Left Brained or Right Brained?

4/14/15 I. Simon

Flexibililty!

4/14/15 I. Simon

What Do Nursing Students Do On Spring Break…? By:  Jenna Carvallo Editor in Chief

 

When most students think of spring break they think of vacation, beaches, time to be with friends to let off some steam. Well as most of you know, nursing students are a different kind of breed when it comes to most students.  While the rest of the spring breakers were enjoying their well-deserved vacation, several of the CSM nursing students signed up for more classes. That’s right; we all thought how we can make good use of this week of leisure. Eight of us (some not pictured here) decided to take the Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification class.

Heart Share in San Jose held a two day class and their instructors where very friendly and well prepared to teach the grooling class.  I think I can speak for everyone who took the class and say we would highly recommend going to Heart Share for the ACLS training.  They also offer a discount for students and continuing education credits for nurses. They found a way to make it fun and covered everything we would need to know, not only to pass the test, but feel confident in knowing what to do in a mega code. I feel confident that I can take on any role in team when there is a code, from giving medications to being the leader.

Mrs. Kaushiki Kapoor

By Dagan Bruemmer

Mrs. Kapoor has a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Azusa Pacific University and a Masters of Science in Nursing Education from California State University Dominguez Hills. She was a member of Sigma Theta Tau, an honor society for nursing. She has previoulsy instructed at Fresno City College, Baskersfield College and Evergreen Valley College. Mrs. Kapoor began her nursing career as a Medical Surgical Nurse at Riverside County Regional Medical Center, later transitioning to the stroke unit at St. Agnes Medical Center. She also worked as an Intensive Care Unit Nurse at Lompoc Valley Medical Center. She has been a professional speaker at CSUDH healthcare seminars, motivating high school students to pursue the path of nursing. She has been a professional analyzer for test modules designed for vocational nusring students at Wonderlic Inc. In her free time, Mrs. Kapoor tutors ADN, LVN and BSN students for NCLEX.Her hobbies include reading research articles on nursing practice, traveling to different places and bowling. She enjoys spending time with her family and watching old Bollywood movies.

“If you give a man a fish, he will have a single meal. If you teach him how to fish, he will eatall his life”

Kwan-Tzu

Baby Powder: Why is it so dangerous?

 By Jenny Nguyen, CSM SN

The most commonly used item with babies to keep dry and free from rash are baby powders. As new studies are starting to show, the use of baby powders are becoming more dangerous for babies when inhaled. From the American Cancer Society, the common ingredient in most baby powders is talcum powder. Talcum powder is made from talc, a mineral made up mainly of the elements magnesium, silicon, and oxygen. The powder absorbs moisture and helps to reduce friction, making it useful for keeping the skin dry and prevent diaper rash. This mineral is also commonly found in cosmetic products. In their natural form, some talc contains asbestos, known to cause lung cancers when inhaled. The most concern with the connection of talcum powder and cancer is focused on long-term inhalation exposure is a higher risk for lung cancer and women applying it regularly in the genital area are at higher risk for ovarian cancer. Although the results are not definitive, the research continues as talcum powder is being produce in various factories in the world. Another website, babycenter.com, with a pediatrician point of view has also recommended against the use of baby powder due to the risk of respiratory problems. These small particles are easily inhaled and irritate the baby’s lungs, especially if the baby is at high risk for respiratory illness, such as premature babies, babies with congenital heart disease, and babies who have had RSV or frequent respiratory illness. Pediatrician Jennifer Lowry suggests to use the powder sparingly and to be kept away from the baby’s.  This is to prevent skin irritation, and powder build up by cleaning any accumulation of the powder; especially in the folds of the baby’s skin. According to Medline Plus, the most common sign and symptom with excessive use of talcum powder is breathing. The markets  have talc-free baby powder for safe use but are advised to also use sparingly as the small particles can still enter the baby’s lungs.

Reference

Heller, J. (2014, January 20). Talcum powder poisoning: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia (D.

Zieve, Ed.). Retrieved March 2, 2015, from

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002719.htm

Lowry, J. (2014, June 1). Is it safe to use baby powder on my baby? | BabyCenter. Retrieved March 2,

2015, from http://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-safe-to-use-baby-powder-on-my-baby_1519559.bc

Talcum Powder and Cancer. (2014, November 21). Retrieved March 2, 2015, from

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/othercarcinogens/athome/talcum-powder-and-cancer

                       

 And our journey begins…

We have finally concluded our first semester. One semester down and three more to go.  J J J Through the course of this semester, we have learned how to provide assistance to patients with their activities of daily living (e.g. bathing, dressing, feeding), to learning how to give medications. (REMEMBER  EVERY NURSE… Must follow the Six Basic Rights!)  Right person, Right medication (know the side effects, and ask about patient’s allergies!),  Right dose, Right time, Right route, Right Documentation J  It has not been a smooth sailing ride but all our instructors, and having our group stick together helped us survive this (first) journey. All in all, it has been a roller coaster ride with ups and downs, but we must say that we considered this a learning opportunity that will help us become better, especially when it comes to patient care. And, our group agrees... that whatever happens is BX, stays in BX !!.J J

And Never Ever Forget Maslow

One Semester Down 

Editor in Chief: Jenna Carvallo

It is almost the end of the semester and much has happened. By this time the class of 2016 is getting the routine down, the LVNs are blending in as if they were with us from the beginning,  and the class of 2015 (woo woo!) will have another semester under their belts. So far there has been great team work, bonding, and a sense of comradery among both classes.

