Integrated Experiences III Formal Paper: The Nurse’s Role in the Opioid Epidemic Brief Excerpt: After hearing Kerri Barton’s presentation about opioid use and harm reduction earlier this semester, I was moved to start exploring the nurse’s role in the current drug crisis. So often, it seemed, my patients in clinical had struggled with some type … [Read more…]
Composed of 17 campuses and spanning from preschool through 12th grade and adult education, the Portland Public Schools are home to a large and diverse student population. Tina Veilleux is the School Nurse Coordinator for the district, overseeing the nurses in each school in addition to a variety of other roles. I had the opportunity … [Read more…]
An unexpected but integral part of this independent study has been the opportunity to connect with and observe the work of the Maine Department of Education’s School Health Services Team. Initially, I had no idea that this team even existed, yet it has become increasingly clear to me the important role they play in supporting … [Read more…]
Having worked as a CNA in memory care for a handful of years, collaboration is not a new skill for me. After all, teamwork is present everywhere in this field, be it in the form of discussing updates to a resident’s care plan with the nurse or assisting another CNA to transfer a patient. Yet … [Read more…]
Course Description: This course explores theoretical frameworks that inform the mental health nursing care of individuals, families, and communities of diverse cultures and backgrounds across the continuum of care. Emphasis is placed on the development and implementation of knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary when providing nursing care to those with acute and chronic mental illness … [Read more…]
I have always loved learning people’s stories. Even if we have vastly different interests or backgrounds, I appreciate hearing what makes someone happy, the things they are passionate about, and how they choose to spend their time. A friend of mine recently got a new job as a toll collector on the Maine Turnpike. After … [Read more…]
Beginning my junior year of nursing school was a transition, to say the least. I, along with my peers, experienced an uptick in course workload, responsibilities, and expectations from professors. Sweatpants and hoodies in Biddeford became business casual attire and scrubs in Portland. Identifying structures on models in anatomy lab turned into identifying these landmarks … [Read more…]
Growing up with family members in law enforcement (and as an avid reader of crime novels), I have always had an interest in forensics, but little knowledge of how it could be applied to the nursing profession. As a first year nursing student, our class had a presentation from another forensic nurse, which first opened … [Read more…]
As nurses and healthcare professionals in today’s increasingly fast-paced, interconnected world, it is not enough to just be well-versed in the latest medical advancements and treatments. Instead, nurses must be aware of the unique issues and challenges in the communities they serve, recognizing and addressing risks to impaired health and potential disparities. Here in Maine, … [Read more…]
Peruse through almost any travel guide to Cape Elizabeth and you will likely be directed to attractions, amenities, and activities in the livelier neighboring city of Portland. But our tiny town of just under 10,000 has much to offer without venturing beyond its borders (though make sure to pay Portland–one of the foodie capitals of … [Read more…]
