St. Gianna St. Gianna Catholic Health Catholic Health

AcademyAcademyChelsea ErnstmannChelsea Ernstmann

Orientation WeekOrientation Week

We received a tour of St. Joseph We received a tour of St. Joseph Campus and St. Francis Campus Campus and St. Francis Campus HospitalsHospitals

Security officers came and talked to Security officers came and talked to us about badges and parking us about badges and parking

Medical Terminology class at Medical Terminology class at Newman University orientationNewman University orientation

Tuberculosis shot Tuberculosis shot

BlogsBlogs Each week during Health Academy Each week during Health Academy

we went on a rotation two days a we went on a rotation two days a week to a different part of either St. week to a different part of either St. Joseph or St. Francis Hospital.Joseph or St. Francis Hospital.

After each rotation we wrote a blog After each rotation we wrote a blog about what we experienced on that about what we experienced on that rotation. We also commented on rotation. We also commented on other student’s blogs and it became a other student’s blogs and it became a collaborative learning process. collaborative learning process.

Burn UnitBurn Unit For week 10 of rotations I was in the Burn Unit. On the first For week 10 of rotations I was in the Burn Unit. On the first

day I received a tour of the unit. The nurse showed me day I received a tour of the unit. The nurse showed me around and took me into the room where they receive burn around and took me into the room where they receive burn patients. It was extremely hot in that room and I wonder patients. It was extremely hot in that room and I wonder how the nurses are able to work there. The nurse I was with how the nurses are able to work there. The nurse I was with had a patient with a large wound in her leg. She received had a patient with a large wound in her leg. She received some medications and her lunch. Another of my nurse's some medications and her lunch. Another of my nurse's patients had a double leg amputation and was soon to be patients had a double leg amputation and was soon to be discharged. We gave him medications and left him to rest. discharged. We gave him medications and left him to rest. Then the nurse showed me the burn book. It had many Then the nurse showed me the burn book. It had many different pictures and I learned a lot from it.different pictures and I learned a lot from it.

On the second day, my nurse had two of the same patients On the second day, my nurse had two of the same patients as the previous day. She also was caring for another person as the previous day. She also was caring for another person who had his big toe amputated. We gave them medications who had his big toe amputated. We gave them medications and the patient with the double leg amputation was and the patient with the double leg amputation was discharged. The burn unit was a very interesting place. I discharged. The burn unit was a very interesting place. I found it ironic that while I was there none of the patients in found it ironic that while I was there none of the patients in the unit had burns. All together, it was a good learning the unit had burns. All together, it was a good learning experience and the staff was really nice.experience and the staff was really nice.

Pediatric Intensive Care Pediatric Intensive Care UnitUnit

For week 11 of rotations I was in the Pediatric Intensive For week 11 of rotations I was in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. On the first day I was with a nurse who was Care Unit. On the first day I was with a nurse who was monitoring a baby who had many different complications. monitoring a baby who had many different complications. The patient was on a ventilator and had a silo in his The patient was on a ventilator and had a silo in his stomach. He was having trouble getting rid of fluids so he stomach. He was having trouble getting rid of fluids so he was very swollen. There was another baby who had a brain was very swollen. There was another baby who had a brain injury and was on a ventilator as well. On the second day I injury and was on a ventilator as well. On the second day I was with the same nurse who had the same patient. He was was with the same nurse who had the same patient. He was still very swollen and on the ventilator. His condition was still very swollen and on the ventilator. His condition was the same as the previous day. There was another patient the same as the previous day. There was another patient who had recently had surgery and was having trouble who had recently had surgery and was having trouble waking up. She had Prader Willi disease which is a rare waking up. She had Prader Willi disease which is a rare genetic disease which causes stunted growth and an genetic disease which causes stunted growth and an obsession with food, a feeling of never being full. The nurse obsession with food, a feeling of never being full. The nurse gave me an article to read and it suggested to care for the gave me an article to read and it suggested to care for the patients to put locks on cabinets and refrigerator in order to patients to put locks on cabinets and refrigerator in order to keep someone from eating themselves to death. I found this keep someone from eating themselves to death. I found this disease very interesting. I really enjoyed my time in peds disease very interesting. I really enjoyed my time in peds and I learned a lot, it has probably been my favorite unit. and I learned a lot, it has probably been my favorite unit.

