Graduate Student Spotlight, Steven Moon

Steven Moon is in the DNP nurse anesthesia program at the College of Nursing. He received his BSN from the University of Michigan in Flint and worked in the Medical-Surgical Intensive care unit at Hurley Medical Center in downtown Flint, MI for over two years before returning to CRNA school. He has been the vice-president of Sigma Theta Tau-Pi Delta Chapter for two terms and has been a student member on two UT faculty committees. Moon will graduate in August of 2023.

Read more about Moon and his time at UT below:

Why do you want to be CRNA? I wanted to be a CRNA to take my skills as a critical care nurse to the highest level while still being able to provide advanced individualized care to a patient during surgery, which can be the scariest days of their life. Being able to care for a patient from the beginning to the end of their surgery and have them wake up and thank you for keeping them safe and comfortable is very rewarding.

What inspires you? Learning new skills, leadership, accepting challenges to learn new things, giving back to others, service, leadership, professional advocacy, and enhancing the education of others.

Tell me about your research/area of interest: My groups DNP project was focused around creating an education module to provide education to current anesthesia providers about the prevention, recognition, and treatment of local anesthetics systemic toxicity and looking at internal data to determine if patients may have been receiving higher than recommended doses of local anesthetics putting them at risk for toxicity.

Why has your time as a Volunteer been memorable? I have been able to embrace what it means to be a Vol Nurse by continuing to have new opportunities to develop and improve my leadership skills and I have also been able to meet many new friends.

What are your career goals? I plan to become board certified as a CRNA in August and will begin working later this fall. I would like to become more involved with quality improvement and clinical informatics one day and hope to find a way to further incorporate informatics with anesthesia. Additionally, I hope to be able to return to UT to teach in the anesthesia program.

The most influential element of my UT nursing education has been … learning how to become a CRNA and all the opportunities I have had to travel to state and national conferences to network with other CRNA/SRNA leaders and advocate for my new profession.

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CONTACT:

Kara Clark Cardwell (865-974-9498, [email protected])

Student Spotlight: Sandy Cobb

Sandy Cobb, a UT nursing PhD student, is one of the first class of Tennessee Fellowship for Graduate Excellence recipients.

Sandy Cobb first became interested in seizure disorders while working as an EEG technician at the University of North Carolina Medical Center.

Now Cobb, earning her PhD in nursing, was in the first group of students to receive the Tennessee Fellowship for Graduate Excellence. The premier program provided top-dollar fellowships that helped UT recruit some of the nation’s best graduate students in all fields. Continue reading “Student Spotlight: Sandy Cobb”

Student Spotlight: Michael Curtis

The UT College of Nursing shines a spotlight on senior BSN student Michael Curtis from Memphis, TN. Curtis serves as Student Body Vice President and will graduate in May.

Q: What led you to pursue a degree in nursing?

A: Initially, I was drawn to the career by the application of science and mathematics in the profession–I enjoy learning about the human body and solving complicated mathematical equations. My interest in nursing was solidified when I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. The nurses at LeBohner Hospital were so nice and respectful and considerate of my situation. As an eleven year-old child at the time, they made my complicated condition understandable and helped me realize the great impact of nurses–they can encourage, uplift, and restore through the power of their care!

Q: Tell us about a project or organization that you are involved with at UT or in the community.

A: I am involved with Leadership Knoxville Scholars at the university, which provides an avenue for connection to the Knoxville community. Currently, I am completing a community action project at Ijams Nature Center where I volunteer to maintain the environment by removing invasive species, replanting engendered species to more appropriate areas, and overseeing park cleanliness. I also lead interested groups in community service projects.

Q: What have you learned during your time in the UT College of Nursing that has made a difference to you?

A: The curriculum has challenged my way of thinking. Specifically, the Transcultural Nursing and Maternal Nursing courses have made a significant difference in my perspective of life and the nursing profession. Prior to my experiences in the College of Nursing, I did not express empathy or intentionality to others in need of health care. I also took health care for granted, as I did not have to worry about sickness/disease and its financial implications. I have learned that people need more than just procedures or surgery—they need holistic nursing care including empathy and passion that will help restore and maintain good health. Now that I have a better understanding of the potential impact a nurse can have on a patient and their family, I desire to be the change in health care—always being willing to do more for my patients in all situations.

Q: What do you want to do after graduation?

A: I would like to work in a health care facility for two to three years in one of the following areas: critical care unit, emergency department, labor/delivery, or mother/baby. I would then like to pursue a graduate degree.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience at UT?

A: I am grateful for all of my experiences within the College of Nursing, including participation in the Nursing Honors Program and the opportunity to conduct research. I also founded a student organization and am currently serving as Student Body Vice President and these experiences are propelling me to be the individual I that I aspire to be. I am grateful for the faculty and students that I have had the opportunity to work with at UT. Their knowledge, wisdom and compassion has inspired me to do more for the community and the nursing profession. My life will never be the same, and I am grateful for that!