I’ve always had my way with words. I can write anything about the heights of ecstasy and the depths of despair. However, for whatever reason, I could not accurately put into words my amalgamation of emotions regarding this journey.

While today was the culmination of this two-year doctoral educational sojourn, this process started a few years back! I earned my Master of Science in Nursing – Informatics specialty track during the peak of the Covid 19 pandemic. Before finishing my MSN, I was already entertaining the idea of pursuing the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. However, the pandemic changed the world, and everything was uncertain at that time. So, instead of advancing academically, I put my MSN degree to good use by moving from the bedside, impacting the lives of a few patients, to the practice of clinical informatics, influencing patient and organizational outcomes by advocating for the appropriate use of information technology in clinical practice.

Why a DNP and why now?

I have been very open in sharing that I am a nurse because of my mother. What I have never mentioned in any of my writings was the fact that my Tatay, our father, dreamed of so much more for me. You see, he wanted me to become a doctor. He may have thought back then that I would have been able to handle the academic and clinical demands of a medical degree had I put my heart and soul into it. However, when Nanay died a mere month after my nursing graduation, I had to prioritize helping him out financially. I have two brothers who needed to go to school, and his meager income as a secondary school teacher would not suffice. So, it was either taking the National Medical Admission Test or applying to become a nurse in the United States. I made a practical decision and chose the latter.

While I did not regret that decision one bit, having sent both my brothers to engineering schools, Tatay already planted that seed in my lifelong learner’s thought and heart. One can argue that a DNP is not similar to an MD or a DO degree, but it is a doctoral degree in healthcare nonetheless. I think my Tatay will be equally just as proud!

Is an advanced degree really necessary?

This reminds me of a question I was asked:

So, why do you really want to pursue a DNP? Is it a personal or a professional goal?

My answer is: “it is both!” And it is deeply influenced by my Tatay being an educator. Besides, I really don’t want to go on life wondering “what if…?”

Do I need a DNP to do my job well? No! However, my two-year journey allowed me to appreciate the process of bringing about practice changes that benefit patients and organizations alike. I have learned to leverage data to identify an issue. I was able to find evidence-based practice resources to influence our proposed intervention. Finally, I was able to efficiently collaborate with interdisciplinary colleagues and even C-suite leaders to bring that proposal into an actual change.

I was able to apply the lessons learned from my classes into my day-to-day work. I gained new knowledge and skills which emboldened me to become a better advocate for my patients and my colleagues. My academic mentors and work peers kept my spirits up when things did not go the way I expected them to. For example, I was so downhearted when my sepsis project fell apart midway through my classes. It was an impactful project which I hoped would improve our transitions of care process for sepsis patients. Of course, the fact that I became the first Illinois State University Asian GradBird scholar because of that proposal was part of the heartbreak, too.

           

Things happen for a reason

Despite that hiccup, I am grateful that both my academic and work support systems helped me switch to another project – and fast! We were able to improve care for patients presenting with chest pain in the emergency department. Apart from that, we have also established a more streamlined transitions of care process. Cardiologists saw these patients for timely follow-up appointments via the fast track clinic.

We started on a good note. However, as with many initiatives, we still need to work more to refine the cohesive workflow from one healthcare setting to another. Nevertheless, we all considered it as a step towards the right direction. Personally, it is an homage to Nanay, Tatay, and Toto, our brother, who all succumbed to cardiac diseases. Even if I was not able to provide care for them, I hope that through this project, I am able to impact cardiac care positively, especially for those who need it the most.

From red, red, wine to red Gradbird

So, what’s a UB40 song got to do with this journey, you may ask. Well, that used to be our unofficial Fidelis Christi Mariae 1993 class song during our college days at St. Paul University of Iloilo in the Philippines. If you are wondering why, it’s for us to know and for you to find out (wink, wink)!

All kidding aside, my Paulinian foundation always propelled me to want to know more, to expand my horizons, to effect change for the better… I am not one to be contented with my skills and my knowledge, or even my meager influence. Seeing great patient results makes me happy and accomplished. And no, receiving a personal recognition is not necessary!

With that being said, I felt that pursuing the doctoral degree was the next logical step to take. I did my research, selected my school, Illinois’ first public university, the prestigious Illinois State University, and embarked on an academic journey which I did not realize would make me meet people I never even thought of meeting even in my wildest dreams. I never believed, even for once, that there is an expiration date in learning. At the end of the day, the most important thing to ask is:

How many patients’ and future nurses’ and/or informaticists’ lives will I be able to impact with my DNP?

Only time can tell, right?

And by the way, you may have figured it out by now, that our FCM 1993 class color and one of the Illinois State University’s school colors is – RED!