Dean Holzemer s Nursing Career Path

Transcription

1 * Career Development Issue * Newsletter February, 2018 Volume 4, Issue 4 Department of Student Engagement Dean Holzemer s Nursing Career Path William L. Holzemer, RN, PhD, FAAN Dean of Rutgers School of Nursing and Distinguished Professor I entered nursing school after having worked as an educational researcher in nursing examining clinical decision making among nurses. I became interested in moving my program of research to patient care and clinical outcomes. Today, I would have been labeled a second degree student but in the 1980s, such programs did not exist so I entered a traditional 3-year undergraduate program at San Francisco State University. As I completed nursing school, the global epidemic of HIV became a reality and my work just naturally moved to HIV care. For some 30 years, my work has focused on improving the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS, focusing upon symptom management, medication adherence, stigma, and quality of life. I have also had a strong commitment to training future nurse scientists over these many years. I believe nursing is an exciting and demanding profession. Nursing requires you to be smart, active, proactive, collaborative, and a life-long learner. Nursing is a highly respected profession that places great demands on you and, in turn, we receive a sense of purpose and fulfillment in our lives from our work. Inside this Issue Dean Holzemer s Nursing Career Path Q and A with President & Vice President of Alumni Association Explore Your Nursing Career Nursing in the Military Resume Top 10 List Interview Top 10 List Career Development Week Save the Dates Social Media Social Media

2 Q and A with President and Vice President of Alumni Association We recently had the opportunity to interview Rutgers Nursing Alumni Leadership for a personal and professional look at the women behind the success. Mary Anne Marra, DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC is the President of Rutgers School of Nursing Alumni Association (RSONAA) and Shanda Johnson Ph.D., APN-C, FNP currently serves as Vice President for the organization. Mary Anne earned a DNP at Rutgers University and serves as the Chief Nursing Officer at New York City Health & Hospitals, North Central Bronx while also serving as a faulty member. Shanda is a three time Rutgers Nursing alum who earned a BS, a MS and a PhD in Nursing. She currently works as both an Assistant Professor and a Family Nurse Practitioner. Jessie: Why did you choose nursing? What drew you to your current field in nursing? Shanda: It is twofold; I made a promise to my grandmother at the age of 8 years old that I would become a nurse. A couple of years later my mom was hospitalized and I saw how those nurses took care of her and my family in our time of need. Nursing was confirmed for me at that point early in my life. Working as a nurse practitioner allows me to be an interval part in the decision making and care planning for my patient and their families. Teaching nursing allows for me to have a great opportunity to transform and mold the next generation of excellent nurses. Jessie: What are a few of the challenges you face as a new or even experienced nurse? Mary Anne: The biggest challenge that most new nurses face is time management. Finding a balance in the workday to complete all of the tasks required to care for multiple patients, get the charting done and completing all of the work on time. Do not get frustrated, it gets better with time and experience. Jessie: What are a few of the challenges you face as a new or even experienced nurse? Shanda: Some of the challenges I faced as a new nurse was how to deal with difficult doctors, patients, and other colleagues. I m sensitive at time and learned very quickly the need to be firm and assure of myself and training when addressing certain individual. I also said in my head never let them see you sweat or cry, save that for later.

3 Q and A continued... Jessie: What should someone new to the professional nursing field, know about nursing outside of the student clinical experience? Mary Anne: Student clinical experiences provide the basics for the new nurse but he or she should remember that they will continue to learn. Don t be afraid to ask questions of others, but remember the basics and theories learned when in school. These will be applied when caring for patients, and he/she will realize why all of those science courses were important. The other important thing to remember is that nurses care for people, patients and family members. Nurses are constantly meeting new people, becoming involved in the lives of patients and families as they cope with illness and seek care. Jessie: What words of wisdom do you have for nurses who are unsure of what setting they would like to work in? Shanda: Nursing is not just in the hospital it s in every area of our daily lives and places where one may not even think of such as insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, working for their favorite sports teams. Nurses are in the political arena making changes every day to area of healthcare that will affect us as a profession. Jessie: What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time? Mary Anne: Dance exercise, relaxing in the sun, reading or listening to books Shanda: I love to read when I have time, shopping and traveling is always fun and enjoyable. For more information on the Rutgers School of Nursing Alumni Association please visit: The mission of this Rutgers School of Nursing Alumni Association (RSONAA) is to promote lifelong relationships among alumni, students and faculty by fostering communication and an environment of fellowship, social, and collegial relationships, and to provide opportunities for networking and mentoring. The RSONAA will seek to further alumni interest and involvement with the School.

4 Explore Your Nursing Career Check out how our faculty and students have challenged themselves in their careers by taking a look at the stories below. Make sure to continue checking your for more examples of nursing careers!

