1/2 way there and Happy holidays!

By the time this gets posted, I will be home hanging out with my family with a new haircut and a pedicure to boot… it’s the little things!!

The end of the semester went as expected; finals were tough, but the thought of being halfway done with our program was the motivator I needed to make it through.

Now for little nostalgia.

Around this time last year (I can hardly believe this was one 12 months ago), I found out that I had been accepted to the Johns Hopkins Accelerated Nursing Program. Chris Boyle, an Admissions Officer, called and left a message for me while I was at work, and he gave no information- just to call him back.  It was a Friday, there was a time difference, and I had no way of knowing for sure.

Obviously, Chris Boyle wanted to see me suffer… I kid! I kid!

But seriously- longest weekend of my life…

Guess who was up 5:30am California time on Monday?

Just to remind him, Chris Boyle helped make my Christmas last year. Thanks, buddy.

Anyway, CONGRATS to all those accepted into the program! Come visit, take a tour, talk to a faculty member or student- you will not regret it.  You can even email me: dziser1@son.jhmi.edu any time with questions or concerns.  I’m even happy to answer questions over my break- that is work I don’t mind doing.

Speaking of questions, that is one of the topics I wanted to quickly discuss.  The topic being to always ask them.

In this pressure-cooker-competitive medical campus setting, it can be really intimidating to ask questions, or raise a concern to doctors, nurse practitioners, and other RNs.  You may feel like you don’t have any place asking those people about their jobs or knowledge.

Remember that we’re all learning and nobody’s perfect- including docs, NPs, and RNs.  Even if you think it may be silly, or irrelevant, always ask. If it’s just for your own knowledge, that is reason enough.

I understand that sometimes this is easier said than done, particularly if a person is especially intimidating.  But Johns Hopkins has helped me gain confidence (not arrogance, there is a difference) in my abilities and thinking process.  If I feel it’s in my patient’s best interest to ask, I’m going to ask.

So that’s my pre-winter break two-cents.

PLEASE feel free- whether you’ve been accepted, you’re waiting to hear, or you’re just interested in the program- to email with questions!

Have a wonderful holiday!