LSU Nurses Notes 5/4/14 LSU Health School of Nursing Transitioning to Practice Demetrius J. Porche, DNS, PhD, FAANP, FAAN As an undergraduate or graduate nursing student, you will be soon or in a few semesters entering the health care workforce environment at a time of health care reform. As you engage in your new professional nursing role as either a Registered Nurse (RN), Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), nurse educator, nurse executive or nurse scientist, you will be challenged with providing quality health care while maintaining economic efficiencies in a dynamic and changing environment. Once you have your license, there is an almost immediate expectation that you are to function in your new role in a competent manner. These expectations along with the dynamic and changing health care environment sometimes creates distress, emotional exhaustion, and decreased professional self-confidence. There are established reports citing that as many as 1/3 to 2/3 of new graduates change their place of employment within the first two years. In addition, other reports cite that as many as 1/3 of new graduates leave or consider leaving the nursing profession within three years of graduation. You have dedicated your time, energy, and financial resources to achieve the goal of graduating as a RN, APRN, nurse educator, nurse executive, or nurse scientist; therefore, you must not give up on this goal, it will be a wonderful career. However, you must prepare for this transition into practice. The Stages of Transition Model provides some guidance on what to expect in your transition. The model proposes the following stages: Initial - first 3 to 4 months is a period of time you should dedicate to adjusting, adapting to and accommodating the new realities of your work and personal life balance. During this phase you may experience some culture "shock" regarding the realities of the health care environment. Being emotionally aware of your feelings and debriefing with someone is critical during this phase. During this time, prepare to continue to be in a learning mode - continuing to learn nursing knowledge and skills, job expectations, levels of authority and responsibility etc; Stage 2 - occurs over the next 4-5 months, generally after the orientation period is over and you are alone without a preceptor. This period is characterized by the need to think rapidly and advance your knowledge and skill competency level. You become more aware of inconsistencies and inadequacies in the health care environment. During this stage, you must continue to be aware of your professional "self" or role and find balance between that professional role and your personal life. Generally, you are expected to function as an independent RN or APRN. During this time, it is good to consult and collaborate with experienced nurses. This consultation and collaboration builds your professional relationship and confidence. However, this consultation and collaboration should demonstrate that you are requesting advisement from a position of knowledge - don't continue to ask "dependent focused questions" during this time, ask a question but demonstrate that it is an informed question; and Dean s Notes continue on page 2 Demetrius Porche, DNS Professor and Dean
Lastly, the final stage occurs during the remaining period of your first year in practice. This period focuses on engaging in the larger nursing community, building relationships with coworkers, and reflecting on your "place" within the nursing profession. You will still be learning a tremendous amount, this is the period where you increase the depth of your knowledge not just the breadth of your knowledge. It is not uncommon at this time, even though you thought you would never go back to school, to begin considering other avenues or careers in nursing. This model only provides a framework for you to understand what you are experiencing. What you really want to avoid is the professional exhaustion and burnout along with transition shock. Some other helpful strategies during this time to assist with your transition are: Find a mentor and develop a mentoring relationship; Engage in reflective journaling; Develop your emotional intelligence skills; Exercise, it focuses your thinking, wards off negative thoughts and emotions; and Remember, we will always be here to support you, encourage you, and provide advisement to you as an alumni!
LSU Nurses Notes LSUHSC School of Nursing LOGO The logo will be changing. Change can be a good thing and we ask that you work with us as we work through the process. Any items you have in stock for sale or items you pre-ordered before March 24, 2014 for sale can be sold. As soon as we have the new logo and policy you will be notified. I am available to answer any questions you may have. Change in Course Registration The School of Nursing will be going to on-line registration beginning summer 2014. Students can begin registration for summer 2014 classes only at this time. It is important that you review your profile in PeopleSoft and verify the information is correct. An email was sent to all students with step by step directions how to register. All students will be notified when the fall 2014 registration access is open. If you have an account block, you will not be able to register. Click on the block and you will sees what the block is and who placed it. Contact the person who placed the block for additional information. Anyone with a block for outstanding course evaluations, please contact Mr. Richard Smith in IT for assistance. Once your outstanding course evaluations have been cleared, Mr. Smith will notify me and block will be removed. Mr. Smith can be reached at rsmi14@lsuhsc.edu. Catherine Lopez, RN, DHEd Assistant Dean for Student Students are responsible for registering for the correct courses. Your faculty advisor will notify you via email if a correction needs to be made. It is your responsibility to ensure the correction is made in a timely manner. While we are moving into online registration it does not replace or diminish the role of your faculty advisor. Each student is assigned a faculty advisor to provide academic advising. They are genuinely engaged and committed to your success in the School of Nursing and supporting the Core Values of LSUHSC SON. Note continues on next page
