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 TRAINING
STUDENTS FOR CHANGING DEMANDS IN BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH:
Student Perspectives on Meeting this Challenge
In
December 1996 I received my Masters in Nursing specializing as a Family
Practice nurse. Since then I have worked within the UTMB institution as
a nurse practitioner in one of the UT-Med satellite clinics. I love
seeing patients as a provider and enjoy the privilege of working and
collaborating with a group of physicians whom I admire and respect
completely. These physicians epitomize love and compassion to all the
patients that they care for and have been my role models for my
practice.
One of
the patients that I saw in my clinic was an elderly woman, who had come
in for a seemingly benign complaint. She impressed me in the way she
carried herself, and the intelligent questions she asked regarding her
illness and treatment. During our visit, she noticed my diploma plaques
on the wall and questioned me about what I did and whether I had ever
thought of going back to school to get my doctorate. I told her that as
a Nurse Practitioner, I was content because I was doing what I wanted
since I was a child. I further told her that I didn’t think I would ever
want to go back to get a doctorate because I wasn’t interested in doing
research. She then informed me that she had a doctorate and that she had
enjoyed the research while pursuing it. She gave me the most important
advise that I could ever have received; she said that if you find a
passion in a subject in which you can do research, it would not be
difficult but interesting and “fun”. I took me several more years before
this came to be.
My
husband was diagnosed with Hepatitis C in 1986 and was treated in 1999
with a new drug that had just been approved by the FDA. He had to endure
very painful and stressful days and months, ending a year later. During
his illness, the role within our relationship reversed and I did
everything that he used to do for me. This was very difficult as I had
always enjoyed knowing that he took care of me. Fortunately, he has been
viral free for five years now and together we have founded and enjoy
working with a liver support group.
Sometimes, we wonder why certain things happen in our lives and at the
time they are occurring, do not understand what good could ever come out
of it. Reflecting back, I see now that this event was what would change
my life forever. It served to teach me humility and insight as a care
taker of a loved one who is undergoing chemotherapy with a potentially
terminal disease. I now understand that this experience was one more
step in my growth and pursuit of self development. I have learned that
Hepatitis C afflicts approximately 4 million Americans and many are
still undiagnosed. Working with my support group, I am continually
seeking speakers that will help us to learn more about the disease and
any new drugs or developments that are in the horizon.
In the
ensuing years, my patients often ask why I don’t go to medical school.
Until a year ago, I had always said that “I am too old to start all
over”, but finally I asked myself, if not medical school why not a Ph.D?
I decided to get my doctorate and do research in Hepatitis C with the
hope that what I do, will help others to learn more about this disease.
So I have now “found” my passion and am looking forward to doing the
research that I would otherwise have “dreaded”.
I chose to attend UTMB not only because of convenience, but because of
its reputation of being one of the greatest academic schools in Texas.
My undergraduate and graduate degrees have been from UTMB and I strongly
suspect that my three sons, who all have attended UT Austin would frown
if I would “dare” go to another school.
My oldest is presently a third year medical student at UTMB, my second
is a student in Chiropractic School and my youngest is at Austin,
majoring in pre-dental studies.
My
interview process was limited and included the doctoral faculty at the
School of Nursing. All of the faculty were up front about the program
but also encouraged us to seek them out if we ever had any problems.
When I got the letter of acceptance, I was ecstatic, it seemed as if all
the right doors were opening for me and I knew that I was on the right
road to success.
I have
now been in the program for a year and have had to counsel with my
director a couple of times. Each time, she was sympathetic and
supportive, asking how the faculty could help and gave me advice in
seeking solutions to my problems.
The classes have all been interesting and I always look forward to the
interaction with our professors and my fellow students. I thoroughly
enjoy the camaraderie and diversity of the students in the classes.
My husband who has been my inspiration and greatest supporter for the
past 29 years helps to keep me focused. He has been the one that has
been constantly reminding me to do this essay. He has been with me
during all educational endeavors and I give him credit for many of my
accomplishments, because without his encouragement, I don’t think I
could have been as steadfast as I been.
In my
curriculum, I do not have any rotations or labs but am now in the
process of choosing my faculty advisor and seeking a researcher in my
specialty of interest with whom I can do projects in my preparation for
my research and dissertation.
My
plans after graduation include continuing to do research in Hepatitis C
and manage affected patients in a clinic. I would also like to teach at
the School of Nursing in the doctoral program, to pass on the wealth of
knowledge and opportunities that this school has given me.
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