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Advancing roles
ROADMAPS
Advancing Roles Darla K. DeWolff, MSN, MPH, BSN, RN, CPNP 44
Y
ES, I PASSED!” shouting with excitement to my husband, Steve, and new baby, Olivia. “Look, look, 1 passed!” waving the gold-sealed paper in the air. I was referring to the fact that I had just received that infamous, large envelope containing my NCBPNP results. Wondering what news it would bring, I had waited with anxiety, apprehension, and hope for the day that it would arrive at my front door. The wait was finally over. Now that the celebratory period has started to wane, the impact of the results has prompted me to think of advancing roles, that is, from a pediatric hematology/oncology clinic nurse to that of a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with hematology/oncology experience. Working with children that have hematologic or oncologic disorders is rewarding and challenging for me. I find it rewarding in the sense that these children transcend such tortuous and torturous treatments, yet they still smile at the end of the day, willing to give me a hug, During my tenure as a clinical nurse, I enjoyed the continuity of care with the families from diagnosis through maintenance and finally to that very last chemo injection-truly a celebratory occasion. I find it challenging in helping these families to cope with the dreaded diagnosis of cancer and, unfortunately, the untimely death of their beloved child. It was difficult back then for me to balance the celebrations with the deaths, and it still is today. When I think back to the days when I was a clinic nurse infusing chemotherapy, transfusing blood products, drawing blood from central lines, and starting intravenous lines, I felt comfortable, capable, and knowledgeable, From Oak Park, IL. o 1999 by Association ofpediatric Oncology Nurses 1043-4542/99/l 604-0005$3.00/O 214
but these feelings didn’t develop overnight. It took time and perseverance. What a challenge it was and how overwhelmed I felt when I first started to learn and master these different skills. Adrenalin zooming through my body, nerves shaking, droplets of sweat forming on my brow every time I hung that bag of blood, chemo, or aimed that 23-gauge catheter at a child’s vein. The responsibility and techniques were very new and great to me at that time. I have to keep reminding myself of these feelings and novice experiences as I move into a new realm of advanced nursing practice. Now in my advanced role, I am once again challenged by new responsibilities that are different from what I have previously known. That familiarity, that comfort zone is no longer there. Bone marrow aspirates, biopsies, spinal taps, assessing and diagnosing patients, determining treatment plans-wait a minute-I always thought these type of procedures were to be done by “those other people” not me. Now, I am one of “those other people.” I am the expert, the one expected to gather information, synthesize, develop a plan, and provide the rationale. What can I bring to the practice of pediatric hematology/oncology in my new role? With two advanced degrees, one in public health, the other in pediatric nursing, and a nurse practitioner fellowship from Texas Children’s Cancer Center, I hope to bring a sense of excitement, leadership, collaboration, and effective communication to my peers and other members of the health care team. I intend to pursue continuing education and nursing research, which is so vital to our role as advanced practice nurses. Although I may be a little green around the edges when it comes to procedures and lack some confidence when answering questions pertaining
Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, Voll6, No 4 (October), 1999: pp 214-215
Roadi
to a child’s diagnosis and treatment, but 1 know that just like before, these too will come with time and perseverance. To the families of this population, I hope to bring a sense of continuity, hope, encouragement, and knowledge. I believe that it is through this process that the anxiety and apprehension for families can be decreased
77aps
215
while helping to ease the wait of putting everything on hold. When the time comes after much waiting and hoping, wondering what news the bone marrow and blood results will bring, it is hoped by all practitioners that one day the patient and family can shout with excitement, “We passed and the wait is finally over!”
Advancing Roles Darla K. DeWolff, MSN, MPH, BSN, RN, CPNP 44
Y
ES, I PASSED!” shouting with excitement to my husband, Steve, and new baby, Olivia. “Look, look, 1 passed!” waving the gold-sealed paper in the air. I was referring to the fact that I had just received that infamous, large envelope containing my NCBPNP results. Wondering what news it would bring, I had waited with anxiety, apprehension, and hope for the day that it would arrive at my front door. The wait was finally over. Now that the celebratory period has started to wane, the impact of the results has prompted me to think of advancing roles, that is, from a pediatric hematology/oncology clinic nurse to that of a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner with hematology/oncology experience. Working with children that have hematologic or oncologic disorders is rewarding and challenging for me. I find it rewarding in the sense that these children transcend such tortuous and torturous treatments, yet they still smile at the end of the day, willing to give me a hug, During my tenure as a clinical nurse, I enjoyed the continuity of care with the families from diagnosis through maintenance and finally to that very last chemo injection-truly a celebratory occasion. I find it challenging in helping these families to cope with the dreaded diagnosis of cancer and, unfortunately, the untimely death of their beloved child. It was difficult back then for me to balance the celebrations with the deaths, and it still is today. When I think back to the days when I was a clinic nurse infusing chemotherapy, transfusing blood products, drawing blood from central lines, and starting intravenous lines, I felt comfortable, capable, and knowledgeable, From Oak Park, IL. o 1999 by Association ofpediatric Oncology Nurses 1043-4542/99/l 604-0005$3.00/O 214
but these feelings didn’t develop overnight. It took time and perseverance. What a challenge it was and how overwhelmed I felt when I first started to learn and master these different skills. Adrenalin zooming through my body, nerves shaking, droplets of sweat forming on my brow every time I hung that bag of blood, chemo, or aimed that 23-gauge catheter at a child’s vein. The responsibility and techniques were very new and great to me at that time. I have to keep reminding myself of these feelings and novice experiences as I move into a new realm of advanced nursing practice. Now in my advanced role, I am once again challenged by new responsibilities that are different from what I have previously known. That familiarity, that comfort zone is no longer there. Bone marrow aspirates, biopsies, spinal taps, assessing and diagnosing patients, determining treatment plans-wait a minute-I always thought these type of procedures were to be done by “those other people” not me. Now, I am one of “those other people.” I am the expert, the one expected to gather information, synthesize, develop a plan, and provide the rationale. What can I bring to the practice of pediatric hematology/oncology in my new role? With two advanced degrees, one in public health, the other in pediatric nursing, and a nurse practitioner fellowship from Texas Children’s Cancer Center, I hope to bring a sense of excitement, leadership, collaboration, and effective communication to my peers and other members of the health care team. I intend to pursue continuing education and nursing research, which is so vital to our role as advanced practice nurses. Although I may be a little green around the edges when it comes to procedures and lack some confidence when answering questions pertaining
Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, Voll6, No 4 (October), 1999: pp 214-215
Roadi
to a child’s diagnosis and treatment, but 1 know that just like before, these too will come with time and perseverance. To the families of this population, I hope to bring a sense of continuity, hope, encouragement, and knowledge. I believe that it is through this process that the anxiety and apprehension for families can be decreased
77aps
215
while helping to ease the wait of putting everything on hold. When the time comes after much waiting and hoping, wondering what news the bone marrow and blood results will bring, it is hoped by all practitioners that one day the patient and family can shout with excitement, “We passed and the wait is finally over!”