Vaccines, Vaccines, and more Vaccines…

2 TB shots and now a Flu shot. Last step before officially volunteering at Casa Colina was the option to get a Flu shot or wear a mask around patients. I choose to not wear a face mask and get vaccinated. I was also given instructions as to how to greet a patient, what each wristband color represented and what should I expect to see.

Each color represents a wristband…

Green- "soap and bleach"

     *no hand sanitizer; bleach wipes ONLY (bc patients might be highly allergic) 

Yellow- "fall risk"

     *yellow & red cards on room door represent fall risks 

bathroom bands 

Orange- bathroom supervision needed

Blue- outside bathroom supervision 

Green- own bathroom use 

white wristbands 

Red- Allergies 

Yellow- Isolation 

"Lizard Band"- swallowing percautions 

"contact precautions" 

     *gown and gloves required 

"+" indicate patient can wander around the hospital 

"wander guard"

(Volunteer Uniform)

the happy face sticker indicates that I have taken my flu shot

A step closer!

My second TB test was read today, all I'm waiting for as of right now is to schedule an orientation for patient safety and as soon as I go through with that I will finally begin volunteering at Casa Colina. Casa Colina is only a rehabilitation center and doesn't have any premature babies or babies for that sake but it does have registered nurses. I would've hoped to have a mentor who was a Neonatal Nurse but i guess the process of it was too complicated so thats not happening. DILEMMAS DILEMMAS. Luckily I was approved to do mentorship with a registered so that turned out ok.

Blog 9: EQ

Title: EQ
Label: Research
Due Date: Friday 11/22 by 8AM

Content
1."I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ."

2. a.  What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?

• I personally think that this EQ does not meet the rule of 3. This EQ doesn't really have a direct purpose(like directed to a specific person/audience), the EQ should've been more specific as in choosing a gender because maybe factors can differ within gender and not be the same important factor for both. 

 b.  What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?

• This EQ can be improved choosing a specific crime so that its easier for one to understand as to the person just focusing on criminal investigation in general. 

 c.  What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?

• This EQ maybe should've included "what is the most important FACTOR…" so that he/she focuses on a specific hairstyle. 

 d.  How can an Anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?

• Yes this EQ does meet the rule of 3 criteria. EQ is worded in a way that its specific to understand what the person is trying to focus on and revolve his or her presentation on. This EQ is straight forward. 

3. Current EQ: What is the most important factor to keep in mind when working with infants who acquire critical conditions? 

EQ: How can you best treat infants who are born prematurely? 

Preemie baby at the hospital!

The day I went to the Queen of the valley  hospital to interview Zarah Cuevo I came across seeing a premature baby in an incubator. The baby boy was born 34 weeks of pregnancy and is to be held until it is healthy. The baby boy was born with respiratory distress syndrome being the immaturity of the lungs. He was hooked up, and was put in his own room away from the other premature babies. I'm guessing the baby was in severe conditions. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to take a picture for privacy reasons. Aside from seeing this baby boy, I also got to see other premature babies that were just a couple weeks or days from going home. I stood there and watched the nurses do their job! When a baby would cry an alarm would go off and the nurse would immediately turn off the alarm and check on the baby. The nurses were very cautious about washing their hands before touching the baby and after. The room is set up differently then you would expect. The premature babies are put in their cribs along both sides of the room, and forever baby's crib there is a rocking chair and there's a total of 3 to 4 sinks in each room. 

Blog 8: Research and Working EQ

Title:  Research and Working EQ

Label:  Research
Due Date: Thursday October 17 by 8AM

Content:
1.  What is your working EQ?

• What is the most important aspect to have in mind when working with infants who acquire critical conditions? 

2.  What is a possible answer to your working EQ? Please write the answer in thesis format. 

• Take in account parents who aren't educated on caring for an infant who wasn't born in normal conditions   

3.  What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ?

• The most important source that has helped come up with an answer for my working EQ has to be my mentor because she has given me detailed answers and opinions that internet cannot. 

4.  Who is your mentor, or where are you volunteering, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?

• My mentor, well my mentor in process is Zarah Cuevo and she has taught me that the NICU profession is difficult emotionally, she has told me that working with these infants who have critical conditions can be very draining and an aspect to kind in mind when doing so is that not only take care of the baby and making them feel better but also involving the parents and educating them so that they can learn to take care of their babies at home without harming them unintentionally. 

