Volume

Volume 11 11 Issue
Issue 1 1 November
Fall 2023 2023
 TA B L E O F
CONTENTS
2 | Editorial: What is The Scope?
Kate Wenc, BSN class of ‘25
DUSNA Publicity Chair

3-4 | Timely Implementation of The Clinical

Immersion: A Pre-Boarding Process
Prof. Christine D’Antonio, RN, MSN
Director of Clinical Immersion

5 | A Reflection of Clinical Immersion

Cassidy Camp, BSN class of ‘24

6 | The First Steps into Nursing:

Fundamentals Clinical
Elizabeth Tyner, BSN class of ‘26

7-8 | Clinical Experiences at Duquese

Kate Wenc, BSN class of ‘25
DUSNA Publicity Chair

9 | A Nurse’s Impact: Reflections on

Patient Care
Abigail Cifaldi, BSN class of ‘26

10 | Recipe: Homemade Pumpkin

Spice Syrup

11-12 | “Vulnerability is Your Strength”:

Insights on ICU Immersion
Tanrak Ploykao, BSN class of ‘24

13 | Center for Wellbeing Information

DUSNA Meeting & Credits

14 | Next-Gen NCLEX Practice Question

15 | NCLEX Answer
Interest in Writing for The Scope

16 | DUSNA Board of Directors

NEWS MAGAZINE 1
EDITORIAL

What is The
Scope?

T
hank you for picking up this edition of The Scope! This maga-
KATE WENC zine serves to highlight the unique experiences and perspec-
Duquesne School of Nursing tives of Duquesne University nursing students. My name is
Class of 2025 Kate Wenc, and I am the publicity chair of the Student Nurses’
Association at Duquesne University (DUSNA). Over the past
DUSNA Publicity Chair two months, I have collaborated with students and faculty
to produce this publication in the hope that it will shed some light on
what life is like for student nurses.
This student-run publication was first established by past DUSNA
president Morgan Gruender and former vice president Emily Churchill.
Since its conception, The Scope has been awarded the Excellent News-
letter Award by the Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania three
times – 2013, 2014, and 2016 – and has been enjoyed by students,
faculty, families, alumni, and prospective students alike. Past publicity
chairs who have contributed to the excellence of The Scope include
Lauren Bliss, Hadley Mueller, and Veronica Phillipson.
As nursing students, we have unique experiences to share with
others, including the innumerable lessons we learn and memories we
make at clinicals. This past Spring, Duquesne student nurses partic-
ipated in the unique clinical immersion program for the first time, a
transformative experience in their educational journey. In this edition
of The Scope, we will hear from students and faculty at every stage of
their clinical education and career. The stories told in this magazine are
intended for the Duquesne School of Nursing community to reflect
upon and learn from. We hope that this will be one of many editions of
The Scope to come and that this will be a publication that can make all
Duquesne nursing students proud.
If you have questions or comments, I’d love to hear from you!
Please feel free to email me at wenck@duq.edu. Letters to the editor
must include your name, contact information, and graduation year or
Duquesne affiliation. The Scope is also constantly looking for writers. If
you would like to contribute to the next edition of The Scope, my inbox
is always open.
The views expressed in The Scope are individual and do not repre-
sent the views of Duquesne University or Duquesne University School
of Nursing. The goal of this newsletter is solely to entertain, educate,
and inspire the next generation of Duquesne nurses and those who
teach and support us.
We hope you enjoy The Scope!
Best,

