Student Profile: Janie
Odessa, Texas
Evidence-based Practice Certificate/Master of Science in Nursing, UT El Paso
Expected completion: May 2008
UTTC: Your program is designed for working professionals in the healthcare industry. What do you do for work?
I’m the Director of the Diabetes Center at Medical Center Hospital. I live in Odessa. This is a town of 127,000 people sitting the hot West Texas desert between El Paso and Dallas. It’s made up of hard working ranchers and oil field workers. There are still many opportunities here. In fact, right now we’re experiencing a “boom” and there’s more work than workers. My job is in the county hospital. We employ 1,600 people.
Your program of study has students identify a clinical problem in their facility – in your case Medical Center Hospital– and then research best evidence to support a practice change. Then, you have to implement and evaluate that practice change. What have you selected to study?
I have selected to study the effects hyperglycemia has on the ICU patient toward morbidity and mortality during the hospital visit. I have access to a lot of evidence for my study on this very important subject. The hardest part has been organizing all of it!
Has learning about evidenced-based practice changed the way you approach your work at the Medical Center?
Yes! I see things in a whole new light. I’ve become more skeptical and critical in evaluation of evidence. I question everything. I look for the answers rather than taking things at face value, and I ask the same of others with whom I work.
Online learning has challenges and rewards. What would you say has been your greatest reward in this as you near program completion?
Facing the challenges, and then overcoming them. I have more confidence in myself now.
This certificate program can be part of the coursework for the Master of Science in Nursing. Does your experience with the certificate program make you want to continue through the master’s work?
Yes, I am enrolled in the MSN program. In part, because I would recommend this program – the Evidence-based Practice - to others. The instructors are very supportive. The curriculum is good. The instructors are clear about the learning goals and outcomes. They’ve designed this so each course builds on knowledge established in the previous course.
Do you have any advice for potential students considering this program?
I would tell them it is well worth the time and effort!