Dante Hatem, BS '19, RN

"I want to express my utmost gratitude to ... the faculty at UB SON for being such wonderful teachers and genuinely wanting the best for your students. I have heard from new graduates from all over on how unorganized their programs were and I feel blessed for choosing the right school.

I am five shifts into my orientation on a medical ICU unit at Upstate University Hospital, and I have had such flattering compliments for how far ahead I am than most new orients. I am already being given vented patients, unstable patients and full autonomy to treat them. I am confident speaking with doctors, especially when it comes to patient advocacy and drug options, and I have made impactful recommendations to doctors and more.

Almost every nurse on my unit has asked if I came from another hospital (in a good way) and are very surprised with how well I perform difficult skills, manage my time and perform thorough assessments for all patients. For example, today I ordered an ABG for an extubated patient when I noticed a change in the patient's mentation from my morning assessment. The results showed the patient was extremely acidotic, so I notified the MD and we created a plan together to improve the patient’s outcome.*

I cannot thank [the faculty] enough, as UB's program has put me so far ahead compared to so many graduate nurses from other schools and has given me the confidence I need to survive on my demanding floor."

*Patient details altered to protect privacy.