Transition to Employee Seamless for Former MAPP Student MAPP students work three 12-hour days as Houston Methodist Hospital employees. They all live together at the Wyndham HotelMedical Center, forming strong relationships along the way. “(My roommate and I) walk from the hotel with Houston Methodist badges worn proudly around our necks and with smiles on our faces, so excited for this opportunity,” Nowaczyk says. Once they enter the doors of the hospital, they are nurses. Nowaczyk arrives at the MICU, goes over the reports from the night shift with her preceptor, then gets into the routine of the day. But not all days are routine. “I was getting caught up on charting, and it happened; code blue,” Nowaczyk says. “From the moment the ominous overhead tone sounded until the end of the code, I experienced a wide spectrum of emotions in mere minutes. First, the adrenaline rush that comes with doing a chest compression. Then, respect and pride as I glanced around the room and saw the dedication and teamwork my unit displayed. And finally relief as we successfully palpated a pulse once again.” Soon after, respiratory arrives to extubate one of her patients. “For whatever reason, extubation is one of the moments I most eagerly anticipate on our floor,” Nowaczyk says. “I always think, if I can only hear their voice, I can finally fill in the missing pieces and sincerely know their real preferences, their sense of humor and their feelings from their perspective. It gives me peace that I can physically see them improving, which is even more reason to continue loving what I do. When the ET tube finally comes out, and my patient barely manages to whisper, ‘Hi,’ — just one syllable and I know that day was worth it.” After having watched the sun rise then set, she reviews the events of the day and mentally prepares herself for her next shift. “I know that when I return to school in the fall, I will be more than prepared to finish my senior year.”
Melanie Breitkreuz was studying nursing at UTHealth when she heard about the Houston Methodist Hospital MAPP program and was excited to apply. Breitkreuz had the chance to be part of the MAPP program’s yearround option for Houstonarea nursing students allowing them to work two 12-hour shifts a month while still attending school. The application process included an online application, reference letters, a phone interview and finally, a face-toface interview. Breitkreuz was chosen from among the more than 250 applicants and assigned to the women’s health unit on Dunn 6 West in January 2012. “I chose women’s health because it is the most exciting and nerve-racking time in a woman’s life,” Breitkreuz said. “The Dunn 6 culture is truly one of caring and education.” Participation in the MAPP program allowed Breitkreuz to develop close relationships with her preceptors and staff. She felt the staff was as interested in teaching as she was in learning. The program prepares new nurses to become familiar with the patient care areas, the staff, physicians, management and protocols. It also provides more time for students to focus on basic nursing skills. The extra practice time devoted to learning new skills was invaluable as Breitkreuz joined Dunn 6 West as a full-time RN in November 2012. “Being a part of the MAPP program helped me to feel confident in my skills and afforded me a smooth transition into my role as an RN,” Breitkreuz said. “I feel the experiences I gained were invaluable in helping me excel in my nursing practice and quickly become a successful member of the care team on my unit.” Pamela Johnson, RNC, of Labor and Delivery on Dunn 6 West, said she has loved working with the MAPP students and “welcomed them into our culture.” “The time spent training them as they join us full time is much more productive because of the comfort level they have achieved over the months spent on our unit,” Johnson said. “The transition to an independent role, which they must now assume, is much more seamless than someone starting from scratch. “We love all our nurses, new and experienced alike. We all believe it is a pleasure working with such bright, intelligent and driven young nurses.”
2014 Summer MAPP students
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