( 8 0 0 ) Historically, student-faculty relationships have been viewed as an integral part of the higher education learning process. Your faculty advisor is an expert in nursing and knowledgeable about course in your specific program, as well as educational and career opportunities in their area of expertise. Your faculty advisor: Assists with course selection, scheduling and program planning; Provides guidance to develop, clarify and evaluate educational plans and goals; Assists students identify and explore alternatives; and Helps you assess consequences of decisions. 8 5 2 7 2 5 1
LSU Nurses Notes LSU Health School of Nursing SNA Updates SNA Meeting Dates: SNA will be selling fleece, badge reels, and clipboards that are very helpful while in clinicals. UPCOMING SNA EVENTS: April Donations: 1. From April 14 th until May 12 th we will be collecting bottled water, toilet paper, hygiene products, paper towels, trash bags, and latex gloves for the New Orleans Mission. The New Orleans Mission provides food, shelter, clothing and spiritual guidance to the city s homeless, hurting and hungry. Their commitment to meet the physical, social and spiritual needs of the homeless community is backed by the financial support of generous local residents, churches, organizations and corporate donors that understand the importance of being socially responsible to the people in communities where they live and/or do business. So let s help the mission continue their great work by collecting lots of supplies for them during the month of February! Cases of bottled water and bulk packages of toilet paper will earn one donation credit each while all other products follow the regular magic 8 rule bring 8 items and sign up on the donations list to earn one donation credit. May Events: 6
m LSU Nurses Notes LSU Health School of Nursing SGA Updates We will be selling the remainder of our SGA polo shirts and scrub jackets. Scrub Jackets are $30 and the Polo s are $25. Upcoming Sale Days: Upcoming SGA Events: 7
Solid Color hair ties are $1 and $2 dollars for ties with pattern or glitter. We are selling our short sleeve t- shirts "Top 10 Reasons Why I decided to go to Nursing School" for $18. Please contact either Caitlyn Blanchard (cblanc@lsuhsc.edu) or Catie Brown (cbro12@lsuhsc.edu). Hurst Review Dates: May 5 th 7 th 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Please do not forget the dates below are Mandatory for graduation unless excused: May 13 th Graduation rehearsal 1-4 p.m. May 14 th Awards ceremony and Pinning Ceremony 9 a.m. UNO Lakefront Arena Senior I Class FRONT BACK Front Back
Greetings JR IIs, WE are almost to the semester finish line with the prize being SENIOR STATUS! Our class party, along with the JR Is is going to be May 8 at Grits from 9-12; more details coming soon! We have a new sale item everyone! Summer is quickly approaching and your skin wants to come out and play so buy one of our new LSU Nursing Tank Tops. They are $18 and are limited in numbers. Being that there is a limited amount, we are selling them on a first come basis. If you would like to purchase one please email Darrian Harris, at dhar18@lsuhsc.edu so a meet date can be set up! Also, please don't forget to check your email and fill out the Class Survey. Good luck studying for finals! Junior I Class - Don't forget, dues still need to be turned into the class treasurer, Lisa Rebenne, even if late. - Get ready for the Jr. I class party, with the Jr. IIs. Come celebrate the end of the semester at Grits, May 8th from 9-12! The theme is Party in the USA, and there's a 5 dollar donation fee at the door for food and drinks! It's going to be a lot of fun! BACK OF SHIRT- Above LOGOS ON FRONT OF SHIRT- LEFT
Class dues for this semester are $50 and should be given to Sara Pinac by the week of finals. Sophomore I Class STARTING SUMMER 2014! The School of Nursing will be implementing the Brand New Uniform Policy! We are almost finished our 1st semester of nursing school! GOOD LUCK on your final exams! =)
Have a great week of freedom! Wed, May 7- Rock-N-Bowl party at 6pm. Get in touch with Ashley Burg for tickets and details. Tues, May 13- Rehearsal and Reception from 1-4pm. Location TBA Wed, May 14- Pre Commencement Awards and Pinning Ceremony at 9am - UNO Lakefront Arena. Pre-Commencement Dress: Males shirt and tie, suit optional Female business wear No denim, shorts of any kind, no scrubs, no torn or tattered clothing. Please stay within the school s dress code. No gum chewing, electronic devices, no bull/air horns Thurs, May 15- Graduation Day at 10am- UNO Lakefront Arena. Candidates need to be in the Student area of the Auditorium in their seats for 9:15am. Commencement Dress: All Academic Regalia (cap and gown) as approved for degree. SGA officer sashes, STT cords, NSNA cords, and baccalaureate cord that comes with academic regalia. Males shirt and tie Female business wear No denim, shorts of any kind, no scrubs, no torn or tattered clothing. Please stay within the school s dress code. No gum chewing, electronic devices, no bull/air horns No decorations of any kind on your academic regalia CARE XIII.
If anyone would like to place an add on this page please send your request to SGASecretary@lsuhsc.edu and it will appear on this page in the next Nurses Note. If you would like to post something, please email SGAsecretary@lsuhsc.edu so that it will be on the next Nurses Notes.