Kate Wenc

NEWS MAGAZINE 2
 CLINICAL IMMERSION COHORT, SUMMER-FALL 2023

TIMELY IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CLINICAL

IMMERSION: A PRE-BOARDING PROCESS
Prof. Christine D’Antonio, RN, MSN-Ed
Director of Clinical Immersion
This year alone, there have been many reports indicating an active nursing shortage crisis
across the United States. Many factors influencing the shortage reflect an aging workforce,
stress and burnout secondary to the Covid-19 Pandemic, and individuals choosing to leave
the profession for personal reasons. Due to this, there is an urgent need to prepare clinically
competent students to seamlessly transition from the classroom into the graduate nurse role at
the bedside. In support of the Duquesne University mission of “serving God by serving others”,
we as a school must make efforts to best prepare our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
graduates to the highest standard of practice to support our neighboring communities and
beyond.
A recent revision to the Duquesne University School of Nursing curriculum has initiated
efforts in leading this dire charge placed upon universities and healthcare systems nationwide.
Upon the completion of the students Sophomore year, the students are prepared with a
professional development toolkit to support their transition into the BSN Clinical Immersion
Program, and into their first Graduate Nurse position. This toolkit includes the development of
individualized short- and long-term professional goals, a resume and cover letter, tips for the
application and interview process, and resources to land a successful interview and stand out
above other candidates, showcasing their academic and clinical education obtained while at
Duquesne University.
In January of 2023, the Duquesne University School of Nursing implemented the inaugural
cohort of the BSN Clinical Immersion Program. This experience provides the students with an
additional 756 hours of hands-on clinical practicum over an extended 21-week semester. The

NEWS MAGAZINE 3
 experience is completed bi-annually beginning in January of the second semester for Junior level
nursing students, or in July of the first semester for senior level nursing students. BSN Clinical
Immersion is currently in partnership with University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Mercy
Hospital and University of Pittsburgh Magee-Womens Hospital, with the vision of expansion with
increasing enrollment anticipated into the Duquesne University Undergraduate BSN Program over
the coming years.
The BSN Clinical Immersion Program begins with a formal orientation process where the
students are provided with 36 hours of program preparation including a review of the student
and mentor expectations, student support resources, public safety protocols at the partnering
institution, and a hands-on skills review day in the Liberman Simulation Lab. This comprehensive
orientation allows the students to embark into the remaining 20 weeks with necessary resources
to promote success throughout the program.
As the student scholars begin their hands-on Clinical Immersion experience, they are
individually assigned to practice 1 on 1 with a Registered Nurse, employed through the partnering
hospital. The Registered Nurse supports the student’s experience by serving as their “Clinical
Mentor”, overseeing their patient care delivery under the student nurse scope of practice. During
the BSN Clinical Immersion Program all students are assigned at random to a medical-surgical
patient care area, with special populations including: Oncology, Trauma, Burn, Emergency
Services, Intensive Care, Detox, and Acute Rehab. During this experience the students are referred
to as a “BSN Clinical Immersion Scholar” as they transition their knowledge from the classroom
into the application of clinical judgment within their respective patient care area.
Since the implementation of this program, the students and partnering hospitals have
shared a vast amount of anecdotal feedback. In summary, this experience has provided the
students with increased confidence in their ability to succeed in the rising demands experienced
in healthcare today. Many have reported feeling a strong sense of community and belonging
amongst their assigned clinical area, which has also been reciprocated by the UPMC Mercy
Leadership Team. As a result of this successful partnership, UPMC Mercy has been able to
interview and hire select BSN Clinical Immersion Scholars to join their healthcare team as
Registered Nurses upon graduation.
In conclusion, the time has come to make a change in not only in the academic, but more
so the clinical, preparation of our graduates. The demands of the nursing shortage crisis are great,
but with the support of nurse leaders and educators alike, we can foster an inclusive pre-boarding
experience to support the surrounding healthcare systems with the onboarding and retention of
Graduate Nurses upon graduation.

