St. Gianna Catholic St. Gianna Catholic Health AcademyHealth Academy

Nicole WaldenNicole Walden

Orientation WeekOrientation Week

St. Francis and St. Joseph Hospitals: Campus ToursSt. Francis and St. Joseph Hospitals: Campus Tours Security informed us about parking and wearing our badges.Security informed us about parking and wearing our badges. All the students were required to get a Tuberculosis shot.All the students were required to get a Tuberculosis shot. Mrs. Clarke-Hang explained the Hand Washing and Mrs. Clarke-Hang explained the Hand Washing and

Hygiene Presentations we performed in Elementary Hygiene Presentations we performed in Elementary Schools.Schools.

Orientation at Newman University for Medical TerminologyOrientation at Newman University for Medical Terminology We discussed receiving college credit for this course.We discussed receiving college credit for this course. We were told how to use blackboard and submit online tests.We were told how to use blackboard and submit online tests.

St. Gianna BlogsSt. Gianna Blogs

Each week we all went on various Each week we all went on various rotations at either St. Francis or St. rotations at either St. Francis or St. Joseph Hospital.Joseph Hospital.

After each experience, we blogged about After each experience, we blogged about everything we saw and what we learned. everything we saw and what we learned. We then commented on two other We then commented on two other student’s blogs.student’s blogs.

Week 1: St. Joe NICUWeek 1: St. Joe NICU

““My first week of rotations I went to the NICU at St. Joe.  My first day I My first week of rotations I went to the NICU at St. Joe.  My first day I observed a nurse perform the regular afternoon schedules for three observed a nurse perform the regular afternoon schedules for three different babies.  She was very good at explaining everything she was different babies.  She was very good at explaining everything she was doing and what the monitors and other equipment did.  She changed doing and what the monitors and other equipment did.  She changed their linens, fed them, and monitored their linens, fed them, and monitored vital signsvital signs and levels of and levels of nutrients.  It was interesting that they only allow contact with the nutrients.  It was interesting that they only allow contact with the babies at certain times throughout the day. babies at certain times throughout the day. The second day I was with another nurse who The second day I was with another nurse who also had three babies.  One was born with dislocated hips and had to also had three babies.  One was born with dislocated hips and had to wear a brace.  This patient was hard to work with because she was not wear a brace.  This patient was hard to work with because she was not very mobile and the brace had to be taken on and off.  She later very mobile and the brace had to be taken on and off.  She later received an ultrasound.  The other two babies underwent the same received an ultrasound.  The other two babies underwent the same routines I witnessed my first day.  Before I was assigned to a nurse, I routines I witnessed my first day.  Before I was assigned to a nurse, I saw a baby having a lot of trouble.  I was not allowed in the room, but I saw a baby having a lot of trouble.  I was not allowed in the room, but I watched from the hall.  I couldn't tell much of what they were doing, watched from the hall.  I couldn't tell much of what they were doing, but I saw them thump the bottom of his foot to stimulate him.  I later but I saw them thump the bottom of his foot to stimulate him.  I later learned that one of the procedures done was a spinal tap.  It was learned that one of the procedures done was a spinal tap.  It was exciting to watch but sad at the same time.”exciting to watch but sad at the same time.”

Week 3: St. Joe RadiologyWeek 3: St. Joe Radiology ““My third week of rotations I went to My third week of rotations I went to

radiology at St. Joe.  This has been my radiology at St. Joe.  This has been my favorite so far.  I got to see a variety of favorite so far.  I got to see a variety of different procedures.  The first day was not different procedures.  The first day was not as busy as the second day.  I got to look at as busy as the second day.  I got to look at pictures of different X-rays and got a tour pictures of different X-rays and got a tour of the facilities.  I saw pictures of barium of the facilities.  I saw pictures of barium proceeding through the digestive tract.  I proceeding through the digestive tract.  I followed Jaime around all of the first day.  followed Jaime around all of the first day.  We also went to SICU to do a portable We also went to SICU to do a portable chest X-ray.  It was a very interesting day. chest X-ray.  It was a very interesting day. The second day I got to watch The second day I got to watch more invasive X-ray procedures along with more invasive X-ray procedures along with some ordinary pictures.  I saw a few chest some ordinary pictures.  I saw a few chest and abdomen X-rays but the most and abdomen X-rays but the most interesting procedure was a voiding-interesting procedure was a voiding-cystogram.  They injected dye from a cystogram.  They injected dye from a catheter to see a picture of the patient's catheter to see a picture of the patient's uterus and fallopian tubes.  They were uterus and fallopian tubes.  They were looking for a reason for infertility.  It was looking for a reason for infertility.  It was very interesting procedure and I was glad very interesting procedure and I was glad the patient was comfortable enough to let the patient was comfortable enough to let me watch.  I learned a lot this rotation!”me watch.  I learned a lot this rotation!”

