About One DNP

I earned my "terminal practice" degree in nursing from the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in a journey of excitement and challenge. It inspired me to advocate for an all encompassing clinical credential rather than continuing the hodgepodge of nonsensical initials. I hope these entries will provide entertainment and insight into the Doctor of Nursing Practice experience, which will soon be the entry standard for all advanced practice nurses.

Friday, July 29, 2011

A Final Word on Epidemiology

This time last year I was in knots of excitement over starting the DNP program and had no idea I was in store for one of the most challenging and frustrating courses since Mr. Wilhelmi's 7th grade science class (I contend his leaf identification test is still the most difficult exam of all time). So in honor of Epi memories of yore, and since I am stuck with the textbook which couldn't even pass "acceptable" status on Amazon buyback, I would like to share the following quotes:

"People commonly use statistics like a drunk uses a lamppost: for support rather than for illumination."—Mark Twain

"Epidemiology is nothing to hang your hat on. Correlations may indicate something about populations, but if you, yourself, find you exercise better at a particular time of day, they are almost useless." - Mark Sisson

"To every complex question there is a simple answer … and it is wrong."—H.L. Mencken

"Of course we don't know what we're doing, that's why it's called research."—Albert Einstein

"The greatest public health threat for many American women is the men they live with" - Anna Quindien

"Being approximately right most of the time is better than being precisely right occasionally."—Anonymous

"Prejudice is a great time saver. You can form opinions without having to get the facts."—E.B. White

"Chance favors the prepared mind."—Louis Pasteur

"That's all very well in practice, but will it work in theory?" - Anonymous

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

"I'm Going to Disneyland!"

I am officially registered for the APNA conference . . . a good thing since I am presenting!


3011: Social Networking for Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurses
Jaclyn Engelsher, RN-BC, APRN, FNP-BC, DOM; Tanitha Moncier, FNP
Abstract
Social networking, a relatively new communication phenomenon, has the ability to provide education, foster advocacy, promote the profession, and influence mental health policy. It also has the potential to violate boundaries, infringe on privacy, create liability, and damage professional credibility. A review of the literature revealed limited research has been conducted concerning the impact and use of social networking sites in nursing practice and other healthcare disciplines. In 2010 the ANA issued an informal resolution regarding use of social media in keeping with the Code of Ethics and called for additional study.
In Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, communication is the foundation of the therapeutic alliance. Because social networking communications have the potential to positively and negatively affect this alliance, it is imperative to develop guidelines for prudent and resourceful usage of social networking media that complies with practice acts, promotes professionalism, and maintains work-life balance for the psychiatric mental health nurse. This session will provide an overview of different types of social media outlets, review published position statements from other healthcare disciplines, and consider best practices for Psychiatric/Mental health nursing.



After looking at the schedule, I wish I was multi-planer because there are a lot of interesting topics going on at the same time including a military specific track, integration of mental and physical healthcare practice, and use of complementary modalities from music making to use of heavy quilts as a comfort measure for depression. I must admit, I am hope the LACE discussions are as lively as they were last year. I love a good nurse fight (getting it out is far better mentally and much more entertaining then letting angst fester into lateral violence later on!).

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Networking Nurse Notice

Just "LinkedIn" with author and fellow FNP Stephen Ferrara from NYC. Check out his awesome blog about the nursing world: A Nurse Practitioner's View