Caduceus Newsletter:
Fall 2002.10, Week of October 28
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Caduceus Newsletter: Fall 2002.10, Week of October 28 |
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Table of Contents:
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è 1. Haiti Medical Mission Travelogue (courtesy of Andy Asbury & Edin Basic |
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è 1. Haiti Medical Mission Travelogue (courtesy of Andy Asbury & Edin Basic |
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During the recent Fall Break, 4 CBU students, including Nina Addison, Andy Asbury, Edin Basic and Scott Adelman, participated in a medical mission to Haiti. Here are a few of the photographs that Andy and Edin Basic took. |
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The medical team: |
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Patients arrive at the clinic. (Apparently, the patients start arriving at the compound at ~4:30 a.m., and start knocking on the doors. The clinic inside the compound does not open until ~7:30 a.m.) |
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The clinic is equipped to allow in-patient surgery under local anesthetic. Here, an orange-sized lipoma (benign fatty tumor) is being removed. |
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Haiti is among the poorest countries in the world. These are typical living quarters for families. |
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The compound is surrounded by mountains, so the scenery is spectacular. |
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What was I thinking? WHAT WAS I THINKING?!? |
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è 2. LET'S SEE WHAT DIAGNOSTIC SKILLS YOU HAVE! Introducing YOU MAKE THE CALL, featuring the daily health column of Dr. Peter Gott. |
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Dr. Peter Gott writes a syndicated daily health column which appears in the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Each week, I will reprint a letter sent to him by a reader to allow you to consider a reply. During the following week, I will reprint his reply, either verbatim or as excerpts. (I've received written permission from him to reprint letters to him and his replies.) LET'S SEE WHAT DIAGNOSTIC SKILLS YOU HAVE! OK, here's the letter to Dr. Gott, which appeared in the August 15, 2002 issue of the Commercial Appeal -- "Dear Dr. Gott: My employer has recently instituted a random drug-testing policy. I occasionally smoke grass. Will the analysis be able to detect marijuana in my system through urine testing and, if so, how long will the drug be present in my body." YOU MAKE THE CALL! |
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è 3. WANTED: ONE MILLION NURSES BY 2010. Reprinted with permission from the Benjamin Cummings "Strategies for Success" newsletter #38, copyright 2002, Pearson Education, Inc. |
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WANTED: ONE MILLION NURSES BY 2010 Brenda Nevidjon, Duke University School of Nursing nevid001@mc.duke.edu The headlines about the nursing shortage have been increasingly dire, with predictions of a 20 percent shortage by 2020 if the supply is not increased. Specifically, we need to prepare and graduate a million nurses by 2010-but enrollments in nursing programs have declined for six years while 'the-demand for nurses has continued to increase. Enrollments in the fall of 2001 were slightly increased (a possible indication that the decline has ended), but substantial enrollment increases are needed to even approximate a million nurses by 2010. In addition, the smaller post-baby boom generation means more competition from all industries to recruit the best and brightest students. Focus on Nursing as a Profession There is good news, though. Momentum to recruit students into nursing is escalating through national, state, and local efforts. President Bush recently signed the Nurse Reinvestment Act, which outlines several strategies to address the nursing shortage. The Campaign for Nursing's Future, funded by Johnson & Johnson, is an initiative to support America's nursing professionals and includes national television ads launched during the Winter 2002 Olympics. (Check their Web site, www.discovernursing.com.) National nursing and health care organizations have united to develop strategies to recruit students into nursing and retain nurses in the work place (see these Web sites: www.ana.org, www.nursingsociety.org, and nln.org). States, too, have funded initiatives to increase nursing school enrollment and promote nursing as a career choice, and schools of nursing and health care organizations are partnering to provide scholarships in exchange for service after graduation. More good news is that there is finally a focus on the important role that nurses have in the health of Americans. Nurses are the glue that holds our health care system together. They are at the point of patient contact, whether in the hospital, clinic, skilled nursing home, or home-more than any of the other health care professionals. Yet, there are many misconceptions about what a nurse is and what a nurse does. Thus, one goal has been to develop media pieces that portray an accurate picture of nursing. One analogy that nurses use to explain nursing is from the Wizard of Oz: the characteristics of heart, courage, and brains. The first two are probably more recognized by students considering nursing as a career, but the third is very important given the rapid changes that occur in health care. A strong science knowledge base is important for nurses-and science instructors can help students consider the benefits of nursing as a career choice. A key message in recruiting students to nursing is that a lifetime of career choices follow from nursing as the entry. Nurses can choose career paths in clinical care, education, administration, and research and can cross back