Rattler Nurse Connect

During this Nurses' Month, the School of Nursing would like to encourage all FAMU nurses, faculty, staff, and alumni, to engage in self-care. Engaging is self-care needs to to be viewed as essential activities, instead of optional indulgences. Nurses are known to pride themselves in their work and the positive outcomes of their diligence and dedication. Too often this comes at the expense of self and family.

I challenge all nurses reading this message, to make self-care a habit, not just for the month of May, but as a permanent lifestyle change. Failure to take for yourself leads to fatigue, poor immune systems, advanced aging, depression, anxiety, sickness and preventable death.

Care for yourself as a way to show your care and love for those around you. Your family and students will model your behaviors. Demonstrate rest, healthy eating and exercise. Relax and refresh your mind. I promise you that your daily performance will excel.

We need our Rattler Nurses to have the energy and strength to Strike! Strike! and Strike again!

Warm regards,

Dr. Johnson

This past year presented so many different challenges and obstacles that tested our strength and resiliency. The global pandemic forced us to cope with situations we never even imagined, and a lot of us struggled with our mental health as a result. The good news is that there are tools and resources available that can support the well-being of individuals and communities.

Now, more than ever, we need to combat the stigma surrounding mental health concerns. That’s why this Mental Health Month Florida A&M University, School of Nursing is highlighting #Tools2Thrive - what individuals can do throughout their daily lives to prioritize mental health, build resiliency, and continue to cope with the obstacles of COVID-19.

Throughout the pandemic, many people who had never experienced mental health challenges found themselves struggling for the first time. During the month of May, we are focusing on different topics that can help process the events of the past year and the feelings that surround them, while also building up skills and supports that extend beyond COVID-19.

We know that the past year forced many to accept tough situations that they had little to no control over. If you found that it impacted your mental health, you aren’t alone. In fact, of the almost half a million individuals that took the anxiety screening at MHAscreening.org, 79% showed symptoms of moderate to severe anxiety. However, there are practical tools that can help improve your mental health. We are focused on managing anger and frustration, recognizing when trauma may be affecting your mental health, challenging negative thinking patterns, and making time to take care of yourself.

It’s important to remember that working on your mental health and finding tools that help you thrive takes time. Change won’t happen overnight. Instead, by focusing on small changes, you can move through the stressors of the past year and develop long-term strategies to support yourself on an ongoing basis.

A great starting point for anyone who is ready to start prioritizing their mental health is to take a mental health screening at MHAscreening.org. It’s a quick, free, and confidential way for someone to assess their mental health and begin finding hope and healing.

Ultimately, during this month of May, the School of Nursing wants to remind everyone that mental illnesses are real, and recovery is possible. By developing your own #Tools2Thrive, it is possible to find balance between life’s ups and downs and continue to cope with the challenges brought on by the pandemic.

For more information, visit www.mhanational.org/may.

The SON held it's first outdoor Pinning and Hooding Ceremony. Special thanks to the Pinning and Hooding Committee and Dean's Office Staff for putting together an awesome event. Please enjoy the event photos throughout the newsletter.

FAMU School of Nursing offers a high-in-demand Adult Gerontology and Women's Health Nurse Practitioner education completely online. Study to become a Nurse Practitioner in only five (5) semesters or less and begin to make a great impact in your advanced professional nursing career in no time. Our convenient student-centered curricula are designed for part-time or full-time study, with multiple admission cycles throughout the year. The program provides a solid foundation and support for success even as you work full-time. Choose to start your NP journey in a career that makes a difference for adults across the lifespan and rewards you professionally. We are now accepting applications for our Fall 2021 start date. Apply today at https://www.applyweb.com/famug/index.ftl (NEW LINK!). For more information about our graduate program, contact Dr. Uloma Onubogu via email - uloma.onubogu@famu.edu or call (850) 599-3017.

The SON would like to formally congratulate the winners of the Haitian American Nurses Association Scholarship Award:

Sophonie Domingue

Angelle Domingue

Rocheford Jean-Claude

Enrollments are open for Fall 2021!

More than ever, the U.S. needs nurses prepared as the BSN level. The ‘Fast-Track’ RN-BSN program has been revised to meet the needs of working nurses! We are welcoming registered nurses interested in advancing their education and career to consider the FAMU School of Nursing RN-BSN Fast Track Program.

All courses will be in an accelerated 8-week format with options for students to take graduate courses that counts dual for their BSN and a graduate degree. The shortest time to completion is less than 12 months for students opting to take a full-time course load.

Learn more by visiting our website or contacting our Office of Student Affairs at (850) 412-7067.

Current position openings include:

1. Simulation and Skills Lab Technician

2. Remediation Specialists

3. IT Personnel

Click here to visit the FAMU Human Resources Website

Special need:

4. Subject Matter Experts (SME) - Course development/Course revisions (Adjuncts) - Contact Ms. Farlin if you have interest is serving as an SME at annie.farlin@famu.edu

Ms. Grace-Jones has been a passionate advocate for people in need motivated by the desire to help others for over 30 years. After graduating with her BSN from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, she became an ICU nurse at what is now known as Jackson Health System. Desiring to do more to help, she earned her JD from the University of Miami while simultaneously working as an emergency room nurse and taking care of her growing family.

In nursing she has been an ER, ICU and high-tech home health nurse. Additionally, the opportunity to use both nursing and legal knowledge as a risk legal professional has been afforded to her. She is a former assistant city attorney where she litigated workers compensation cases. She listened to city workers regarding injuries and helped the city enter fair settlement where appropriate. As an attorney, her understanding of health and injury was vital in the ability to help the government with guaranteeing fairness to employees. Ms. Grace-Jones has achieved designations as a special master for Miami-Dade and Broward counties and as a Better Business Bureau arbitrator. She frequently shares information regarding best practices and avoidance of lawsuits where possible through her lectures and book.

One of the rewarding positions she presently serves in is as adjunct professor, teaching graduate nursing students Policy in Nursing in the FAMU School of Nursing. Go to www.dawngracejones.com for more information. Join the newsletter. Additionally, for legal services, go to www.law.dawngracejones.com.

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Email: nursingdocs@famu.com
Website: https://www.famu.edu/index.cfm?a=nursing
Location: Tallahassee, FL, USA
Phone: 850-599-3017
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/famuschoolofnursing/