#11 Prospects for my Chosen Career

      I am currently studying to become a Registered Nurse. Based on information from a few reliable sources, a bright future is in the forecast! According to the report Best Jobs for Millennials by Konrad and Mugglestone, "the health care industry is the only major industry sector employing large numbers of Millennials that has seen its median wages increase in the past decade." With a starting median wage that is already almost double the national average median wage, I think I am taking the right step toward a secure financial future.
     If you're wondering if they'll still be hiring when I finally graduate, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook states, "employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 16 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations." So as long as I get accepted into the nursing program, I will have a job when the time comes.

# 10 Doc 2 Research

          Reading "Emergency Nursing: Historical, Current, and Future Roles:, by John A. Schriver, MD, Robin Talmadge, RN, Roberta Chuong, MS, RN, CCRN, Jerris R. Hedges, MD, MS, was enlightening. Beginning with how emergency nurses were at one time essentially teaching medical interns, the paper goes on to illustrate the necessary creativity of the profession's early pioneers; the modern day crash cart was invented in the 1960s by an emergency nurse that thought all essential items should always be together and mobile. Covering things such as how emergency rooms were once in the "pit" or basement of the hospital, and are now responsible for an average of 40% of  overall impatient admissions. Progressing into current topics, the authors discuss the use of technology in the ED and education for prospective nurses. The nursing shortage, and suggestions on how it might be addressed were also mentioned. Nurse to patient ratio seems to be the most important factor in acquiring and retaining emergency nurses in the future. This periodical was a very informative piece with several documented outside sources, and I found it extremely helpful in writing my paper.

#9 Response to Colleagues

     Ashley Peek states in her blog post, Technology in Careers, "I think we will see more growth in technology's role even in medical procedures. Lasers are already used in some surgeries, but I think doctor's will soon be able to program procedures specifically to a patient that will be run in whole by robots. Hopefully this can make human error less of an impact on the outcome of major operations and will save many lives." I also think this would be a wonderful advancement. Some surgeries can take hours to complete, adding to the possibility of medical mistakes in the operating room. This will also make more time available to the hospital staff to help more patients. Eventually, through the advancements in science, we may have less need for hospitals and their staff altogether. Then it will be time to take advantage of Andrew McAfee's suggested guaranteed minimum income. Then, I will also be singing in praise of idleness, like Mr. Russell.
     Earlier in the week, we discussed what we've learned about writing online as a team. There were definitely varying opinions. I feel that Noah Davis summed up my same opinion when he said, " Although this first document was a challenge, it prepared me for future online team writing tasks." For most of our remedial school career, we complete our own projects, occasionally having to work together for a group project. However, unless you work from home or alone somewhere, life after high school is full of compromise. Lack of communication and refusing to accept the constructive criticism of others can be detrimental to your future, whether in class or in your chosen career.

#8 How Will Technology Affect my Future Profession?

    Hopefully, my future as a registered nurse will be long and bright. I see that machines will definitely become more prevalent in the medical field, but I also don't believe human compassion for one another will ever be replaced. However, I know that an open mind and an understanding of the possible future will help me prepare for whatever may come.
    For now, I will stick with the Econ 101 handbook reference by Andrew McAfee in his speech "What will future jobs look like?" at the TED conference, "Encourage entrepreneurship, double down on infrastructure, and make sure we're turning out people from our educational system with the appropriate skills." That being said, the more education that I have, the better my ability will be to work with the more modern medical technology that is sure to arise. Which is why I plan to get my BSN online, as soon as I can after I complete my ASN. I hope to have my MSN within the next decade.
     As I read blogs and articles from current nurses, I see that technology is already affecting them socially. People are tracking them down on Facebook. Prospective employers are searching for their profiles online. Many hospitals participate in patient surveys. Even if a nurse does everything by the book, they may score a low rating if the patient had a bad experience. Fair? It doesn't matter, that is the way of our current future. I will make sure to smile as I furnish the jello and ice chips...
     With every negative prospect, there's sure to be a positive. Many cities are focusing on their critical infrastructures, like hospitals and clinics. As the Baby Boomers head into retirement, and continue to age, more nurses will be needed. Economically, this should be a stable environment for an aspiring caregiver.
     Essentially, I am just a hard working Bill, trying to become a properly educated Ted in the future. I am totally looking forward to my "Excellent Adventure!" (If you haven't seen that movie, it's a good way to waste a Saturday afternoon.)