and forth on these paths. Nurses can work in any setting where health care is provided, from hospitals to the home, from schools to cruise ships, at home and abroad. Nurses have the flexibility to pursue advanced degrees or work a schedule that aligns with family priorities. A nursing education can also lead to advanced education in law or business. The possibilities are endless, a fact often overlooked about nursing. Recruitment Strategies Strategies to recruit students into nursing are plentiful, but it's important to have recruiters who are enthusiastic about nursing as a career. They must be able to talk about the pivotal role nurses have in caring for patients and be able to relate to a variety of potential students. Career days, for example, should include nurses or nursing students, especially if the recruiter is a non-nurse. Many universities have developed health profession career programs that can be effective with undergraduate students who may be majoring in science and considering health professions. These programs are a partnership between the undergraduate school and the allied health schools that helps students experience the health care environment. The traditional audience recruited to nursing is high school students. Nurses and health care organizations are reaching out to high school science teachers and guidance counselors to educate them about nursing so they can advise their students accurately. As part of The Campaign for Nursing's Future, packets that included a video, brochures, and posters were sent to all high schools. Some high schools have centers for health careers where school of nursing faculty, nursing students, and experienced nurses can serve as volunteers. Summer programs for high school students, such as nursing career camps, are offered to give prospective nursing students an in-depth experience. Maintaining these connections between the high schools and health care educators and providers will be necessary to ensure effective ongoing recruitment. Special efforts are being made to recruit men and minority students into nursing, which is over 90% white and female. Recruitment efforts need to be tailored to these groups. While a strategy such as a summer camp may be used across groups, the content and speakers should be tailored to the audience. Male and minority nurses should be active in these efforts to answer questions and be role models for students. Another recruitment focus is on people seeking a career change. The economic downturn and the effects of September 11 have spurred many adults to find a career in which they "can make a difference." Schools of nursing have responded by developing accelerated programs for those who have a bachelor's or higher degree to complete a bachelor's or master's in nursing. Prerequisites for these programs include science, so the adult in a science course may be on his or her way to a nursing degree. The goal of recruiting and graduating a million nurses by 2010 will not be accomplished by focusing solely on high school students or adults who are seeking a second career. A continuous and healthy flow of students into nursing must be accomplished. As educators say, children may have made up their minds about desirable or undesirable careers by the time they are in fourth or fifth grade. Thus, creating a positive image of nursing early in children's education is important. Some schools of nursing are assigning nursing students to do class presentations or create displays about a nursing career in area elementary schools. In today's age of technology, having a Web site that is easy to navigate and answers questions about a nursing career is a key to successful recruitment. But, the site needs to be backed up with responsive and personal contact. Part of nursing's foundation is forming relationships with people at intimate moments in their lives. Thus, building relationships with potential students and nurturing their interest in nursing needs to be modeled as early as possible and to as many groups as possible. There is good news about nursing as a career and the word needs to be spread widely and enthusiastically. Nursing offers the chance to make a difference in someone's life and to do that in many different ways over the course of a career. Today, national, state, and private funding options exist to help prospective students complete their education. And last, but not least, an annual Gallup survey shows that nurses are ranked at the top as the most trusted of all professions. |
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è 4. Upcoming PHP events and Open Houses |
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Thursday, October 31 - from 12 noon through 1:15 p.m. The 2nd annual Halloween Lunchtime Concert at the Alfonso Dining Hall of the Thomas Center. Jerry Swanberry will need help from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in delivering the sound equipment to the Alfonso Dining Hall, setting up for the concert, and then breaking down and returning the equipment. Please let me know if you can help during that time. Saturday, November 2nd - The Indiana University School of Optometry invites everyone to attend its annual Open House, coming up on Saturday afternoon November 2nd. Advisors, students, and families are all welcome! We'll have tours and demonstrations, and information sessions about admissions and financial aid. Please see our website for more information, and call (812) 855-1917 if you have questions. Jackie Olson Jacqueline S. Olson
è 5. The Old and the New |
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The OLD American Gothic. |
The NEW American Gothic. |
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Dr. Stan Eisen, Director
Preprofessional Health Programs
Christian Brothers University
650 East Parkway South
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 321-3447
FAX: (901) 321-4433
Mail to:
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