LPN Cafe

LPN Profile: Amanda Cosburn

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Name:
Amanda Cosburn
Age: 23
Your city or town of residency:
Victoria BC

School name and location at which you graduated or will graduate from Practical Nursing:
Sprott Shaw community college
When are you expected to graduate or when did you graduate?
I graduated Feb. 26th of this year.

1) What made you want to be a Licensed Practical Nurse?
I grew up health condition called PKU or phenylketonuria so I grew up very involved in health and working closely with many nurses. I will never forget the nurses who cared for me as a child and what they did for not only me but my family. I wanted to pay it forward. I looked up to the nurses I knew. I wanted to help people like they did and do something with my life I could be proud of.

2) What courses or other prerequisites did you need to do in order to do the PN program?
I was a horrible high school student and had bad grades so I had to do some upgrading. I needed to take my biology 12, WHIMIS, FOODSAFE, and fist aid. I almost needed to upgrade my math too but just barely met the criteria. I had very strong English and that was a prerequisite too.

3) Did you choose a private or public school to do your program and why?
Private. There was a 2 year wait list at the public college. And the college I choose included alot of extras included in the tuition. My boyfriend and I thought alot about the two colleges and the price differences before had. Even writing out the pros and cons. We figured out even though the private college was twice as much as the public college, with no wait I would be out in the field working faster and could pay it back.

4) Did you have to be on a waiting list to get into your program?
I signed up in October 2008 and Started Feb 2009. There were 2 seats left in the morning class and 9 in the evening. I really wanted day classes and I made it!!

5) What was your favorite part of the PN program? What was your least favorite?
I loved so many things about the course. It’s really hard to say. It taught me so much about life, a new way of thinking and seeing the world. But it also taught me about myself. I really enjoyed alot of the theory; health class was my strongest subject as well as professional issues and communications. My least favorite thing was how crammed the course was. Sometimes I wasn’t sure if I was really learning or just memorizing facts. Also our lab equipment was lacking.

6) Did you find it difficult to balance your school work with your personal life?
My boyfriend and I have been together 5 years this summer and he was incredible with keeping me focused and making me not feel left out of activities. I studied hard and made alot of cuts back to my personal life. But none that I regret. One thing I learned right away was I definitely could not work while going to school. So it put a strain on my boyfriend and I financially and we had to learn to live with out alot of luxuries. I lean t who my true friends were, and I found out who the fake people in my life where. The friends that are still beside me today had such a big impact on me this year. My best friend tutored me and gave me pep talks before every test and my other best friend was there for me with ever emotional turmoil and crisis I had. I remember many nights
I felt like screaming and crying and pulling out my hair and they would both remind me why I was doing this and how I was going to help people. This course also made my boyfriend and me closer too. I am thankful for them everyday.
I was very serious about my grades and strived really hard to achieve my personal best so at the end of the day all that mattered to me was my grades and my boyfriend. Anything that negatively affected them I cut out and I still feel that was a good decision.

7) Where did you do your clinicals / preceptorship? What did you think of those experiences?
My first clinical was at a St. Charles manor. A long term care home. I came into this course with no health care background and no experience with the elderly. This clinical really showed me how such wonderful people they are. My second clinical was at a geriatric rehab floor called 7N. It was probably my most favourite clinical experience. It really satisfied my beliefs that I could excel at this course.
Also it was a great floor to learn on. Great team nursing and the house doctors were very helpful with students. We got to work with alot of other health care team members. Third semester clinical was acute care and the one I was dreading the most. It was on 6D north at VGH. Acute care medical. I will never forget it because I experienced my first patient death on this rotation. The one thing I always knew I would have to face and wondered how I would handle it. Death has always been something I have not dealt with well. But I handled it well and I was very glad to be there for her. It def taught me about my own spirituality and faith. Something I had none of when I started the course.
My preceptor ship was on 4a south GI acute care. A taste of the real world. Real shifts and more duties than skills. The long hours and over nights away from my boyfriend took a toll and exhausted my body. I also had an injury during the rotation. I had a pt fall and I caught her and saved her but I tore my neck shoulder and rotator cuff.

8) What has been the most memorable experience for you as a student PN?
Oh gosh there are so many to choose from. I guess I would have to say it’s a toss between the clinicals and meeting new friends. I’m sure I will keep in contact with many of my classmates. We shared a lifetime new experiences together.

9) Where do you want to work as a LPN?
I just applied at all the locations I did my clinicals, surgical day care, and I am interested in working in geriatrics, acute care or orthopaedics.

10) Would you say it is difficult for LPNs to find work? If so why do think that is?
Yes it is difficult if you are a new graduate. Right now VGH has shut down a floor and there is a lot of shuffling around and bumping. I am still trying to grasp the politics of it. But it’s obvious as new grads we start at the bottom and have to fight our way up. Plus we have all our classmates to compete with.

11) What do you think the future of Licensed Practical Nursing looks like?
I think as nursing the future of LPNs is dynamic and the scope is going to keep broadening and I am very excited to be a part of it!

12) Do you have any comments or suggestions for others who are considering a career in Practical Nursing?
Be ready to be pushed, to be tested and do a lot of soul searching. Be ready to laugh and cry all at the same time, be ready to open your mind and learn a new way of living and thinking. Be prepared for long shifts and long nights, to be exhausted right down to every muscle and every bone in your body, but remember you are making a difference in someone’s life. There is no better feeling.

Please write any additional comments about nursing, your career or things you’d like other LPNs to know:

I had this patient when I was on 7N in my second semester clinical, who I will never forget. I think about her so often. I was still so new and not use to the elderly. Growing up with no grandparents or really anyone other than my parents they were so new to me. This little old lady became someone who I greatly looked forward to seeing every morning when I came to work and she felt the same way to. We spent a lot of time together and she told me many stories. Since 7north is a rehab floor she was recovering from an injury and everyday when she saw me she had something exciting to tell me about her recovery or to show me. I remember I came back from holidays and she was waiting for me in her room and she had this huge smile on her face. She said she had been waiting for me, She said she had something to show me. She held my hand and looked at me with a wide smile. And STOOD up out of her wheel chair!! I was so amazed and happy and we laughed and we cried together. She told me she was going home today and wrapped me in her arms and hugged me and kissed my cheek. She told me I had helped her so much. And how much she loved me. She really made everything I had been going through as a nursing student worth it. I really will never forget her. The moment I watched her leave waving and crying with happy tears, I realized in my heart, I had finally found my way. I was in the right place and doing what I was meant to do. I felt it over every inch of my mind body and soul!

I am so happy to be new nursing graduate and I can’t wait to begin my career!!