyed reading other blogs but never would I have thought to write my own blog. But now that I've done it it wasn't so bad. I have enjoyed spending a little extra time looking into my future career and sharing some tidbits of information with you all. I hope you have somewhat enjoyed reading my ramblings. 

Through this blog I was able to share with you some of my frustrations, goals, dreams, pep talks, and the challenges and choices I will have to overcome and make. This has not been an easy journey but it has helped me dig deep and find the strength within to press on. This assignment has taught me more about my dream career and I got to explore the virtual world inside the nursing field. From the classes I will take, the tests I must pass, to the shadowing and eventually into the real world of nursing I have been able to get a glimpse of my future. And that just makes me want to get there even faster! 

Creating this blog was challenging because I wasn't sure what to post about. But when I did pick a topic it made me even more excited to fulfill my goals and dreams and get into my career and I got to learn. That was a major plus! I hope you were able to find some encouragement to fulfill your own goals through my posts and also learn what nursing students go through to fulfill their goals. And if you like anything I ever had to say and would like to read something even better, check out Nurse Eye Roll.

Never give up on your dreams or goals! 

Here's to our FUTURE! 

Nurse Practicioner

My previous post was about me interested in labor and delivery nurse as a specialty. This post I am going to talk about nurse practitioners. My ultimate goal in nursing is to become a nurse practitioner. I do plan to work as an RN and continue my education. Once I graduate with my BSN I will enter a master's program to get my Nurse Practitioner (NP) degree which can take between two and four years to complete. 

NP Statistics

According to npcentral.net, "A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse (RN) with advanced training in diagnosing and treating illness. Nurse Practitioners prescribe medications, treat illness, and administer physical exams. NPs differ from physicians in that they focus on prevention, wellness, and education." I plan to specialize in either obstetrics or pediatrics, so working as an L&D nurse will be beneficial to me becoming an NP. Here is a link to a site for 5 Reasons to Become an NP. All of those are some of the reasons I am choosing to continue on this career path. 

Labor and Delivery Nurse

In my last post I spoke about how there is an old "idea" that you have to work in med-surg before being able to work on a specialty unit. This old idea isn't necessarily accurate anymore. It is possible (very difficult but possible) to begin your nursing career on a specialty unit. This is important to me because there are a few different specialties I am interested in. Being interested in a specialty unit means I'll have to work extra hard and get some extra certifications if needed. But all of that would be totally worth it if I am able to begin my career doing my dream job. 

One of the specialties I am interested in is the Labor and Delivery unit. From what I have seen, experienced, read and, heard from current L&D nurses being an L&D nurse is something I can really see myself doing. I personally know four L&D nurses and have really enjoyed picking their brains and learning what all is involved on the unit. 

To put it simply, labor and delivery nurses help bring precious babies into the world everyday. But there is more to it than that amazing part of the job. L&D nurses monitor the mother and baby during labor this includes, monitoring the babies heart rate, the mother's blood pressure, temperature, contractions, and cervical dilation. Labor and delivery nurses coach the mother during labor and childbirth with breathing and to help the delivery to be as comfortable and smooth as possible. L&D nurses assist the doctor during delivery and work along other healthcare professionals. They also help prepare the mother and family for the different stages of delivery. Once the baby is born the L&D nurse's job is not over. 

Who wouldn't want to have her job?!

Working on this unit could be stressful but so rewarding being a part of the delivery of a healthy baby. I am definitely looking forward to getting the opportunity to shadow and getter a closer look on the labor and delivery unit and see how I would feel. In the meantime I will continue to read Shelly's blog adventures of a labor nurse. 

Do I Have to work Med-Surg?

Something I have heard many times is after you graduate nursing school you have to work a couple of years in med-surg before you can work on a specialty unit. That has been a little discouraging to me and I have wondered how much truth is in this "rule." So I looked into this "rule" to find out there is no such "rule" it's basically just a recommended suggestion or idea. I came across the Nerdy Nurse and a post she had written on this very topic. In her post she said, "It is a myth that new nurses have to work in med-surg before pursuing a specialty." That was music to my ears. In her post she goes on to give you tips on how to pick the right specialty like observing/shadowing a nurse on that unit. She also gives you tips on how to get noticed and get your foot in the door and a lot of other useful advice. Her blog is just what I needed to refocus my game plan. It's not easy to be able begin your nursing career on a specialty unit but it's not impossible either. It's encouraging to know that nurses already working in their career feel the same. 

I have some friends who have graduated nursing school and they broke free from this idea and began their nursing careers in the ER, ICU, L and D, and a few other specialty units. To say them landing their dream job was out of pure luck would be ridiculous and foolish of me to think. I know they worked their tales off to get where they are. And that's just what I am going to do. 

I love quotes, especially ones that encourage and motivate me. So here are a couple that do just that.

Dream Big Dreams 

Your goals should cause you to grow.

Do You Have What it Takes?