NEWS MAGAZINE 4
A REFLECTION As a fourth-year student in Duquesne
University’s Nursing Program, I had very high
expectations entering my Clinical Immersion
ON CLINICAL experience. I am a part of the second group
that has the wonderful opportunity to grow
IMMERSION our skills, knowledge, and critical thinking with
some of the best mentors around. The staff
at UPMC Mercy has guided all the students
Cassidy Camp during this time, and the experience has been
nothing but rewarding. There have not been
BSN Class of 2024 many opportunities through our semester
clinicals or outside externships to obtain as
much as 756 hours of bedside interaction, one-
on-one. I previously finished my specialties
semester where I completed hours for Labor
and Delivery, Pediatrics, Population Health,
and Psychiatric Health – all preparing me for
this experience as a whole. I can vouch that
each student has different experiences, but
regardless, each of us is learning what it is like
to live the life of a registered nurse.

I am currently a mentee under a Medical

Surgical Supplemental Float ICU nurse. We
are assigned to the Medical ICU3, Neuro ICU8,
Trauma Burn Unit, and other intensive floors
located in the hospital. I have been gifted
opportunities to treat patients as young as
20 years old to patients that are 102 years
old - each possessing a different story and
diagnosis! I never could have imagined that
CASSIDY CAMP, ‘24 this new addition to the nursing program,
here at Duquesne, would provide experiences
that occur once in a lifetime. To any incoming
freshman or rising student, Duquesne’s nursing
program is like no other. The professors are
extremely supportive and engaging, and all
they want is to see you succeed. The nurses
and clinical coordinators are some of the best
people to network with and plan a future. I look
forward to seeing where this journey takes all
the class of 2024 Nursing students, including
myself, as we are each one step closer to
obtaining our final goal — the RN, BSN behind
our names!

NEWS MAGAZINE 5
 THE FIRST STEPS INTO NURSING:
FUNDAMENTALS CLINICAL
Elizabeth Tyner
BSN Class of 2026
This semester I began my first clinical experience for my Fundamentals class. I
was really nervous on my first day because I’d never spent much time in the hospital.
It was a little overwhelming in the beginning, but after I was oriented to my floor and
gained some experience, I ended up enjoying my clinical rotation the best out of all
my classes. It is easier to understand and make
connections with the lecture material once I get It is really exciting
to apply it in the hospital. My favorite part of and validating to be
clinical is when I get to talk with my patients. I able to see patients
get to learn about their point of view and come on the unit get
up with ideas of how to make them feel more discharged, since the
reason I am studying
comfortable. It’s amazing how much I have
to be a nurse is so
learned in such a short time. So far, I’ve been
I can be a part of
able to take vitals on my patients, perform skin, helping people get
neurological, and eye assessments; and watch better.
my nurse preceptors pass meds and perform
tracheostomy care. Being able to watch the
nurses on the floor and ask them questions has increased my confidence in a lot of
my nursing skills, and helps me gain insight into the reasoning behind the methods
we learn in lab. My clinical is on a stroke rehab floor, which means that I usually get to
watch my patients improve over time. It is really exciting and validating to be able to
see patients on the unit get discharged, since the reason I am studying to be a nurse
is so I can be a part of helping people to get better. I am really glad that Duquesne
allows us to gain hospital experience so early in our program compared to other
schools. It has helped me grow confidence that I made the right career decision and
that I will be a good nurse once I graduate.

NEWS MAGAZINE 6
 Clinical Experiences at Duquense
Fundamentals of Nursing Practice

Fundamentals, the first clinical course taken by Duquesne nursing students, focuses on
developing a basic understanding of disease processes and nursing interventions that
RNs frequently encounter. Clinicals take place on medical-surgical units across Pittsburgh’s
two major healthcare systems, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Centers and Allegheny
Health Network, where students get to take vitals, pass medications, give bed baths,
observe procedures, assess patients, and so much more.

Adult Health & Illness 1-2

Adult Health I, usually taken in the second half of sophomore year, builds on the knowledge
and skills acquired in Fundamentals and introduces students to common acute and chronic
conditions such as heart failure, COPD, diabetes, and seizures. Adult Health II, taken by
first-semester juniors, continues to expand on these concepts, focusing on the older adult
population. Students complete clinicals on medical-surgical units for both courses, gaining
important skills like prioritization and focused assessments in addition to continuing to
develop clinical skills learned in previous courses.