# 7 Writing in an Online Team

   I think the most astonishing thing that I've learned about writing in an online team, is that we were able to do it in a shared document, whenever we wanted to. No meetings at the library. No Dewey Decimal System to contend with. We didn't really have to meet at all, we could just contribute when it was convenient to our schedule. All of our research was at our fingertips. This is what I love about technology.
   Sometimes writing alone, you may run out of ideas or only see one side of the situation. Their are so many different perspectives on every subject. Having two others to share ideas helped immensely.
   All in all, it was somewhat nerve-racking. I was afraid if I were to make an error, it could mean a bad grade for my classmates. However, it worked out and I am happy with the result.
   
   
 

#6 The Response

    Well, it has been a busy week! As I read through some of the posts from my classmates, I notice that most people seem to be afraid of the internet and what it can do to your reputation or image. This may be because so many others are constantly reminding us of what can happen if we were to post, or to be part of  something negative. My simple solution is this: DON'T DO IT to begin with! Don't drink while you're underage. Don't pose for explicit photos. Don't write something that you wouldn't want everyone to see. If it can be held against you, it very likely will. However, I interpreted our assignment to be to encourage a professional online image. To tell others how this would assist them in the future. Hayleigh Blair summed it up quite well when she stated, "By building my reputation I can use it to gain future jobs and create relationships with many influential people." Network it to your advantage! Use every tool available to you to get ahead in life, including the web.
     We have also been exploring the Millennial Generation this week. I believe that I'm somewhere in the in between generation. I agree with Amanda Daniels' post, "I prefer things the old fashioned way. For example the other day why I was in biology class, I was sitting their with just my notebook and pen while everyone else had their laptops and were diligently typing away with everything the professor said. I was writing my outline on my simple notebook and tabbing pages in my book. I like simple things, I like the old fashioned way sometimes. I like the fact of writing things to memorize and the pain in my fingers." I feel like if I'm more comfortable writing than typing, I will be able to pay more attention to the speaker. I also understand that the more often that I use my keyboard, the more likely I will be to use it in the future. Similar to writing to learn.

#5 My identity as a Millennial

   

   I've never considered myself a Millennial. Then I took the online test to determine "How Millennial Are You" available at www.pewresearch.org/quiz/how-millennial-are-you. I scored a 94. So I took it again. This time I scored an 81. I am a Millennial. This class is changing me, or more appropriately, making me realize things about myself. I began to question myself. Do you read the paper? No, I read stories online. Google even offers me headlines based on my recent searches. Do you call friends and family? No, I prefer texting or Facebook. I know these questions just skim the surface, but I'm starting to see that I may not be too old to fit into this generation after all. I also like the idea of fitting into a group of individuals that is defined by
Jessica Brack & Kip Kelley, UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School - Maximizing Millennials in the Workplace (2012) "Millennials are continuous learners, team players, collaborators, diverse, optimistic, achievement-oriented, socially conscious and highly educated."
      Going back to college, also places me in this category. I want to further my education so that I will be able to provide my family with a stable future. I have a good job now, but I want more. Also, as Tom Allison & Konrad Mugglestone state in - The Future of Millennial Jobs (2015) "Millennials assume that they will never benefit from a pension or social security, leading to aspirations for financial independence through 401(k) or retirement benefits." I need benefits! I also like the idea that the more education I have, the longer I will be capable of working for my own financial security.
      I believe that going into the health care industry is a good choice for me. Beside the fact that I've always felt I could excel as a nurse, it is also a smart business move. According to Konrad Mugglestone & Tom Allison - The Best Jobs for Millennials (2015):

              Among these top occupations, jobs requiring a background in STEM (Science,  Technology,Engineering, and Mathematics) are heavily represented. Indeed, thirteen of the top twenty-five positions are STEM occupations, with another five in health care related fields (often requiring an educational background in the sciences). Together, these eighteen occupations make up almost three quarters of the list – something worth considering for a Millennial who is about to choose her or his college major. The concentration of STEM occupations on this list is unsurprising because the demand for STEM competent employees is growing at far greater rates than overall employment, driving up wages. Furthermore, the health care industry is the only major industry sector employing large numbers of Millennials that has seen its median wages increase in the past decade, which makes its prevalence on the list no surprise.