Last week I touched on the lovely TEAS V. The standardized test that is a requirement for applying to the Ivy Tech School of Nursing. This week I want to dive in a little deeper and share what it takes to be "considered" for the Nursing Program. I say "considered" because you can fulfill all the requirements to your best ability and still not be "accepted" into the Ivy Tech School of Nursing. Now don't get bummed already (trust me... I know it's a challenge) but the nursing program is a very competitive program to get into. You are literally competing with students all across Indiana for a shot at 1 of 30 positions to whichever location you're applying. Now that should justify a minor freak out session.

Say whaaaatt??!! My face at the moment.

 


So back to the point of this post, the pre-admission requirements for the nursing program. In 2014 Ivy Tech made changes to the  admissions prerequisite courses that took effect Spring 2015. Potential applicants need to complete the following general education courses: Anatomy and Physiology 1, English Composition, Introduction to Psychology, as well as a Math course of MATH 123 or Higher. In addition to completing those courses and taking the TEAS V there is a whole application process you must complete. The application process includes: a signed "Application Information Sheet", "Nursing Application Acknowledgement" form, copy of High School Transcript, TEAS V test results, unofficial Ivy Tech transcript, and All other college transcripts. 
The Admissions department takes the information you provide in your application packet and awards you points based on their point system to decide if you are eligible for the program. This means that just completing or passing the required courses isn't good enough. You need to get an A in each of the required general education courses and score high on your TEAS V test. The point system is awarded based on grade received in each course and score of each section of the TEAS V. An A in APHY 101= 30 points, while a B=20 points that's a 10 point difference which is huge. Obviously you want to get awarded the most points possible if you want to be a competitive and eligible applicant, which you do. 
To get a more detailed idea of what it takes to be able to apply to the School of Nursing at Ivy Tech and what all the nursing program entails please refer to the Overview and Application Process Booklet. Then ask yourself as I have myself many times, "Do you have what it takes?" My answer, "ABSOLUTELY! Now, lets do this thing!" 

Believe you can and you will!

The TEAS is a TEASE

I am beginning to prepare to take the TEAS test. I've heard a lot of different stories from those who've gone before me. Some of those stories ended well while more than a handful did not which can be intimidating. I've been told the TEAS test is a "tease" not only for the nursing programs but also for the nursing board exams. TEAS literally stands for Test of Essential Academic Skills which is specifically designed for Nursing. The goal of administering the TEAS to a potential nursing student is to see if the student has the ability to think like a nurse and would be successful in a nursing program. The TEAS is an important part of the admission process for the nursing program at IVY TECH and most other schools.

The TEAS test is multiple-choice and includes the following subjects: science, mathematics, reading, English, and language usage. Given that there are 5 different subjects you will be tested on it is highly recommended that you properly prepare and study for the exam. There are a number of resources you can use to find good study guides and practice exams. The TEAS V Study Guide 2015: Test Prep and Practice Questions for the Teas Version 5 is one study guide that has been highly recommended to me as well as Study Manual for the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS), Version V / Edition 1. These two study guides along with other resources from ATI is how I plan to prepare to tackle the TEAS. I also recommend talking to your advisor and anyone you may know that has already taken the TEAS. 

So here I go. It's time to buckle up buttercup. Wish me luck! :)

Study, study, study... 

You Go On

When you just want to give up you go on. You simply go on, you have a quick cry session or melt down, vent, eat some ice-cream, donuts, or whatever tickles your fancy and then you pick yourself up and go on. You move forward. The road is never always smooth and straight, there are potholes that about take you out, hills that seem impossible to climb, curves where you can't see the other side, tunnels that leave you in the dark, and  bumps that knock you off course. My point is this, every journey you take will have obstacles and it will not be easy. But it's not the obstacles that will define your success or failure it's how you choose to respond to those obstacles. Will you choose to rise above them or will you let them defeat you? So, when you just want to give up and quit think about how choosing to fight and to continue to work hard to achieve your goal will only make your success sweeter and more rewarding. 

That's the pep talk I have to give myself when it comes to working to achieve my goals and becoming a nurse. The schooling alone to get into the nursing program is no joke and right now I can't imagine how much more difficult it will be in the actual program. But I must remain focused on the task at hand, take it one day at a time, breathe, and remember that it will all be worth it. 

Here's an article I found that gives some advice to new nursing students. I found it to be helpful. It's nice to know you're not the only one going through this. 

Do what Dory says and "just keep swimming!"

Flu Vaccine, Is It My Choice?

Something that has been circling the media recently is the issue on immunizations. While this has been a hot topic for some time the more recent issue when it comes to immunizations is regarding the current measles outbreak. It would be quite a lengthy blog post if I chose to focus on the issue of immunizations as a whole. Instead I want to focus on something that will directly affect me as I inch nearer into the field of nursing. 

