VOICES OF THE SON

Remembering Vicki Mock
On a blog site dedicated to remembering professor Victoria (Vicki) Mock, PhD, RN, FAAN, who died November 15, 2007, Dean Martha Hill noted, "The School, the Oncology Center—the entire Hopkins community—and her many friends and colleagues will miss her greatly." Celebrate the life of Dr. Vicki Mock by sharing your feelings and memories at http://www.son.jhmi.edu/blogs/vickimock. A memorial and reception will be held Monday, January 14 at 4pm in the School of Nursing's Alumni Auditorium.

Why Hopkins Nursing? Incoming Students Tell Us
"Johns Hopkins nursing was very appealing to me because we...want to make a difference in the world, whether it’s to change the neighborhood, or a country." - Julie Tam, Traditional Class '08

"I have a great need to heal. And I am determined to make a huge difference." - Gracie Parchment, Accelerated Class '08

"Nursing is an exciting field that is constantly changing. I like the idea of always learning new ideas and methods. I am a hands-on person looking forward to helping the community and experiencing a challenging profession." - Ashley Beam, Accelerated Class '08

"I chose nursing because I wanted to do something altruistic. I want to leave the world better than how I found it." - Diana Priddy, Accelerated Class '08

Dinner and a Movie
The School's Geriatric Interest Group has instituted a new technique for meeting.  Several "Dinner and a Movie" events this fall have attracted attendance exceeding 25 students, including undergraduate students from all 3 classes along with master's and PhD students too. One of the PhD students said, "It was excellent... I LOVE this movie.”  Ibby Tanner, the group's faculty sponsor said that the students "had a wonderful time, relaxing and talking with friends and reflecting on the issue of dementia after the movie ended. We just didn't expect such an exceptional turnout!"


Rosemary Mortimer, "Amazing" Clinical Instructor
In an e-mail to Dean Sandy Angell, Blake "Michele" Westendorf '09 praises faculty member Rosemary Mortimer:

"Rosemary Mortimer...is my amazing clinical instructor, one who leads by example. Rosemary has an incredibly busy schedule, yet always finds time for her students. She truly cares about us and how we are doing. It is because of instructors like Rosemary that I chose to come to Hopkins and tell others how wonderful it is."

"My older sister, Taryn Westendorf (who graduated 5/2006), told me about the 'Hopkins Experience,' but you cannot truly understand the amazing impact it has until you encounter it. The 'Hopkins Experience' is comprised of amazing faculty, state of the art technology, and incredible resources."

"From my point of view the faculty is the best part of the 'Hopkins Experience.' I have never experienced such uniform support. Not only does Hopkins have an excellent student-to-teacher ratio, it has an even better care-to-student ratio. Every teacher cares 110% about each student. While I could probably write a very similar email about each instructor I have encountered, Rosemary is the one who is forefront in my mind. She motivates us to work harder and never accepts less than our best. I have learned an incredible amount from her; one of the best being patient advocacy."

"I always hear that caring is an innate part of nursing. Rosemary has taught me that if you care, you advocate. Thank you for your time and, more importantly, thank you for accepting me and allowing me to enjoy the 'Hopkins Experience.'"

A Success Story From Julie Story '07
In an e-mail to Dean Martha Hill, alumna Julie Story notes that her Hopkins schooling has prepared her well for her new job:

"I can honestly state that my nursing education at Hopkins has "well" prepared me for novice nursing practice but more importantly provided the tools to pursue higher levels of education and critical thinking. There is a difference in the Hopkins prepared nurse AEB other new grad nurses seeking my counsel at times regarding patient care issues and deficits noted in assessments.  P.S. All of the hard work and financial investment has, without question, been worth the journey!"

What is it like to be a Hopkins nursing student?  Student Blogs Tell All!
A new group of students are blogging for the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.  Visit www.son.jhmi.edu/blogs to read more.

"Realizing not all homeless folks are mobile or drift into shelters, I decided to combine two of my loves in life to tackle this hiccup...hot dogs and cycling! So after cooking up a grill full of dogs, wrapping them in aluminum foil armed with condiment packets, packing them into a handlebar bag and backpack, I pedaled into the streets!"  - David, Traditional Class '09 (right)

"Just recently, a classmate and I put our minds together and created a class about Gestational Diabetes. The class was taught in Spanish for some of the Hispanic Women in the Baltimore Community that are at risk now for developing Diabetes Type II (speaking Uzbeck is pretty cool and more unique than Spanish, but it's hard to measure up to that standard!). We had a tremendous turnout and look forward to reaching out to this community in the future. In January, we’ll organize a class on Nutrition and the importance of physical fitness. The experiences that we have outside the textbook are what make this education extremely unique." - Lauren, Traditional Class '09

"As medical professionals, we must keep in mind that medical terminology is "another language" to the layman... So many times the doctor has left the room and I ask the family if they understood or have any other questions and they have no idea what he/she had just said. When talking with the layman, don't feel as though you are talking down to them, think of it as translation. You speak a language they don't know and you must translate to one they do. Before you came to nursing school how many of you knew what emesis was?"  - Jenice, MSN/FNP Program

Overheard At Career Day
Several alumni returned to the school for Career Day this autumn, hoping to recruit more Hopkins nurses for their place of work.  Here is what they had to say:

"I love to come back to the school for all occasions. Hopkins has given me so much and I want to give back by helping students figure out where to go.  I enjoy spending a day with them and helping them with their careers.”
- Reginald E. Bannerman, Accelerated '97, MSN/MBA '03 Children's National Medical Center (left)

 
“I love where I work and it would be great to have more Hopkins grads working there, since the students are quick learners and have a good solid educational background."
- Jesse Newman Accelerated ‘07, University of Pennsylvania Health System (right)

“I know that Hopkins has great students.  At career day, their professionalism shines through.  They come prepared with resume in hand, are dressed professionally, and ask very specific questions.”
- Stacy Garrett, MSN ‘96, Sheppard Pratt Health System (left)

“I volunteer my extra time to attend career day and recruit Hopkins students. I want to introduce them to NIH, where they can provide bedside care for clinical trials and have the opportunity to truly see miracles happen.”
- Keith Marin, Accelerated ‘04, NIH (right)

“I am the only Hopkins graduate in the new graduate program at Children's Hospital Boston.  I am here to recruit more because Hopkins graduates are so diverse and confident in their roles.”
- Bonnie O’Brien ‘07, Children's Hospital Boston

Although Chip Mitiguy from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center is not a Hopkins alum, we couldn't resist jotting down his comments:  “Hopkins is the best nursing school in the country.  Hiring one Hopkins nurse is like hiring five others!  At Career Day, Hopkins students ask me about the type of work they would do at Dartmouth--not the pay or vacation time. They are very bright and engaged; they are the leaders we’ll rely on in the future. “