Recent nursing graduate shares insights and tips

BingUNews caught up with Alyssa Vilda, who graduated from Binghamton University’s Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences in May 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and minors in forensic health and health and wellness studies. Vilda shares her views on what it’s like as a new registered nurse and how well she feels Decker College prepared her for that role.

Q. Where are you working?

I am a senior staff nurse at NYU Langone Health in Manhattan on KP8, the acute pediatric unit. I’m also a certified pediatric nurse (CPN) and just became a chemotherapy/biotherapy provider.

Q. What made you choose pediatrics?

I always knew I wanted to work in pediatrics and I was lucky enough to start in this specialty. My unit has general pediatric patients, but also many oncology and epilepsy patients. I particularly love oncology because you are able to build a relationship with the child long term, and that relationship means a lot to the patients and their families. Kids are so resilient, and it’s an honor to be a part of their stories.

Q. How well do you think Decker College prepared you to be a registered nurse?

There is a lot of foundational knowledge nurses need in their careers and Decker challenges students to learn that. What I found most helpful was taking open lab time in Decker’s Innovative Simulation and Practice Center. I liked being able to go into the lab, tell the lab staff what I wanted to work on and then take my time refining my skills. Simulations were intimidating, but they really put students in the mindset to deal with real-life scenarios. I think putting in the hard work at Decker will prepare nursing students to work wherever they want.

Q. What has been the biggest surprise for you in the workplace?

I was surprised by how difficult the transition from student nurse to nurse was, and how long it took me to feel comfortable with the job. But, at six months, something just clicked and I finally started feeling more at ease with work.

Q. You were president of the Nursing Student Association (NSA) while at Decker. How helpful do you think that experience was?

NSA was such an amazing part of my college experience. It connected me with all of Decker’s cohorts and alumni. As a nursing student, it’s great to have a support system of people who are going through the same thing you are and to have people to give you advice to get through the program.

Q. What do you miss most and least about Binghamton University?

I miss the staff in Decker’s Division of Advising and Academic Excellence [Vilda was a peer advisor for the division] and I miss my professors; they were always there for me and I will never forget how they impacted my life. I miss sharing my experiences with younger and prospective students as a peer advisor. My favorite part of the year was spring — sitting outside in the sun and walking around taking in the beauty of the campus. Although I fondly remember late nights in Bartle Library, I don’t miss constantly taking exams and feeling nervous about skills assessments.

Q. Is there anything you regret?

I wish I had more school-life balance and said “yes” more. I was in undergrad when COVID completely shifted the classic college experience and I missed out on a lot because I thought there would always be a “next time.”

Q. What is something you wish you knew while you were still in college?

You are not defined by your achievements. Most Decker students are very ambitious and the semesters can be extremely busy. As someone who is also very achievement-oriented, it is easy to lose sight of what matters. Your heart is more telling of what kind of nurse you will be than your achievements could ever show.

Q. Do you have any tips for graduating nursing students who will soon be taking their NCLEX-RN exams?

Take a break for a couple weeks after graduation: You eaRNed [sic] it. Create a structured study schedule for yourself that incorporates days off. I began studying in June after I graduated, planning what I would study each morning and afternoon. Also, do lots of practice questions.

Q. What’s next on the horizon for you professionally?

I took advantage of my hospital’s nurse residency program and submitted an abstract about my evidence-based practice unit project. I was selected on the national level and will be going to New Orleans in March to present a poster presentation! I will be starting my graduate education this summer to get a master’s degree in nursing to become a primary care pediatric nurse practitioner. I may also pursue another certification to keep moving up the clinical ladder on my unit.