A New Challenge

Former speech-language pathologist excels in the accelerated BSN program at UMDNJ

By Sandy Keefe, MSN, RN

As a child in Jamaica, Kimberly Jumpp became intrigued with a sign language program taught at her neighborhood church, and resolved to pursue a career that would allow her to make use of that interest. After her family relocated to the U.S, she fulfilled her goal, earning a BA in speech-language pathology at Temple University in Philadelphia.

"That was a great accomplishment, but I wanted to help people in a way that would be fulfilling to me as well as to the person I was helping, and speech-language pathology just didn't do that for me," she said.

During conversations with aunts and cousins who were happy with their nursing careers, Jumpp had an epiphany.

"A nurse spends a lot of time with patients, is able to provide very satisfying hands-on care, and can influence people in more ways than doctors, therapists or other healthcare professionals can," she realized.

After working for a year as a research assistant in psychiatry at Temple, she enrolled in the accelerated BSN program at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) School of Nursing. Now in her fourth semester at the school's Newark campus, Jumpp has had a breathtaking year so far.

Demanding, but Rewarding

"I knew an accelerated program was going to be hard, but I didn't really know what the demands for the highest academic level possible would really be like," she said. "I've never experienced anything like this in terms of hard work – you have to be on top of everything, and there's a lot of self-directed learning. You can't take off 3-4 days and relax because you have to learn as much as possible in that brief 15 months of school."

But all the hard work is rewarding. "You learn things about yourself that you never knew you could do," Jumpp said. "You learn to juggle a full course load and intensive clinical experiences, and some students balance family care and outside jobs as well.

"They constantly test us in class, and also observe us closely in clinical to ensure we have excellent skills in assessment, critical thinking and hands-on care, so we're always on our toes. That will make us stronger nurses in the long run."

Student Leader

A high-ranking student in both didactic and clinical courses, Jumpp has the opportunity to tutor lower-level nursing students as a nursing student ambassador, a grant-funded program developed by Professor Gloria McNeal, PhD, APRN,BC, FAAN.

The program is "for students to receive tutoring in areas where they need help, whether it be med/surg, pathophysiology or pharmacology," Jumpp explained.

"Once you've mastered a topic and feel comfortable, you can tutor," she added. "We're also planning workshops and will develop lesson plans to teach small groups. It's refreshing for me because I have to go back and develop a plan of teaching and anticipate questions the student may ask."

In her final semester of nursing school, Jumpp will complete courses in leadership and community health, as well as a capstone project.

"We'll have the chance to work with residents of different New Jersey communities, and rotate to the mobile health van as well," she said. "Last year's class went to the Dominican Republic and served more than 3,000 people, so I hope to go there as well. It's close to my roots in Jamaica, and I'd love to serve the people there."

After Graduation

Jumpp is looking forward to her graduation in December and NCLEX exams in early 2008.

"We take an assessment at the end of each class that tells us where we are with regard to our classmates and students in other schools," she said. "We review key points and can go to the Web site and take self-assessments and brush up on information any time we want. There will be an NCLEX review at the end of our program, so I'm confident I'll earn my RN license."

After graduation, Jumpp hopes to return to Philadelphia and work in critical care at a major university hospital.

"I definitely want to go as far as my education can take me; after I work a year in critical care, I want to go back for my master's and maybe my PhD," she said. "Nursing can take you anywhere, and you can find anything you want for yourself in the nursing profession.

"I may become a nurse anesthetist, or a specialist in critical care nursing — at this point, I have all my options open!"

Sandy Keefe is a frequent contributor to ADVANCE.