Multiple Options For A Philadelphia Nurse Taking Online Nursing Program
Rebecca Lance is a substitute school nurse at Flemington-Raritan School District. She is involved in the Drexel Online Program: RN to B.S.N. program at Drexel University and plans on graduating with her nursing degree in March 2015.
Can you describe your duties as a nurse/health care administrator?
"Working as a school nurse, after many years in the emergency room, has been an adjustment. Fortunately, many of the skills I learned in the ER, such as triaging patients and treating multiple patients simultaneously, translated well into the school setting. In addition to managing acute and chronic illness and injury, I work with the school, teachers and parents to ensure there is a continuity of care for students with medical issues. The school nurse is also responsible for ensuring that any state health requirements, such as immunizations, are met."
How has your education prepared you for your career as a nurse or health care administrator?
"My associate's degree program was designed to train nurses for day-to-day care of patients, including bed baths, medication administration, and documentation. Drexel's online RN to B.S.N. program has taught me that there is more to nursing than just being a staff nurse. I have been in online classes with nurses that have specialties I have never heard of. The B.S.N. program also taught me to think critically and see how important research and evidence are to every day practice. I have learned how to seek out answers and to evaluate the source of those answers in order to decide if it is credible and should be believed. Drexel's online B.S.N. program has given me the opportunity and the confidence to advance my career, as far as I want to go."
What continuing education is required for your role?
"In order to become a school nurse in the state of New Jersey, I have to get a school nurse certificate that requires 21 credits in specific courses, in addition to my B.S.N.. In finishing my B.S.N., I am hoping to get back into the ER and out on my own before I take more classes. However, I absolutely plan on going back for a master's degree, but have not yet decided what I want to specialize in."
What advice would you give someone just starting out or who is thinking about continuing their education?
"I would advise anyone who is even considering going back for their B.S.N. to check out Drexel University Online. The program has been wonderful. It is a lot of work, and it is not always easy, but the faculty and advisors that I have worked with, have been so helpful. It felt like they only wanted to see me succeed."
Christina Thompson is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
