Back To School!

So on June 13th I began the Master of Science in Nursing with an Emphasis in Nursing Education curriculum at Grand Canyon University. I am extremely excited to be actively working toward one of my goals as a nurse. 

We have reading assignments, discussion questions and a paper already! Groups have been assigned and it will be interesting getting to know my fellow classmates.  Trying to curve my enthusiasm and post once daily so I stay on track with the requirements. 

The chapters we have to read have been engaging and inspiring.  I've always liked school and I am glad to be back to working toward not only being a staff nurse and a future nurse educator.

New Blood

No, I’m not trying to create a title for a new paranormal romance novel but I thought the title was appropriate for my comments.  Blood is the river of life that surges within us, transporting nearly everything that must be carried from one place to another in the body (Marieb, 504). 

The blood is composed of various elements, leukocytes, platelets and erythrocytes that are suspended in a fluid called plasma.  Erythrocytes or red blood cells (RBCs) develop in 5-7 days and live for 100-120 days.  Leukocytes or white blood cells (WBCs) that make up our body’s defense against disease has five types: the granulocytes family has neutrophils, eosinophils and basophils.  The agranulocytes have the lymphocytes and monocytes.   Neutrophils develop in 6-9 days and live 6 hours to a few days.  Eosinophils also develop 6-9 days and live 8-12 days.  Basophils develop 3-7 days and the life span can range from a few hours to a few days.  Lymphocytes develop over days to weeks and have a life span of hours to years (boy is immunity important!).  monocytes develop in 2-3 days and have a lifespan of months.  Platelets develop in 4-5 days and have a lifespan of 5-10 days (Marieb, 511).

Each cell type has a specific function and satisfies a specific need.  So now that I have completely lost your interest and bored you with the exciting world of blood you want me to ask me why am I talking about blood.  No new romance story between the eosinophils and the monocytes.

As you can see from the days there is a time for replenishing.  As blood cells age, new ones develop and take their place to keep the body functioning and healthy.  We monitor WBC, RBC and platelet levels, among other important lab results, to assess our patients’ health.

As a new nurse I know I am a new blood.  I am developing and preparing to be launched out into the plasma and work where I am needed.  A new grad can hope to work with matured blood, experienced nurses that have been on the front lines of patient care.

We have all read or heard about the nurses shortage and how there is an extreme need.  As a new graduate registered nurse yet to receive her first position, I am ready to help alleviate the need but getting in the door is proving challenging.

I posted on Twitter how my wish: A place where new nurses can keep their skills current while waiting for their first nursing positions.  I think hospitals and medical centers are hurting themselves but reducing the availability of new grad positions and nurse residency opportunities.

If the body does not have a replenishing of blood, it is put at risk.  Our hospitals are at risk for having a large influx of well-trained but inexperienced nurses.  This of course could affect patient centered care efficiency.

A smart solution would be to make sure all new graduate nurses were under the proctorship of an experienced nurse.  One this would make sure that the new nurse learns the healthcare system’s culture and two, this provides an appropriate avenue for the transfer of vital information.

The economy and just the way the capitalistic culture of our country doesn’t always allow for what would be “smart.”  For example I would love to be on a unit right now working with a nurse who is planning on retiring in the next year or so.  To be able to glean his/her vital knowledge would not only be a benefit to me but it would be an asset to the healthcare institution.

I am thankful for my mentors.  I utilize every opportunity to ask them questions and have them share their experiences.  I volunteer on a regular basis to help keep my skills sharp and I try to read about a  new patient centered care implement every week.

I do hope that my fellow new graduates will continue to remain hopeful and ready for the new opportunities coming our way.  As we move along in our careers as nurses I hope we will make sure to implement passing the touch and keeping the infusion of new blood into our organization so we can stay on the cutting edge of evidence based practice protocols and patient centered care changes.  May we impress upon our future employers and the people who spend a great deal of time thinking about “the money” will recognize experience is important but also new graduates will bring important assets to the table as well.  May the next generation remember that a mixture of new and matured is vital to providing the best health environment for our patients and anything less means we’re failing not just ourselves, our profession and industry but also our patients.

Reference:

Marieb, E., & Mallatt, J. (2003). Human anatomy. (3rd ed.). San Francisco: Benjamin Cummings.