Clinical Immersion
The clinical immersion, newly implemented in the Spring of 2023, is an experience in
which junior- and senior-level nursing student accrue over 756 clinical hours while working
one-on-one with a nurse-mentor from UPMC Mercy. Student are assigned to a mentor in
departments ranging from the ER to the neuro ICU to rehabilitation units, where they follow
their mentor’s schedule and gain valuable exposure to the daily lives of nurses working
twelve-hour shifts in a hospital setting.

NEWS MAGAZINE 7
 Nursing for Children’s Health

Pediatrics is taken alongside the other specialty courses (Maternal-Newborn,

Behavioral, and Community Health) in a student’s junior or senior year. With a focus
on childhood development, illness, and health promotion, students learn to care for
children from infancy through adolescence at UPMC Children’s Hospital.

Nursing for Maternal-Newborn Health

In this course, students get to care for families in the prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal
periods, including childbirth. With clinicals at UPMC Magee Women’s Hospital and
other maternal health hospitals in the Pittsburgh area, students learn to care for
mothers and infants as a dyad and promote health for childbearing families.

Behavioral Health

Behavioral Health, also known as Psychiatric-Mental Health, introduces students to the

care of individuals with mental health concerns with an emphasis on the development
of therapeutic nurse-patient relationships and the factors contributing to the mental
illness. Clinicals take place at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital and the VA Medical
Center.

Population Health

This course is the only Duquesne clinical course that takes students out of the hospital
setting and into nursing homes, soup kitchens, women’s shelters, and outpatient clinics
in the Pittsburgh area. Students learn to apply their previous knowledge to the care of
entire communities and develop care plans with a focus on public health issues that
impact whole populations.

Critically Ill Adult

Critically Ill Adult, the final clinical course at Duquesne, focuses on the care and
assessment of extremely unstable and complex patients. Students’ clinical rotations
take place in one of the many high-acuity ICUs or stepdown units at UPMC or AHN,
where they care for patients on ventilators, ECMO, multiple vasoactive IV drugs, and
other critical treatments.

NEWS MAGAZINE 8
A NURSE’S IMPACT:
REFLECTIONS ON
PATIENT CARE
Abigail Cifaldi
BSN Class of 2026
DEANNA WEBB, BSN, RN
DUQUESNEmy
Although I am only 6-weeks into my CLASS understand
first clinical experience, I have absolutelyFORMER DUSNA
loved every second of it. Sometimes
waking up at five in the morning can
be a struggle, but I truly look forward
to the weekly carpooling with friends
as we head to our assigned hospital,
Alleghany General. At AGH, I’ve been
fortunate enough to be placed on unit
7A, a Neuro Telemetry floor. You may be
asking yourself: what the heck is Neuro
Telemetry? Don’t worry, I asked myself the
same thing, but I have come to learn that
floor 7A caters to a wide range of adult
neurology care, including neurosurgery
and acute stroke cases. While there, I
have been able to witness patients of
varying ages receiving care for strokes,
cerebral hemorrhages, paralysis, subdural
hematomas, head, neck and spinal
surgeries, and much more.
Before becoming acquainted with
clinicals, I thought that I understood what
the role of a nurse entails and its impact,
but I was completely wrong. A nurse is
much more than someone who cares
for the sick; a nurse is an empowering
educator and friend. My first patient
encounter truly showed me how much
of an impact I am going to make in the
lives of others, and the gratitude I still feel
towards this experience is immense.
Prior to entering the room, I was
aware that my patient was admitted to
Allegheny General four days prior due to
NEWS MAGAZINE
having an aneurysm, had received a craniotomy,
and was expected to leave the same day I was
caring for him. On paper, everything sounded
scientific, but the difference between reading
what a diagnosis is and seeing it in the flesh is
major. I had begun to learn that it is imperative
for nurses to view each patient as a person, not a
checklist of items that need to be done to ensure
you have completed your job. With this realization,
goalOF
SCHOOL forNURSING
the day was to know my patient and
OF 2020 their needs.
PRESIDENT
Instead of starting right away with taking
vitals, I helped my patient eat his breakfast and
made small talk with him and his wife, which
ended up with me learning about their six children,
five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren,
and their recent sixty-fifth wedding anniversary.
Immediately, this patient had transformed from a
stranger’s name on a piece of paper into a friend
that I wanted to provide the best care for. For the
first time ever, I understood the importance of my
role in life and how I was going to impact others.
After getting to know my patient, I filled my day
with taking his vitals, assisting him while using the
restroom, bathing him, changing his gown, and
changing his pillowcases, sheets, and blankets, and
I was loving it! These tasks may seem mundane,
but I wanted to make sure I was doing the best that
I could to ensure my patient was feeling cared for
and well-respected, and it did not go unnoticed.
I had quickly earned the nickname “smiley” from
my patient and his wife, due to my constant
enthusiasm, and it made me even more aware of
the permanent smile I had on my face that day.
I have been so thankful for my current
clinical experience at Duquesne, and I cannot
wait to see what other memories I will make as a
nursing student. Clinical days have easily become
my favorite part of the week, leaving me counting
down the hours until I am able to interact with my
next patient.
9
HOMEMADE PUMPKIN SPICE
SYRUP
Need a caffeine kick before clinicals or while studying for your next exam? If
you’re already dreading the discontinuation of Starbuck’s pumpkin syrup when
the weather gets colder, don’t worry – it’s super easy to make it at home! Add
to coffee or chai tea for a little fall flavor.