Few Announcements

The Christmas party is coming up, Dec. 11, and it is always a good time to unwind and get to come together as peers. I want to thank everyone who sent pictures to chronicle our endeavors.  Also I will start to post more on the blog. Finally every nursing student is an NSA member, if anyone has any questions, suggestions, or concerns, any one of the NSA representative can be contacted.

Class of 2015 Officers

President: Arik Alba

Treasurer: Anthony Petrini

Newsletter Editor in Chief: Jenna Carvallo

Newsletter Team: Dagan Bruemmer, Mylene Magallanes, Jenny Nguyen

Student Advisory: Christina Lepe and Jenessa Mairs

NSA Representative: Dorey Ann Levi

ICC Representatives:Katherine Catahan and Stephanie Figueroa

Activities Coordinators: Joy Martin-Spriggs and Jennifer Merchant

Faculty Advisor: Janis Wisherop, RN, MSN

Class of 2016 Officers

Vice President: Josephine Morante

Secretary: Nolan Villamil

Newsletter Team: Aiko Garcia, Rosa Mendoza, Michael Wang

Student Advisory:Taylor Lehane & Michelle White

NSA Representatives:Jessica Holeman and Victoria Moore

ICC Representatives:Catheryn Hugo & Abhinesh Narayan

 

SCRUB LAB

Mylene Magallanes: News letter blogger

Scrub Lab by Mylene M

Scrub Lab at Skyline College

 

For the second year students we are now in our Medical-Surgical rotation. We were lucky enough to have a scrub lab at Skyline College with Alice Erskine and her students. Alice is the instructor for the surgical technician program. They have a very nice facility and lab we were able to see. Alice demonstrated many skills and we were able to practice. We practiced donning and doffing gowns, gloves and other PPE equipment. We were also taught how to scrub in for a surgical procedure. We were supplied with all the necessary supplies to do so. She was very informative and we learned a lot! Her students were the same and helped us throughout the entire process. I have to say it was a great opportunity and I am glad we were able to have that experience!

 

Mylene Magallanes

N211 Review day

Good luck First Years!!

Review day

 Oct 10, 2014

Final Test on Monday, Oct 13

Ebola: First Case in the U.S.

First U.S. Case Of Ebola Confirmed In Dallas 

 by Michaeleen Doucleff

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed Tuesday that the first case of Ebola has appeared in the U.S.

A man in Dallas has tested positive for the virus, the agency says. The man flew to the U.S. from Liberia, arriving on Sept. 20, NPR has learned. He wasn't sick on the flight, and had no symptoms when he arrived.
He first developed symptoms on Wednesday, Sept. 24, according to the CDC, and first sought care on Friday. On Sunday, he was placed in isolation at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Health officials have already started searching for people who may have come into close contact with the man. Ebola isn't contagious until a person starts showing symptoms. And the virus is spread only through direct contact of bodily fluids

This isn't the first time somebody has been treated for Ebola in the U.S. Several American aid workers in recent months caught the virus while working in West Africa and were flown back to the U.S. for treatment.
But it's the first time the disease has been detected in a person in the U.S. The CDC is sending a team to Dallas to work with state and local health officials.

The Ebola epidemic in West Africa continues to grow rapidly. As of Thursday, there have been more 6,500 cases across Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. More 3,000 people have died of the disease, the World Health Organization says.

Infectious diseases experts have predicted for weeks that a few Ebola cases would likely get imported into the U.S. And hospitals around the country have been preparing to detect and treat such a case.
Because Ebola only spreads through body fluids, officials have said that any case like this will likely be quickly identified and contained, and not lead to a widespread outbreak like the one happening now in West Africa.


Original Article here:
http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/09/30/352815781/first-u-s-case-of-ebola-confirmed-in-dallas

Test Post

**testing**

WELCOME FIRST YEARS!!

After Clinicals

Practicing Physical Assessment

 

 

 

Open Skills Lab

**testing**

NCLEX Review for your Smartphone?

Wow!   Seems like there are tons of NCLEX apps for your smartphone - many of them free.  Are they any good?  Depends.  Our ace investigative team scanned the mobile world and found over 200 apps that might be worth downloading.  The free ones are not as robust as the $ versions, but they are free, so check them out!  At the very least you can train the brain in your spare time.

We're not endosing any of these, but here's a list of NCLEX apps for Android and iPhone from appszoom.  They seem to do a pretty good job of scanning the universe of what's out there and how much it might cost you.  Let us know which apps you found helpful!