Blog 7: Independent Component 1 Approval

Title: Independent Component 1 Approval
Label: Independent Component
Due Date: Thursday, 10/3 by 8AM

1.  Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.

• My Independent component will consist of taking a psychology class up at Mt.Sac. The psychology class will distinguish human behavior causes and explanations as to how the mind works. I will study the concepts of psychology by reading, taking notes, taking quizzes/test and doing activities. 

2. Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence. 

• To show evidence of the 30 hours completed I am going to provide my teacher with a copy of my transcript with a grade being a P or higher. 

3.  And explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.

• Taking a psychology class will help me understand the aspects of human behavior so in the long run i will have  kind of an idea of what to expect from patients. 

Blog 6: Second Interview

Title:  Second Interview Questions
Label: Interviews
Due Date: Monday Thursday 9/19 by 8AM 

Content: 

1. Who is your mentor and where do they work?
As of right now I haven't gotten the approval of the person I would like to be my mentor. In case of approval, Zarah Cuevo, would be my mentor and she works at the Queen of the Valley hospital in West Covina. 

2. What 5 questions will you ask them about their background?

• What made you decide you wanted to become a neonatal nurse?
• Where did you acquire your degree and how long did the process take?
• Why did you chose to go to school where you did?
• How long have you been apart of this profession? In what ways is it rewarding? How would you change the neonatal profession?
• Throughout your experience, which occasion has been the most significant to you and why? 
• Do you believe it is preferable to have experience beforehand, why or why not? 
• Did you have prior experience? If not, why not? 

Miracle baby, "a tale of two families"

Baby Abigail Rose Beutler, suffers from a rare condition known as Potter's syndrome. Potter's syndrome is the primarily problem for kidney failure, whereas the kidney fails to fully develop when the baby is growing in the womb. It occurs because of the lack of amniotic fluid which is needed to help circulate. It also helps baby properly develop his or her bones and lungs, andhelps the baby keep a constant temperature throughout their body. Potters syndrome is typical shown in the babies facial appearance. 

Baby Abigail was born on July 15. 2013, 2 months premature, she was about 2 pounds and 12 ounces. Abigail was born without kidneys and should be given a daily treatment, in the long run she will need a kidney transplant. 

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/07/congresswomans-miracle-baby-defying-potters-syndrome-odds/

Blog 5: Project Reflection and working EQ

Title: Blog 5 Project Reflection and Working EQ
Label: Research
Due Date: Sunday 9/8 

The Pentagon: 
1. Positive Statement: 
What positive thing happen as a result of what you have completed so far?

• So far with what I have completed I personally feel like all these assignments have been such a help, in a way that has reassured me that Neonatal nursing is what I wish to pursue in the future. When I interviewed Zarah Cuevo, just being in the NICU department made me come to a realization that I can picture myself being this type of nurse. Doing all this research has given me the advantage to gain knowledge on this topic and mentorship is allowing me to physically experience working with patients. 

2. EQ Content: 

Pick a piece of research or your interview.  How has it helped you improve your understanding of your topic?

• My first interview has helped me improve the understanding of my topic because Zarah elaborated well with her responses. Being in the NICU you have to have the compassion for this type of job, and throughout the interview she was a good candidate because she seemed very passionate about providing the babies and parents with the best care she could give them. She gave me useful information and facts that helped me have a better understanding on my topic. 

3. What has worked for you so far in the senior project? 

• Being able to interview someone who is a Neonatal Intensive Care unit profession has been such a bonus because all the information I was given has encouraged me to keep on looking into it. 

4. What hasn't worked so far?nbsp; 

•  I haven't experienced anything that hasn't worked out, the only thing is that I had a temporarily mentor for the summer, and at the moment I'm trying to get a mentor at the place where i will soon be volunteering at. 

5. Finding value:
What is a potential question you would like to study this year?  (working EQ)

• What is the important aspect to have in mind when working with babies in critical conditions? How can I emotionally deal with a situation like this?

What do you plan to do for mentorship?  If you haven't found a mentor yet, then discuss where you are currently looking and who you are talking to to find it.  