INGREDIENTS
• 1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cup water
• 6 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tsp ground cloves
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 4 tbsp pumpkin puree

DIRECTIONS
1. Combine sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to a
simmer.
2. Once sugar as dissolved, add cinnamon sticks, ground
cloves, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and pumpkin
puree. Let simmer for 20 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and strain through cheesecloth or tea
strainer.
4. Prepare coffee or tea as desired. Add 3 tbsp pumpkin
spice syrup and stir to combine. Enjoy!

Makes enough syrup for 8 beverages. Syrup keeps in the

fridge for up to one week.

Recipe via athome.starbucks.com

NEWS MAGAZINE 10
 “Vulnerability is Your Strength”:
Insights on ICU Immersion
Tanrak Ploykao
BSN Class of 2024
I learned of my placement in Medical ICU 3 for the BSN Clinical Immersion program
in late May 2023. Having just completed my final HESI exam, I was eagerly anticipating a
summer break before the clinical immersion, set to commence in July 2023. The news of my
placement brought a mix of nerves and excitement, as I realized I would have the valuable
opportunity to gain experience in the critical care setting. Although I had not yet taken a
critical care course, I approached the remaining weeks of my summer break with an open
mind and a strong desire to learn. I hoped for a mentor who would be both kind and willing
to guide me on my nursing journey.

As I near the end of Week 11 in the Clinical Immersion program, I can attest to
my growing comfort within the ICU setting. With each passing day, I encounter fresh
opportunities for learning, eagerly seizing the abundant knowledge offered during my
shifts. Reflecting on my journey, there are several valuable insights I wish I had possessed
before embarking on my first shift in the Medical ICU at UPMC Mercy:

NEWS MAGAZINE 11
 BE COMFORTABLE WITH CHEST COMPRESSIONS
In the ICU, we don’t have a separate rapid response team because we’ve established
a specialized condition team. Our nursing staff holds ACLS (Advanced Cardiovascular
Life Support) certification, ensuring they possess the necessary skills to implement vital
interventions and protocols for addressing emergency situations, including the treatment
and management of cardiac arrest, stroke, and various life-threatening medical emergencies.
Indeed, during this clinical immersion, I had the opportunity to perform my first chest
compression on a real patient, not just a mannequin. I would advise being well-prepared and
revisiting the materials covered in your BLS class before your first shift.