Week 9: St. Francis ERWeek 9: St. Francis ER

““This week I went on rotations to the ER.  This week I went on rotations to the ER.  It was so cool!  The first day was not as It was so cool!  The first day was not as exciting as the second day, but it was still exciting as the second day, but it was still somewhat eventful.  I got to see two somewhat eventful.  I got to see two different CT scans and got a tour of the different CT scans and got a tour of the ER.  The second day I got to see another ER.  The second day I got to see another CT scan and then a trauma came in.  The CT scan and then a trauma came in.  The patient had side swiped a car and ran his patient had side swiped a car and ran his vehicle into a house.  He was very vehicle into a house.  He was very combative and had to be restrained.  He combative and had to be restrained.  He was thought to be bipolar or under the was thought to be bipolar or under the influence of narcotics.  My nurse and I influence of narcotics.  My nurse and I left half way through his head-to-toe left half way through his head-to-toe exam to go see a helicopter come in.  It exam to go see a helicopter come in.  It was transporting a patient who had also was transporting a patient who had also been in a car wreck.  It was interesting to been in a car wreck.  It was interesting to see the air/ground dispatch room.  I loved see the air/ground dispatch room.  I loved the atmosphere of the ER and how there the atmosphere of the ER and how there was such a variety of patients.  This is was such a variety of patients.  This is my favorite rotation so far.”my favorite rotation so far.”

Week 10: St. Francis PediatricsWeek 10: St. Francis Pediatrics ““This week I went to the Pediatrics unit This week I went to the Pediatrics unit

at St. Francis hospital.  I really enjoyed at St. Francis hospital.  I really enjoyed this rotation.  It was something I could this rotation.  It was something I could see myself doing in the future.  I see myself doing in the future.  I watched the nurses check up on watched the nurses check up on patients, chart, and administer patients, chart, and administer medicine.  I also watched an admission medicine.  I also watched an admission and a discharge.  I liked the variety of and a discharge.  I liked the variety of patients and problems that came in and patients and problems that came in and out of Pediatrics.  The kids did not out of Pediatrics.  The kids did not complain much and seemed easier to complain much and seemed easier to work with than most adults I have work with than most adults I have seen.  I saw a boy with a broken jaw, a seen.  I saw a boy with a broken jaw, a lot of RSV patients, and a boy who just lot of RSV patients, and a boy who just had his tonsils removed.   He was the had his tonsils removed.   He was the most troubled patient.  He was only two most troubled patient.  He was only two and he did not want to drink anything.  and he did not want to drink anything.  The next day I saw him get discharged The next day I saw him get discharged though so everyone was very excited though so everyone was very excited for him.  It was a good couple days!” for him.  It was a good couple days!”

Week 11: St. Francis CICUWeek 11: St. Francis CICU ““This week in rotations I was in CICU in St. Francis.  I This week in rotations I was in CICU in St. Francis.  I

followed a nurse named Terri.  She was very nice and followed a nurse named Terri.  She was very nice and explained everything very well.  The first day one of the explained everything very well.  The first day one of the patients died.  It was the first time I have ever patients died.  It was the first time I have ever experience this, so it was very eye opening.  The experience this, so it was very eye opening.  The patient was estranged from his family, so no one came patient was estranged from his family, so no one came to see him.  His body was not even claimed, so he to see him.  His body was not even claimed, so he became a ward of the state.  It was sad.  I also almost became a ward of the state.  It was sad.  I also almost got to go to a code, but the patient turned out to be got to go to a code, but the patient turned out to be DNR, so we returned to CICU.  The second day was a DNR, so we returned to CICU.  The second day was a pretty routine day.  The nurse gave two patients baths pretty routine day.  The nurse gave two patients baths and administered meds.” and administered meds.”

Thank You LettersThank You Letters

After each rotation, the students wrote thank you After each rotation, the students wrote thank you letters to our mentors from the unit we observed.letters to our mentors from the unit we observed.

We made both professional and hand-made cards.We made both professional and hand-made cards.

Hand-Hand-made made CardsCards

Professional Professional

Thank You LettersThank You Letters

April 22, 2010April 22, 2010ATTN: Heart Cath LabATTN: Heart Cath LabTammy UnruhTammy UnruhSt. Francis CampusSt. Francis Campus929 S. St. Francis929 S. St. FrancisWichita, KS 67212Wichita, KS 67212Dear Tammy Unruh, Dear Tammy Unruh,

I would like to thank you for allowing me to observe and shadow in the Heart Cath Lab. It I would like to thank you for allowing me to observe and shadow in the Heart Cath Lab. It was an experience I will never forget. I met many nice people and I learned so much about what was an experience I will never forget. I met many nice people and I learned so much about what exactly goes on in the Heart Cath Lab.exactly goes on in the Heart Cath Lab.

Everyone in the lab was very friendly and no one minded sharing their valuable knowledge. Everyone in the lab was very friendly and no one minded sharing their valuable knowledge. All of the well-learned employees were very selfless in helping me to understand everything that goes All of the well-learned employees were very selfless in helping me to understand everything that goes on with using heart catheters to simplify surgeries. It was amazing to see how the wire was so easily on with using heart catheters to simplify surgeries. It was amazing to see how the wire was so easily fed into the artery, and how simple it was to treat certain heart related problems. This experience was fed into the artery, and how simple it was to treat certain heart related problems. This experience was most enjoyable and the valuable information I attained is all thanks to you. I look forward to exploring most enjoyable and the valuable information I attained is all thanks to you. I look forward to exploring and learning more about the Heart Cath Lab in the future. and learning more about the Heart Cath Lab in the future.

