It was never my intention to post super personal things here on the blog; that is not why I created it. It is one thing to post about school. It is another to post my health history. But I am going to make an exception because I can't not share my experience with BRCA testing.
Whether you are a provider, a patient, family member/friend of a patient, or (like me) have oscillated between all of these roles, this post is for you. I hope that it provides useful education and resources on BRCA testing (see links below). More importantly, I hope it empowers and supports you to make positive health decisions for yourself and that you encourage others to do the same.
My mother is a breast cancer survivor. So is my grandmother. I have worked in oncology for almost 5 years now and I can sum up my feelings about it all in six words: breast cancer is an f'i^g b!t*h.
In November of last year, I underwent genetic testing. It was a personal choice. I needed either peace of mind or a game plan. I am not selling genetic testing. I am simply sharing my experience and resources.
Normal test results take about 4-6 weeks. Mine took 4 months. Yeah. My first set of results came back inconclusive during the holidays. My doc sent another sample and I received my results late last week. They were negative. I bawled like a baby. Snot running down my face and everything.
Resources:
General info: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/BRCA
-Also available in Spanish
Risk assessment tool: http://www.cancer.gov/bcrisktool/Default.aspx
Recommendations for counseling and testing: http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Topic/recommendation-summary/brca-related-cancer-risk-assessment-genetic-counseling-and-genetic-testing
-Includes PDF of full recommendation statement (12 pages) and one page summary for primary care clinicians.
As always, this is not intended to diagnose or treat medical
conditions. See your provider if you have any questions or concerns. This is not a sponsored post.
Monday, February 23, 2015
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Thursday Tidbit: Loan Repayment
The 2015 NURSE Corps Loan Repayment Program application cycle is now open. The deadline is February 26th! Applications are accepted once a year, so you better hurry! You can find out more information and apply here: http://www.hrsa.gov/loanscholarships/repayment/nursing/index.html
Highlights of the program include:
-Offered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Health Resources and Services Administration
-Both RNs and APRNs can apply
-2 year contract = 60% repayment on unpaid nursing student loans (additional 25% for a 3rd year)
- Must work full-time at an eligible "critical shortage" facility
Hope this helps!
This is not a sponsored post.
Legislative Update: Waiting is the Hardest Part
Right now we are waiting. And waiting. And waiting.
Resolutions and recognitions are the main happenings on the chambers' floors right now. (The Texas Constitution prohibits pretty much anything else non emergent or non budget related for the first 60 days.)
The good news is Donna Howard presented a resolution to honor nurse practitioners: HR 218 ( http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HR218). So did Cecil Bell: HR 459 (http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=84R&Bill=HR459).
We are moving in a forward direction, but we're not quite there. In the next couple of weeks committees will roll up their sleeves and get down to business. Bills will be filed and negotiations will start.
This is clutch time. We MUST answer the calls to action. Petitions, phone calls, Facebook, Twitter. You're on social media taking a quiz about something asinine anyway. Make it productive!
The BEST site to keep you up to date on everything: https://texasnp.site-ym.com/?84LegSession
If you are not involved with TNP (Texas Nurse Practitioners), I highly encourage you to check them out. Here you will find information regarding Round the Capital dates: https://ntnp.enpnetwork.com/nurse-practitioner-news/59891-tnp-round-the-capitol-dates-for-2015-legislative-session I'll post more on this later!
Please comment and feel free to email me! You can follow me on Twitter @RN2Practitioner - I tweet daily!
This is not a sponsored post.
This is not a sponsored post.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Don't be Stupid, Cupid
Have no idea what to get your nurse on this most pointless of all holidays? The following 3 items are things any nurse (fellas you're included!) would love to receive this Valentine's Day.
#1 Calf compression sleeves
These are not your grandmother's white compression hose. They are unisex, require less washing because they don't cover your feet, and are great for running/training. I love my sleeves. So do my feet.
#2 Wine/Whiskey of the Month Club
If I have to go into detail on this one, you clearly are not on the same page as your partner. They are probably going to dump you after Valentine's Day. Don't say I didn't warn you!
#3 Subscription to a pricey electronic clinical resource, like Uptodate or Epocrates.
Many schools and larger organizations provide access for students and staff. Double check first!
Hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day!
This is not a sponsored post.
This is not a sponsored post.
Monday, February 9, 2015
Legislative Day
Today was the Coalition for Nurses in Advance Practice (CNAP) 2015 Legislative Day here in Austin, Texas. Although my feet are killing me (this coming from a nurse), I feel invigorated and empowered. It was an honor to stand (see what I did there?) with advance practice nurses from all across the state to advocate for legislative changes that will directly result in increased access to care for Texas residents. Three cheers for grassroots advocacy!
In a nutshell, CNAP presented the following five legislative priorities to legislators and their staff:
-Improve access to care by ensuring that APRNs have the ability to contract directly with insurance providers and serve as primary care providers whether the delegating physician is in network or a contracted provider.
-Authorize physicians to delegate prescribing of Schedule II medications to psychiatric APRNs and APRNs providing palliative care. Address prescribing of hydrocodone combination products. Clarify ability of physicians to delegate to APRNs needing to prescribe Schedule II drugs for patients being discharged from a hospital.
(These first two bullet points are in bold as they are the Coalition's highest priorities for this session. Go big or go home.)
-Synchronize issuance of an APRN's license with the issuance of the Controlled Substances Registration (CSR) allowing the CSR to be issued every two years rather than annually.
-Support increased funding for APRN educational programs and faculty.
-Authorize APRNs to sign Death Certificates.
I encourage you to contact your representative and advocate for the above objectives. Contact Greg Abbott. Start a blog. Hire a sky writer. Do whatever it takes to make your voice, which is a direct extension of your patients', heard.
Helpful Links:
CNAP website:
Check the status of any bill:
Premier Legislative Consulting:
This is not a sponsored post.
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