         I am also soaking up the benefits of being a Millennial in this class. So far, I am loving Google and all it has to offer! I only have one other class to compare to, currently, but I'm starting to wish that my other professor utilized the same types of technology. I know I have much more to learn, and research to search through, but the more that I learn, the more confident I become.

# 4 Building a professional online image

    Two weeks ago, I really hadn't thought much about my professional online image. I didn't really think about anyone else's either. Other than Facebook and Instagram to keep up with my kids, I haven't used any other social media.  I definitely never considered using an online profile as a resume tool!
    As I researched my assignment for English class, I was surprised to discover the possibilities. I had no idea that you could basically use LinkedIn as a running resume support. People that you have worked for and with can even submit letters of reference to link to your page. I have never had to write a resume for myself, but I have written some for others, and I know this will be a great asset to have.
    I think I will try LinkedIn for career development, and use Facebook for family. I'm hoping that starting my LinkedIn profile now will help me get a jump on the career market once I graduate. However, I still have some research to do...

#3 Response to my colleagues

  While I agree that we must be careful what we post on social media, I also believe that it is important to establish a professional profile for the future. As Katie Brown explained, "Once an online image is damaged, it's not easy to repair. It's easier to maintain an image than to change it." In order to have an image to maintain, we must utilize social media outlets to create a professional image that everyone will admire. It seems that we are all concerned with Facebook. I think I am going to branch out to sites like LinkedIn to begin building my very own image; separate from friends and family.

   Tierra Mercer blogged: "I think that an early start at building a strong yet positive online reputation can benefit your self image and your future." No time is better than the present to do anything that you can to help your career. After all, we're going to college to have a better chance at a brighter future, why not build our online image along the way?

#2 My Online Image

  My online profile seems to be right on cue with my social life- nonexistent. Not one picture when Googled. I use Facebook and Instagram to keep up with family members and friends. Of course, those annoying game invitations will one day drive me insane.. I have my social networks set to private because I have children, but I am still cautious of what I post. I have watched programs about people who's lives were ruined because of the internet. Not just social media, but pictures that were taken of them and later posted without their consent. I'm a firm believer that if a photo exists or a comment written that you don't want others to see, it will be the first one viewed every time!
  Thanks to Professor Hamon, I am starting to think about the importance of a good professional profile. I am learning from the research for our paper that you can use it almost like a resume. I am branching out and trying new networks, such as LinkedIn. There I can create a profile that will help me connect with people in the nursing field, and hopefully gain some insight into travel nursing. I hope to do some volunteering at area hospitals before I apply to the nursing program, and I hope that I will make friends that I can later seek a reference from. If I can add that to my professional online profile, even better.
  I know I have a long road ahead of me, first in school and then looking for my first job as a nurse. I believe by creating a good online image, I will have a better chance at success!

#1 Who?? From where??

  Hello! My name is Amanda and I am from Okeechobee. No, I did not sneeze... Okeechobee is an Indian name, roughly translated as "Big Water". If you see a picture of Florida, look for the big blue dot toward the bottom; Okeechobee is right at the top. Most people think of clear blue water, sand and palm trees when they think of Florida. Well in my hometown, we have black water, palmettos and cows. As much as I loved growing up in a small town, it soon became time to move on.

  Flash forward to the present- Macon, Georgia. My family and I moved to the area in 2011. I really love it here! Having only 2 seasons in Florida- hot & wet, the four seasons in middle Georgia are a nice change. I have 3 children: small, medium, and large. My husband and I have been married for 21 years, and we still like each other! I am returning to school to get my Associates Degree in Nursing, and to be a travel nurse when (if) the kids move out. After getting my BSN, I want to pursue my MSN and possibly teach nursing. Dream big or go home...

  I really look forward to working with all of you and hopefully creating some lasting relationships. Good luck to all, whatever your journey may be!