New Grad NP : Education

Reflecting on 2012

Beverly Clayton — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 20:25:00 GMT

Wow! What a year this has been and with each opportunity and experience I have been able to share, I have the ADVANCE community to thank for helping me to grow and be a better professional. I have met so many wonderful people who continue to offer support...(read more)

My One Year Anniversary as an NP

Elizabeth Huston — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 13:21:00 GMT

It's ironic that I wrote my last post on October 15, 2012, the 1-year anniversary of my one and only job as an NP. What a year! Or, rather, what a year and a half! The worst of times, yes (the end of a 30-year marriage in June 2011), but also the very...(read more)

Helping Students

Beverly Clayton — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:15:00 GMT

True friendship is a tremendous responsibility, a responsibility that I do not take lightly. My best friend has wanted to return to school for many years to pursue her master's in education, but due to life (married with children, work, financial) she...(read more)

Answering Patients' Questions

Samantha Damren — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 12:16:00 GMT

Lately it seems a rash (no pun intended) of patients have asked me how it was that they contracted their Staph infections. Some had MRSA, others MSSA. Some suffered from bacteremia, others osteomyelitis, and others still were challenged by skin/soft tissue...(read more)

Battling Antiobiotic Resistance

Samantha Damren — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 13:04:00 GMT

In this day and age of antibiotic resistance, good hand washing remains a standard way to reduce bacterial transmission. Promptly addressing cuts or scrapes with soap, water and alcohol or H2O2, and applying topical antibiotic creams can also help reduce...(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)

The Spectrum of Unease

Samantha Damren — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 12:00:00 GMT

All of my mentors warned me of the steep learning curve post graduation. Like a Greek chorus, they all cautioned me that these first few years are gratifying at best and belittling at worst. Only a few months into my new role as an ANP, I feel the swells...(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)

Passing the NP Certification Exam

Samantha Damren — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:30:00 GMT

As I study for the boards, my preference for studying certain organ systems - and the avoidance of others - has become very clear. Aside from passing the exam (fingers crossed), another excellent byproduct of my studies has been exposing the areas of...(read more)

Keeping Up With Professional Publications

Beverly Clayton — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:58:00 GMT

In a previous post I wrote about being a lifelong learner. I always desire to stay current on the latest research-based studies and new technology that has been released. However, while I attempt to complete this task, I wonder, how does everyone keep...(read more)

Certification Renewal: What Does It Take?

Beverly Clayton — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 19:10:00 GMT

Certification renewal for me is approximately 4 years away but like anything dreaded, it is here before you know it. You ask yourself, “Where has the time gone?” I decided to review the criteria for renewal and I began to feel somewhat overwhelmed. One...(read more)

Healthcare Terminology Bugaboos

Beverly Clayton — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:49:00 GMT

Over the past several years I have noticed a growing phenomenon. I do not know when or how got it started, but it has been occurring in record proportions, in my humble opinion. Maybe I just say this because I find it to be quite annoying, and when I...(read more)