HONE IN ON YOUR HEAD-TO-TOE ASSESSMENT

Conditions can quickly shift in the critical care setting, where patients may exhibit stable
vital signs one moment and experience a deterioration in their health shortly thereafter.
One of the things I wish I had done is to practice my head-to-toe assessment more diligently,
enabling me to effectively differentiate between normal and abnormal findings. If you are
currently enrolled in a health assessment class and reading this, I strongly urge you to remain
attentive during your lessons. Courses like Fundamentals of Nursing and Health Assessment
are of paramount importance, and a solid grasp of the knowledge gained in these classes will
undoubtedly pave the way for your success (both in clinical setting/exams).

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO KNOW EVERYTHING

I believe this particular lesson resonated with me the most because I tend to prefer knowing
everything in advance. However, we are all in the process of learning to become nurses, and
that’s precisely why clinical immersion serves as an invaluable opportunity for us to acquire
practical, real-life skills.

VULNERABILITY IS YOUR STRENGTH

One of the pivotal lessons I’ve learned during my immersion experience is the significance of
embracing vulnerability. It involves being honest about your progress and identifying areas
for improvement on your nursing journey. Be open to the opportunity to make mistakes, but
also seize the chance to learn from them and discover the valuable lessons they can impart.

NEWS MAGAZINE 12
` DUSNA EVENTS & CREDTS

GENERAL BODY MEETINGS

November 2nd & December 7th, 9PM

DUSNA FALL FORMAL (social credit)

November 3rd, 7 - 9 PM

DUQ DAYS VOLUNTEERING (service credit)

November 4th

NIGHT OF LIGHTS VOLUNTEERING (service credit)

November 9th, 3:30 - 8:30 PM (in shifts)

CROWDFUNDING (wild credit)

Ends November 10th

SNAP CONVENTION
November 15 - 17th

Duquesne Wellbeing Center

HEALTH SERVICES
Gumberg Library, 3rd Floor (Brottier Commons Entrance)
(412) - 396 - 1650
duhealth@duq.edu

COUNSELING SERVICES
Gumberg Library 326
(412) - 396 - 6204
counselingservices@duq.edu
For Emergencies: resolve crisis line, (888) - 796 - 8226

NEWS MAGAZINE 13
 NEXT-GEN NCLEX PRACTICE
QUESTION

In the Spring of 2023, the National Counsil of State Boards of Nursing

(NCSBN) unveiled the Next-Generation NCLEX-RN, an updated version of
the nursing licensure exam with new styles of questions designed to test
a candidate’s clinical knowledge and judgement. These new question
formats included bowties, hot spots, fill-in-the-blank question, case
studies, drag-and-drop questions, ordered response questions, matrixes,
dropdowns, trend questions and partial credit for select-all-that-apply
questions. The following is an example of a matrix-style question from the
Next-Gen NCLEX. The answer is provided on the next page. Good luck!

NEWS MAGAZINE 14
 Thank you to....
Professor D’Antonio
Cassidy Camp
Elizabeth Tyner
Abigail Cifaldi
and Tanrak Ploykao
For contributing to The Scope!

Interested in writing for The Scope?

I am always looking for new writers!
Email Kate Wenc at wenck@duq.edu

NEWS MAGAZINE 15
 DUSNA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2023-2024
President - Taylor Neiberg
Vice President - Mackenzie Wolff
Secretaries - Olivia Antonucci & Brianna Kotek
Treasurer - Will Blumel
Social Chair - Isabella Sikora
Service Chairs - Michael Archer & Emma Parkhurst
Fundraising Chair - Emily Coblish
Publicity Chair - Kate Wenc
Legislative Chairs - Larisa Samryk & Grace Milone
Recruitment Chairs - Stella Fannie & Molly Frick
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Chair - Alhana Davis
Mental Health Chair - Emma Kushner

NEWS MAGAZINE 16
NEWS MAGAZINE 17