5 Nursing in the Military Captain Melissa J. Miller joined the United States Army as an active duty nurse in CPT Miller attended the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Basic Officer Leader Course, Perioperative Nurse Course, and Captain s Career Course. CPT Miller earned her Bachelor s degree in Nursing Science in 2009, her Master s in Nursing Education in 2013, and is currently attending Rutgers University for a Doctorate of Philosophy in Nursing Research degree. She served at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. from , Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland from 2011 to 2013, and Bassett Army Community Hospital from (Fort Wainwright, Alaska). CPT Miller applied in 2016 for the AMEDD s Long Term Health and Education Training (LTHET) Program. This program includes full-ride tuition and fees at a school of choice while receiving full-time salary to complete a graduate degree. Individuals accepted for the program agree to complete their course of study in three years and incur a five-year service commitment, during which time they will utilize their degree to strengthen and improve the Military Health System. CPT Miller s military awards and decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon. CPT Miller is married to her husband, Tyler Miller, and they have two daughters, Daisy (two years old) and Amy (ten months old). Captain Melissa J. Miller PhD Candidate in Nursing Research

6 Top Ten Tips for Your Resume or CV 1. Have a margin of at least ½ inch on the left and the right and ½ inch top and bottom. 2. Use highlighting and white space to make information stand out. 3. Include your degrees, your licensure and any relevant certifications. 4. If you are a bachelor s level candidate, stay to one-page if you feel you need more, consult the Career Counseling Officer. If you are a graduate student, move towards a CV and plan on it being at least 2 pages. 5. Use action verbs in the present or past tense and active voice, when describing experiences. 6. Avoid the use of pronouns. I is understood throughout the resume. 7. Have your resume critiqued by the RUSON Career Counseling Officer. 8. Clinical experiences Extern candidates should include clinical experiences (at least one Med Surge rotation); graduating bachelor s candidates should include relevant clinicals (if no other healthcare experience, all clinicals are relevant). 9. High School should not be included after sophomore year of college. 10. PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD! Should be error free. Top Ten Tips for a Successful Interview 1. Prepare by researching the organization and forming questions to ask the employer. 2. Practice sample interview questions (see Interviewing Assistance section of School of Nursing Career Resources website). 3. Arrive 15 minutes early. 4. Dress professionally a business suit or suit separates, neat hair, light makeup, small amount of jewelry. 5. Give a firm, but not crushing, handshake. 6. Answer questions thoroughly, but concisely. 7. Provide examples of your skills and experience when possible. 8. Maintain strong eye contact. 9. Ask what the next steps will be. 10. Send a thank you note within 48 hours of the interview. Ceil O Callaghan Career Counseling Officer

7 Career Development Week During the week of February 19th to the 26th, the School of Nursing will be offering a variety of programs to help you explore your career in nursing and prepare for your first or next job. The week will wrap up on Monday, February 26th with Annual Career Fair. Check out all the events listed below! Dress to Impress Exhibits During Career Development Week, there will be examples of proper interview dress apparel in all campus locations. Stop by on your way to class and take a look! * All Campus Locations, Feb * Professional Headshots Do you have an up to date and professional photo for your Linkedin or other professional profile? Don t worry! During Career Development Week, Island Photography will be coming to campus to take your photo. Check out when and where below. New Brunswick Tue., Feb am 5pm 110 Paterson Street Room 302 Blackwood Wed., Feb am 5pm Jefferson Hall Conference Room Newark-Ackerson Hall Wed., Feb am 5pm Ackerson Hall 3rd Floor Atrium Newark-Bergen St. Thu., Feb am 6:30pm SSB 65 Bergen Street 6th Floor Hallway Lounge Newark-Ackerson Fri., Feb am 5pm Ackerson Hall Room 209 Resume and CV Critiques Get ready for the Annual Career Fair by having your resume or CV critiqued by Ms. Ceil O Callaghan, the School of Nursing Career Counselor! New Brunswick Tues., Feb :30am 2:00pm 110 Paterson St. Room 221 Blackwood Campus Wed., Feb :30pm 1:30pm Jefferson Hall Room 114 Newark - Bergen St. Thu., Feb :00pm 1:00pm and 2:00pm 4:00pm SSB 616 Newark-Ackerson Hall Fri., Feb :30am 1:00pm Library JOB SEEKER Insurance Case Management Opportunities with Horizon BC/BS 20% of Horizon BC/BS s workforce is comprised of nurses. Have you ever wondered what those opportunities might look like? Attend this session to learn about opportunities in insurance case management and career paths for nurses. Ackerson Hall Wed., Feb. 21 2:30pm 3:30pm Dean s Lounge School of Nursing Career Fair Explore employment opportunities at this annual event! Come dressed to impress and with your updated resume or CV. There will be employers looking for nurses at all levels of experience. Rutgers University Newark Mon., Feb :00pm 3:00pm Paul Robeson Campus Center Essex Room

8 Save The Dates! Talks with the Dean Dean Holzemer will be coming to your campus to speak with you! Newark - Bergen St. Tuesday, February, 27th, 65 Bergen Street, Dean s Conf. Room, 11:40am, 2:00pm 3:00pm Blackwood Campus Thursday, March 1st, Jefferson Hall Conf. Room, 11:30am 12:30pm Postgraduate Forum All Juniors, Seniors, Level 2 s and Level 4 s are invited to attend Saturday, March 3, Newark-Ackerson Campus, Ackerson Hall, 3rd Floor Atrium, 9:00am 3:00pm

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