New Grad NP : Being an NP Student

Practice Makes Proficient

Elizabeth Huston — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:55:00 GMT

One of the hardest things in NP school was getting the hang of the speculum exam. I never thought I'd be able to do it with any proficiency. I even borrowed a speculum from my GYN preceptor and practiced opening and closing, inserting and withdrawing...(read more)

Lasting Learning Opportunities

Beverly Clayton — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 13:08:00 GMT

In this profession it is an honor and privilege to be a part of someone's care. Being a nurse for so many years, I never dreamed that I would have the opportunities I have been afforded by being a practitioner. While this is not earth shattering, I just...(read more)

After Certification

Elizabeth Huston — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 12:28:00 GMT

For those of you who are waiting to take the boards and plan to practice in North Carolina, my home state, there is still a fairly long and winding road ahead of you to NP officialdom. There's not much room for preplanning since everything must happen...(read more)

Pursuing a DNP

Beverly Clayton — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:09:00 GMT

There are changes coming in the next three years. As we know, AACN recommends that by 2015 an entry level to an advanced degree for a nurse practitioner is a DNP. Embracing education and also being proactive, I decided to pursue my DNP. I researched several...(read more)

First NP Job: Something to Celebrate

Elizabeth Huston — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:21:00 GMT

On Monday, October 17, 2011, I started my NP job at the Martin-Tyrrell-Washington District Health Department. Over the 5 days of my first week on the job, I rotated to all three HDs in the district and attended the October 17th grand opening of Martin...(read more)

A Certified NP!

Elizabeth Huston — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 14:30:00 GMT

At 1:43 p.m. on October 7, 2011, I officially became Elizabeth Lum Huston, NP-C! I took the AANP certification, as most of my classmates had, though, never one to hedge my bets, I have applied to take the ANCC certification as well. I had close to 1 hour...(read more)

A Dream Job Fulfilled

Elizabeth Huston — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:33:00 GMT

Should anyone question the wisdom of accepting the first job offer after the first job interview, may I say that my first job offer after the first job interview is the fulfillment of every dream I have ever had of being a “country doc,” the term used...(read more)

Do-It-Yourself NP Job Opportunity

Elizabeth Huston — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 13:41:00 GMT

My goal in becoming a nurse was to obtain the credentials to help in a more meaningful way than volunteering alone. My goal as an NP is to care for an underserved rural population, specifically to work in one of the federal funding-qualified community...(read more)

Treating Addiction in Prison

Beverly Clayton — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:50:00 GMT

While watching television the other day, I noted a commercial for a pain reliever medication. I have seen this commercial numerous times but this day I found the marketing approach interesting. The scenario goes as follows: a woman suffering from arthritis...(read more)

A Clinic Absorbed by a Healthcare System

Elizabeth Huston — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 17:01:00 GMT

What I most enjoy about the clinic in Aurora is its leisurely pace and the luxury of time with each patient — time to go beyond social niceties and actually learn something about them, time to delve into other factors that might mitigate the presenting...(read more)

Bringing Primary Care Home

Samantha Damren — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 19:16:00 GMT

During this final rotation I have the opportunity to participate in home-based primary care. This program is directly influenced by Dr. Mary Naylor’s research and application of transitional care from the hospital to the home. Patients enrolled in this...(read more)

When the Boss Goes on Vacation

Beverly Clayton — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 20:12:00 GMT

The saying, "When the cat's away the mice will play" may only apply to animals. The first time my collaborating physician went on vacation, she did not tell me until the day before. She thought that I might worry if she gave me too much time to think...(read more)

Prescribing for Mental Health

Samantha Damren — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT

In watching the practice of prescribing psychotropic medications I am very hesitant about my own prescriptive practices and keenly observant of other practitioners. I am acutely sensitive to the issue. It seems like every other patient I see, irrespective...(read more)

Fat and the Heart: Reconsidering Conventional Wisdom

Samantha Damren — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:55:00 GMT

Calamitous topics of conversation to initiate with strangers include politics, religion and body weight. I multiply that degree of calamity by 100 when the stranger is my patient. So, I carefully avoid the bits about God and Country. However, avoidance...(read more)

Skipping My NP Graduation Ceremony

Elizabeth Huston — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 15:43:00 GMT

Well, I skipped the graduation ceremony. An email was sent a couple of days before with instructions for parking and the goings-on at the ceremony. My family (parents in their 70s) would have to trek ~2 miles from the parking garage to the vicinity of...(read more)