• I am currently looking into talking to a nurse who works at Casa Colina, after i attend orientation. I am also thinking of talking to Zarah Cuevo to see if she would have the time to be able to be my mentor. I really hope she has a flexible schedule to fit me in because as of right now she seems like my most useful resource. Although, I can always talk to my summer mentor. 

August 29th "What it means to be a NICU nurse?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw-retqxZ1w

Today I came across this video that shows what a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse is obligated to do when working in this profession. It shows how challenging and difficult it can get at times, but also shows how the nurses manage to not show apathy but vice versa to the babies with such conditions. To me its so heart warming to know that there are nurses who care for these babies and show ambition towards them. Even if the outcome isn't what they hoped for they never give up and give it their all to what is needed to be done. And I feel like I have all the compassion needed to pursue this career as Neonatal nurse.

Blog 4: Interview Preparation

Title: Blog 4: Interview Preparation 

Label: Interview 

Due Date: 8/30 

Content:

1. The person I plan on interviewing is a Neonatal Nurse who works at the Queen of the Valley Hospital in West Covina. Zarah Cuevo is a good candidate for my first interview because she works in the profession I wish to pursue in the long run and can provide me with the most efficient and reliable information. 

2.  Additional questions

• What do you feel is the most important aspect in your profession?
• What is the best piece of advice you can give someone who wishes to pursue this profession?
• What difficulties have you faced throughout your experience as a neonatal nurse?

Blog 3: ESLR goals

Title: Blog 3: Topic Choice and Semester 1 ESLR Goals
Label: ESLR
Due Date: Friday August 23rd by 8AM

1. Neonatal Nursing

2. Throughout this year I hope to gain all the knowledge needed to pursue this career and to make certain Neonatal Nursing is what I would like to succeed in within the future. I will show that I am an Effective Learner by doing my best to get into one of the best nursing programs known, and taking science courses. To show that I am an Effective Communicator I will communicate with patients and experts in the field to gain experience and to be able to adjust to different situations and conditions. To represent that I will be an Effective user of Technology I am going to use the internet appropriately to find the essential resources needed such updated news, articles, graphs, and schooling options. To ensure my being of an Effective I-Poly citizen I will partake in as many events and always remember to show devotion in being respectful.

Blog 2: Summer Mentorship

Title: Summer Mentorship Component
Label: Mentorship
Due Date: Monday, August 19th by 8AM

Literal:
1. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Anvg8eKzDNEldFpNZ0xWU0VzUWhHazd3eUw2S0FBWkE#gid=0

2. Ana Vasquez (323) 227-1875

3. What questions were raised because of the 10 hours of experience?  List them. 

• What could be the worse case scenario when helping a patient?
• How should one react when there's an emergency? What should one do?

Interpretive:
4. What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?

•  Within the 10 hours of my summer mentorship the most important thing I gained from this experience would have to be the ability to communicate thoroughly with others. Without well communication there would be unhappy patients, and the goal is to maintain patients inactive and to give them anything they desire.

Applied:
5. How did what you did help you choose a topic?  Please explain.

• I already had my mind set on choosing Neonatal Nursing as my senior topic. This concept was a benefit because it help me gain experience in what has to come in the long run when I do pursue this career.

Blog 1: senior reflections

Title: 2013 2- hour Presentation Reflections
Label: Research
Due Date: Monday, June 11th by 8AM

Literal:

1. (Know) What presentations did you see? Name the topic and the persons first name.

• One of the presentations I saw within the first week of senior presentations was based on being a Child Life Specialist, presented by Alica R.

2. (Need to know) What questions do you have that havent been answered about the senior project? *in general*

• Whats the best sort of advice previous seniors would give an incoming senior based on senior project?
• Which component within the senior project would you say was the most ambiguous?

 Interpretive:

3. What has the most important part of the senior project based on what you are seeing in the 2-hour presentations?

• To meet the 30 minutes of speaking that is required and to know thoroughly what your topic is on; when presenting just let it flow, and make sure to do a lot of research and rehearsing.

Applied:

4. What topic are you considering doing and why?

• I am considering doing my senior project on Neonatal Nursing, because I feel like I have the compassion to go through with this type of career.