Once again, thank you very much for your time and treasure. Once again, thank you very much for your time and treasure. Sincerely,Sincerely,Nicole WaldenNicole Walden

February 18, 2010 February 18, 2010     ATTN: 5SE ATTN: 5SE Barb Bogner Barb Bogner St. Francis Campus St. Francis Campus 929 S. St. Francis 929 S. St. Francis Wichita , KS 67212 Wichita , KS 67212     Dear Barb Bogner, Dear Barb Bogner,    

I would like to thank you for allowing me to observe and shadow in the Five Southeast nursing unit at St. Francis Hospital . I would like to thank you for allowing me to observe and shadow in the Five Southeast nursing unit at St. Francis Hospital . It was an experience I will never forget. I met several nice people and I learned so much about what exactly goes on in nursing units. It was an experience I will never forget. I met several nice people and I learned so much about what exactly goes on in nursing units.

    Everyone in 5SE was very friendly and no one minded sharing their valuable knowledge. All of the well-learned employees Everyone in 5SE was very friendly and no one minded sharing their valuable knowledge. All of the well-learned employees were very selfless in helping me to understand everything that goes on with assisting patients and being a nurse. It was great to see were very selfless in helping me to understand everything that goes on with assisting patients and being a nurse. It was great to see how each patient is cared for and looked after. This experience was most enjoyable and the valuable information I attained is all thanks how each patient is cared for and looked after. This experience was most enjoyable and the valuable information I attained is all thanks to you. I look forward to exploring and learning more about nursing in the future. to you. I look forward to exploring and learning more about nursing in the future.

    Once again, thank you very much for your time and treasure. Once again, thank you very much for your time and treasure.

    Sincerely, Sincerely, Nicole WaldenNicole Walden

Mentor FormsMentor Forms

Neonatal Neonatal Intensive Intensive Care UnitCare Unit

Emergency Room Emergency Room St. Francis St. Francis

HospitalHospital

Heart Cath Heart Cath LabLab

CICUCICU

Rehab Services Rehab Services St. Francis St. Francis HospitalHospital

Cover Cover LetterLetter

ResumeResume

ReferencesReferences

Career List ProjectCareer List Project

This project each student picked five This project each student picked five careers they were interested in and careers they were interested in and researched them.researched them.

1)1) Surgical TechnologistsSurgical Technologists

2)2) Physicians and SurgeonsPhysicians and Surgeons

3)3) EMT ParamedicEMT Paramedic

4)4) Physician’s AssistantPhysician’s Assistant

5)5) Radiological TechnologistRadiological Technologist

Hand Washing and Hand Washing and Hygiene PresentationsHygiene Presentations

In groups of five, we went to In groups of five, we went to Holy Cross Lutheran and St. Holy Cross Lutheran and St. Margaret Mary elementary Margaret Mary elementary schools to present hand schools to present hand washing and hygiene tips to washing and hygiene tips to students grades 1-3.students grades 1-3.

We had skits, songs, posters, We had skits, songs, posters, and an ultraviolet light and an ultraviolet light presentation.presentation.

The kids all loved the The kids all loved the presentations and it was presentations and it was rewarding to see that we rewarding to see that we could provide valuable could provide valuable information in a fun way.information in a fun way.

Professional LecturesProfessional Lectures

Every Friday we traveled to Newman University to hear Every Friday we traveled to Newman University to hear healthcare professionals discuss their careers. healthcare professionals discuss their careers.

This was very valuable information and was interesting This was very valuable information and was interesting to get different opinions of all types of careers.to get different opinions of all types of careers.

Cadaver LabCadaver Lab

We got the opportunity to attend We got the opportunity to attend the Cadaver Lab at Newman the Cadaver Lab at Newman University. The professor University. The professor explained what the students had explained what the students had learned and then we were allowed learned and then we were allowed to interact with the cadavers. It to interact with the cadavers. It was a very valuable learning was a very valuable learning experience!experience!

Zoo TripZoo Trip

We went to the We went to the Sedgwick County Sedgwick County Zoo to assess the Zoo to assess the animals. We animals. We checked the checked the heartbeat and lungs heartbeat and lungs of horses, goats, and of horses, goats, and chickens.chickens.

Final ReflectionFinal Reflection

Health Academy was an experience I will Health Academy was an experience I will never forget. We were given many never forget. We were given many wonderful opportunities and were exposed wonderful opportunities and were exposed to many different situations. I am grateful to many different situations. I am grateful for being able to observe first hand in all for being able to observe first hand in all the different units of the hospital. It was the different units of the hospital. It was exciting to get to see what all health care exciting to get to see what all health care professionals go through on a regular professionals go through on a regular basis. I really enjoyed this semester!basis. I really enjoyed this semester!