Over the past few years more and more hospitals have been enforcing a mandate to all long-term health care workers to receive the influenza vaccine. This mandate has caused quite a stir with several health care workers across the United States and more specifically in Indiana. In 2012 ABC News did a report titled, Eight Hospital Employees Fired For Refusing Flu Vaccines, in which like the title says, 8 of IU Health’s 26,000 employees were fired for noncompliance to the influenza vaccination mandate. This mandate offers an exemption for those whose religious beliefs would not allow the influenza vaccine for it is considered going against their religion of not using conventional medicine. The mandate also offers an exemption for medical purposes, that for some medical reason it would be deemed unsafe for you to receive the flu shot.  The hospitals exclaim this mandate is to ensure safety of patients and employees and they have quite the support to help validate this mandate. On the other hand some of the health care workers feel this is a violation of their rights and should be allowed to choose if they want to receive the flu shot or not. I am not here to argue one way or the other... just to bring awareness. This is something I will have to deal with when I am a health care worker working in a hospital. 

Flu Vaccine, is it my choice?

Relating this issue even closer to my current life and the decisions ahead of me, is my school's policy on immunizations. Ivy Tech's policy is indeed pro vaccination. In the near future I will have a decision to make. I'll tell you right now, I have NEVER EVER received the influenza vaccine, not once. Have I ever had the flu? I think maybe twice, but I never went to the doctor and had a swab test to confirm it was actually the flu. I have never considered getting the flu shot before now. It's never been required of me and I am generally not around a mass amount of people that I would fear being exposed or infected. I don't have children, I don't deal with the general public often, I don't currently deal with sick people, I am not pregnant, I am healthy, I don't have a compromised immune system, I wash my hands, I am not elderly, and I am obviously not a small child. Am I ignorant? Possibly, the verdict is still out on that one. Am I scared of needles? Nope, as long as I'm not in a dentist's chair. Do I live in a bubble? One might think so, but I like my bubble. Notice there were a lot of "I's" in my explanation, which makes me feel rather selfish, but let's be honest aren't we all looking out for our own best interest most of the time? Any one of  my reasons for not thinking I need the vaccine can easily change. So, given the possibility that I could still be exposed to someone who has the flu and become infected and then infect others is it worth the risk to not get the vaccine? That's for me to decide right, or is that another selfish move? 

Considering a Teaching Hospital For My Future

One of the many things I think about as I venture down this road to a degree in nursing is the type of medical facility I will begin my nursing career in. While it may be premature for me to already be thinking about such things considering I still have a ways to go before I graduate, I can't help but think of my future and where I will work, who I will work with, the patients I will care for, and the impact all of this will have on my nursing career. When I consider my options the one that sticks out the most is working in a teaching hospital.

According to AHA “teaching hospitals educate and train future medical professionals, conduct state of the art research, care for the nation's poor and uninsured people, and stand ready to provide highly specialized clinical care to the most severely ill and injured.” I found this to be the simplest definition or explanation of what a teaching hospital is. Generally when one thinks of a teaching hospital they think of medical students that have just graduated and doctors performing experimental surgeries, little is usually thought of the nurses working in those hospitals. But there are nurses working in those hospitals and they play an important role in the care of the patients and development of the physicians working there.

AAMC Statistics about the importance of teaching hospitals.

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing the type of medical facility to work in. Teaching hospitals offer learning opportunities, exposure to a wider ranger of critical patients, more one-on-one interaction with doctors and medical staff, 24-hour access to physicians or residents, along with many other factors. It is also important to consider personal factors such as, what your learning style is, your personality, the type of environment you want to work in, career goals, and other factors that may be important in helping decide if a teaching hospital will be a good fit.

Working in a teaching hospital is not for everyone but I would like to think it would be a good fit for me. Teaching hospitals are important in health care and medical advancements in America. Teaching hospitals (all hospitals) make a difference and that is something I want to do as well and learn more in my field along the way. 

Welcome

Hello wonderful people, welcome to From Farm to Scrubs! Let me start by introducing myself to help you get to know me a little. My name is Heather, and as you may have figured by reading the title of my blog, I grew up on a farm. My family’s farm is still a huge part of my life, my husband and I visit every chance we get (which is not often enough these days). Being a farm girl has helped shape me into the person I am today. The person currently pursuing a career in the ever growing field of nursing, hence the “to Scrubs” portion of my blog name. 

In this blog I hope to share with you my journey as I cruise down the different avenues needed for me to succeed in becoming a registered nurse. While I’d like to think I have it all together and know exactly what I’m going and need to do, I’m still figuring things out. It is my hope to post about topics regarding my personal experiences as well as the experiences of some professionals such as Leslie in the field of nursing. I want to challenge what I think I know about nursing and all those preconceived notions by digging deep and doing research on topics that will affect me and the choices I make along my journey. When I come to a fork in the road I want to be able to make an informed decision and know what path to take that will be most beneficial to my journey. 

(my family's) Farm life vs...

Student life...