Detroit Area Nurse Advocates Advanced Degrees To Boost Careers
Being a nurse takes dedication, patience and critical thinking, usually under high levels of stress and time constraints. It is a rewarding field that takes a solid background in education to perform in this environment. Julia Barhoumeh is a registered nurse with a bachelor of science in nursing. She is currently employed at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital.
What is your current position within the health industry?
"My job entails providing skilled care to my patients. My priority is to continually assess, monitor and evaluate their physical, physiological and psychological health status based on each patient's nursing diagnosis. I am the communication between my patient and his or her physician, kind of like their voice when they are unable to speak. Above all, I am my patient's advocate."
How has your degree helped you advance in your career?
"Without my degree in nursing, I wouldn't have been able to work in my chosen career. Initially, I obtained my associate's degree of science in nursing. This was a great program and I felt prepared to work after graduating. It taught me many of the skills necessary to perform my job competently. However, my baccalaureate education has provided me with a broader perspective of the nursing field and health care in general and has really emphasized evidenced-based practice. It has also allowed for future prospects in career expansion.
"Master's degree program options such as nurse pracitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse educator and/or clinical nurse specialist are now available for me. The education I received provided me with the skills necessary to succeed at providing high-quality patient care. In addition, it taught me how to manage interpersonal and intrapersonal skills. I learned how to deal with work conflicts, with a big emphasis on evidence. I was also introduced to new skills and technologies because science is constantly changing."
What was the most important thing you took away from your time at school?
"I took away the importance of always, always, always double and triple checking everything I touch, administer, evaluate or interpret to ensure it is exactly what and for whom I think it is. A human's life is not a game and the existence of human error is reality."
After receiving a BA in Photography from Savannah College of Art & Design, Nicole Wrona began working with a diverse range of musicians. In addition, she is a freelance writer for numerous publications. Her work can be found at www.metalleaves.com and Examiner.com.
