Savannah Henderson is interested in becoming a neonatal nurse practitioner. She has always wanted to help others, particularly children, and enjoys science and problem solving. After completing her BSN through Clemson University's accelerated nursing program, she plans to pursue a MSN in neonatal nursing from Vanderbilt University. She believes her strong academic record and passion for patient care make nursing a good career fit. Her long term goal is to work as a neonatal nurse practitioner and help infants with a variety of health issues.

1. Nursing
Savannah Henderson
HLTH 4190
Fall 2016

2. Why nursing?
I have always been very interested in careers that
revolve around helping others. Throughout the years, I
have considered being a special education teacher, a
pediatric surgeon, and a Physician Assistant. After
giving it some serious thought during my junior year at
Clemson University, I realized that the two most
important things to me were working with children and
helping those who were in need. I also love science and
problem solving, which has lead me to my career
aspirations of being a nurse. Eventually, I hope to
pursue a Masters of Science in Nursing degree, and
become a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner.

3. Post-Graduation Career Plans
• After I graduate from Clemson University in May 2017, I
plan to pursue my BSN from Clemson through the
Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Program.
Completion of this program will allow me to sit for the
NCLEX exam, and earn my Registered Nursing License.
• Following completion of Clemson’s nursing program, I am strongly
considering pursuing my dream career as a Neonatal Nurse
Practitioner. However, I am aware that through the nursing curriculum
I may find new areas of medicine that I may want to explore further. If
I had to choose an NNP program at this stage, I would choose
Vanderbilt University. They are highly renowned for their nursing
school, and offer a modified-distance learning program, which would
allow me to continue to be employed, and would not require
relocation.

4. History of Nursing
• Prior to the nineteenth century in the United States, sick individuals usually
received care in the comfort of their home from members of their family who
had knowledge of remedies and healing practices. Outsiders typically did not
enter the home to provide care unless there was a special circumstance- such as
an epidemic or plague.
• At the beginning of the nineteenth century, hospitals began to pop up among
highly populated areas in order to serve individuals who did not have the
necessary resources to care for themselves/their families. Care provided in
hospitals ranged from excellent (usually in religiously affiliated hospitals) to
disorganized and ineffective. Nursing education also began to appear in the US
at this time.
• Florence Nightingale is often credited as the founder of the nursing profession.
While she did contribute tremendously to the establishment of nursing
education principles, she is actually not the first documented “nurse”
throughout history!

5. History of Nurse Practitioners
• In the 1960’s in the United States, there was a serious socioeconomic
barrier that prevented millions of Americans from having access to
healthcare services.
• The nurse practitioner profession was introduced as a cost-effective
solution for Americans to receive high-quality care when it became
difficult to see a physician
• Over time, NP’s have emerged as a popular choice as a primary
caregiver, as access to medical doctors has become more and more
challenging for Americans.
• Throughout the years, patients have been highly satisfied with care
received from NP’s. Patient satisfaction rates with NP services have
continued to be high in today’s society.

6. What is the role of nurse?
• Monitor patient status and response to healthcare delivery plan
• Execute orders given by the patient’s physician (administer
medication, changing bandaging, assessing the patient’s
response to medical procedures, etc.)
• Evaluate safety of healthcare plan before administering
treatment
• Provide holistic patient care
• Care for patients physically, emotionally, cognitively, socially,
and spiritually.
• Advocate for patients
• Assist in educating patients about maintaining their health

7. What is the role of an NNP?
• An expert in neonatal care
• Deliver comprehensive care to infants of varying levels of
health
• Care for full-term and preterm infants
• Care for infants who may have a life-threatening
condition
• Care for infants with chronic conditions of varying
severity
• Work with parents and families during times of intense
emotional stress

8. Admissions Requirements/
Costs for Clemson Nursing
• Competitive cumulative GPA (3.0 or better)
• Completion of all prerequisite coursework
• Formal application to Clemson University
• Submission of writing sample
• Letter of recommendation from faculty
member
• Determination and enthusiasm about
rigorous nursing curriculum including
clinical experiences
Costs of Clemson Nursing School:
• $7,159 per semester (4
consecutive semesters)
• $28,636 total cost of tuition

9. Why is Clemson Nursing a
realistic goal for me?
• I have a cumulative Clemson GPA of 3.88, which is well
above the required 3.0 for admission.
• I am a Health Science major with a Pre-Professional
Health Studies concentration, and am familiar with a
rigorous, science-based curriculum.
• I have already completed the required prerequisite
courses for admission.
• I am a team player, and hard worker. I am determined to
succeed as a nurse and am highly motivated.

10. Prerequisites for Vanderbilt
NNP Program
• Nursing licensure (ASN, BSN, or MSN)
• 4,160 hours of clinical nursing experience in a Level
II or Level III nursery
• Recommendation from a current Neonatal Nurse
Practitioner and from a Neonatologist that have
worked in the field with the applicant

11. Growth Potential/Salary
Range
Registered Nurse:
• Median salary: $66,640
• As reported by the U.S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics (BLS) Handbook
2016-2017
Nurse Practitioner:
• Median salary: $95,320
• As reported by the U.S. BLS
Handbook 2016-2017
Growth Potential:
• The BLS anticipates that RN
employment will grow 16%
through 2024
• The BLS anticipates that NP
employment will grow 31%
through 2024
• Currently in the United States as the “baby
boomer” population ages, there is a higher
demand for registered nurses and other
medical professionals.
• Because of the phenomenal reputation that
NP’s have gained, it is probable that they
will be in high demand for the foreseeable
future

12. O*Net Profiler Results
Nurse Practitioner Results:
1. Social
2. Investigative
3. Realistic
After researching the O*Net profiler results that are typical of a Nurse
Practitioner, I am even more confident that this is a potential career that I would
really excel at and enjoy. The number one result is Social, due to the patient care
that is delivered to individuals. This is the part I am most looking forward to in
my career. I love to help others, get to know people, and provide comfort and care
to those in need. I am also quite investigative, and love to problem solve. Finding
a solution or a cure to a specific problem or condition would be something I
would highly enjoy. I was surprised and excited to find that my top two traits
were the top two for NP’s as well! I am so excited for my future, and can’t wait
for my professional journey to begin.
My Results:
1. Social
2. Investigative
3. Artistic

13. Conclusion
In conclusion, I am really looking forward to my future as a
medical professional. Being able to provide quality care to
individuals who are in need is something I am passionate
about, and feel that it is a key component to patient
satisfaction and recovery. As a nurse, I will get to connect
with patients and provide not just health services, but
compassion, education, and individualized care. I am also
looking forward to the opportunity to learn from other
medical professionals in my internship next semester! My
potential future career is what motivates me to do my best in
school, and to learn as much as I can. I am very goal-
oriented, and can’t wait for this process to be underway.

14. References
• http://www.nursing.upenn.edu/nhhc/Pages/
AmericanNursingIntroduction.aspx
• http://www.nursing.upenn.edu/nhhc/Pages/Nurse-Practitioners.aspx
• http://www.healthipe.org/healthcare-roles/nursing
• https://nursing.vanderbilt.edu/msn/nnp/index.php
• http://www.allnursingschools.com/nursing-careers/registered-nursing/
salary/
• http://www.allnursingschools.com/nursing-careers/nurse-practitioner/
salary/
• https://www.clemson.edu/cbshs/departments/nursing/academics/
second-degree.html