Elsevier's NCLEX Practice Question of the Week

Did you know Elsevier offers an NCLEX question of the Week on their Facebook page?   They also have a blog on Tumblr that has even more NCLEX questions - all free!  The Tumblr site is nice because you can go to Archive and scroll back several years for lots of sampe test questions.

Addict, Heal Thy Self

-by David Hechim, SN

I’m a proponent of patient participation in their own care plan. I’m a firm believer in the medical team helping a patient help themselves. But the latest medical device to be released by Richmond, Virginia based manufacturer, Kaleo Inc., seems to put this concept into the hands of someone who may not be able to use it at all. Evzio, a hand-held auto-injector that delivers a 0.4mg single dose of naloxone and will be available this summer, according to medical journal reports. Naloxone, commonly called Narcan,

Nursing New Grad – Now What…?

-by David Hechim, SN

What kind of nurses will we be? The first answer, of course is “a good one!” But, where? Maybe not so easy to answer. Especially with the changing dynamic in which health care is delivered. Seems that hospitals aren’t exactly the “place to be”, like they once were. Home health is on the rise. There seems to be a demand for Research Nurses. There are private practices, skilled nursing facilities, community health centers, schools, the list seems to go on and on. But the first question a lot of us will be asking ourselves after our final is, “Where would I really like to work?” The answer to that question is probably a lot closer than we might think. For myself, I look back on all of our clinical rotations. Do I want to be a Psych Nurse? Pediatric Nurse? Work in Labor and Delivery? Med/Surg as a floor nurse? Oncology infusion clinic? Wound Care? Dialysis? OR? ER? ICU? Which one of these felt right for me?

Nursing is a serious business...especially on Halloween!

Instructor Beth Smith prepares for an important lecture.

Fun Time at the Health Fair

Every Fall Semester Nursing Students participate in a College Health Fair where dozens of health-related exhibits are on display.  Once again, our team of amazing students made a serious impact performing glucose tests for diabetes, giving flu shots and demonstrating the art of washing hands!

I Want My Apps and I Want Them Now!

Need Nursing apps for your smartphone?

Relax.  Click here.

A LIttle Drop Will Do Ya?

What if routine bloodwork was near-instant and near painless? 

What if a pin-prick of blood,  say a microliter, could provide enough sample to allow hundreds, maybe even thousands of tests to be run? 

 

Photos courtesy of Theranos, Inc.

 

That future is actually be here and you can see it yourself at the local Walgreens Pharmacy in  Palo Alto, CA.  Starting today (Monday 23 September 2013) and soon nationwide.

A recent Wall Street Journal article profiles the genius and entrepreneur behind Theranos, a med-tech company you'll be hearing much about soon.  Meet 29-year old Elizabeth Holmes.  A  Stanford drop out at age 19 (sound familiar?) she cashed in her college fund and started up Theranos,  Her company has been quietly working on dramatically reducing the time and cost of common and not-so-common laboratory tests. 

Imagine, as nurses, you could eliminate the pain of large volume blood draws.  Lower risk of anemia.  No more dealing with collapsed veins.  No tears from a sick child.  No long waits on critical tests.  Welcome to the next wave of medical science.

Let the Clinicals Begin!

Congratulations, N211 Students!  You've completed your Pre-Clinical training and are on to your clinical rotations.  Welcome to the next level of your nursing education.

San Francisco VA Hospital - one of the many hospitals CSM Nursing Students will experience.

New Warning from CDC

Superbugs - mutating strains of disease-causing pathogens - are increasingly killing people worldwide and the problem is getting worse.  Overuse and misuse of antibiotics are often cited as the most common reasons.

Click on the image for larger view

As healthcare professionals we are not only on the front lines of a global battle but in some ways we are also vectors.  CDC notes that annually, 250,000 hospitalized patients contract Clostridium difficile -  aka C. difficile, and that 14,000 of those patients die from the infection.   

 Click on the image for larger view

Looking at the range of growing threats, the numbers are staggering.   In the U.S.: at least 2,049,442 illnesses and 23,000 deaths.  The latest CDC report outlines the impact on patients and healthcare costs.

Click on the image for larger view

You can download this 113-page report from the CDC (PDF) from this LINK.  Find out who

Look Out World! Here They Come!

Congratulations to our new graduates - College of San Mateo Nursing School Class of 2013.  We are so proud of you!  And wow!  Check out those super-clean hands!

Wash Your Hands or Lose Your Job?

Imagine this.  It's 23:00 and time to start your shift in PICU.  Your first assignment is to check on a post-op patient and do a cath change.  Video cameras follow you and transmit images to a company in India where you are being watched.  Actually, not you so much as your hands.  You did de-germ, right?  You were thorough, yes?  You do want to keep your job, correct?.  

You know why.  Dirty hands kill patients.  According to the New York Times, it's also about controlling costs.  Like $30 Billion USD annually in the US alone.  Hospitals everywhere are experimenting with all types of methods to improve hand hygiene. 

Want to know more?  Check out the CDC site on Hand Hygiene.

Need more inspiration?  Watch these videos!