SurgerySurgery For week 12 of rotations I was placed in the OR. I was For week 12 of rotations I was placed in the OR. I was

nervous and excited about this rotation and I am really nervous and excited about this rotation and I am really glad I got to make a visit there. On the first day I glad I got to make a visit there. On the first day I watched a resident scrape some dead tissue off of a watched a resident scrape some dead tissue off of a wound and place a wound vac on the wound. wound and place a wound vac on the wound. Everything went smoothly but the pateint was woken Everything went smoothly but the pateint was woken up a little too soon and pulled part of the bandage off of up a little too soon and pulled part of the bandage off of her leg. It was quickly fixed and the surgery ended her leg. It was quickly fixed and the surgery ended well. There was also a finger amputation that day but well. There was also a finger amputation that day but unfortunatly I ran out of time and couldn't watch it.unfortunatly I ran out of time and couldn't watch it.

On the second day I got to watch the doctor, resident, On the second day I got to watch the doctor, resident, and two nurses take out an abdominal mass. I was able and two nurses take out an abdominal mass. I was able to watch the surgery from the start. The mass was to watch the surgery from the start. The mass was quite large the resident said it was cantaloupe to small quite large the resident said it was cantaloupe to small pumpkin size. It was a really cool surgery to watch all pumpkin size. It was a really cool surgery to watch all of the nurses were very nice and informative. of the nurses were very nice and informative. I thoroughly enjoied my time in the OR.I thoroughly enjoied my time in the OR.

Emergency RoomEmergency Room For week 14 of rotations I was in the ER. The first day I For week 14 of rotations I was in the ER. The first day I

was in Triage where a nurse would weigh a patient and was in Triage where a nurse would weigh a patient and then survery them. She would ask them why they were then survery them. She would ask them why they were there, what medications they were on, and many other there, what medications they were on, and many other questions to obtain a brief medical history. The nurse questions to obtain a brief medical history. The nurse saw some psych cases being evaluated for the Good saw some psych cases being evaluated for the Good Shepherd program. Many patients were experienceing Shepherd program. Many patients were experienceing pain or dizzy spells and needed care for those symptoms.pain or dizzy spells and needed care for those symptoms.

On the second day I was following a nurse. We ran some On the second day I was following a nurse. We ran some blood on a man going through detox. Instead of sending blood on a man going through detox. Instead of sending the blood to the lab they can test it in the ER in about the blood to the lab they can test it in the ER in about two minutes. The nurse discharged two of the patients two minutes. The nurse discharged two of the patients and transferred a small child who had pulled her IV out and transferred a small child who had pulled her IV out twice earlier in the day. I liked my rotation in the ER, twice earlier in the day. I liked my rotation in the ER, overall. It was fast paced and there was overall. It was fast paced and there was always something new going on. All the staff there always something new going on. All the staff there was nice and I learned a lot. was nice and I learned a lot. 

Rehab ServicesRehab Services For week 15 of rotations I was in Rehab Services. On the first day is For week 15 of rotations I was in Rehab Services. On the first day is

was with an occupational therapist who specialized in working with was with an occupational therapist who specialized in working with hands. His first patient was a burn victim who was in an automobile hands. His first patient was a burn victim who was in an automobile accident. She had burns over her scalp, chest, arms and one of her accident. She had burns over her scalp, chest, arms and one of her hands. He spent time streching her and did some massage on her hands. He spent time streching her and did some massage on her face to help reduce scar tissue. His second patient was a woman face to help reduce scar tissue. His second patient was a woman who broke the fourth finger in her left hand. She had surgery a who broke the fourth finger in her left hand. She had surgery a week ago and was getting a splint. She broke her finger doing week ago and was getting a splint. She broke her finger doing combat training for the army. The therapist molded the splint to fit combat training for the army. The therapist molded the splint to fit her arm and did some slight streching on her fingers.her arm and did some slight streching on her fingers.

The second day I was with the same therapist. His patient this day The second day I was with the same therapist. His patient this day had a hand, arm, and shoulder injury. He had a printing press injury had a hand, arm, and shoulder injury. He had a printing press injury and his entire arm had been stuck between rollers that were less and his entire arm had been stuck between rollers that were less then a centimeter apart for 45 minutes. He had some pressure then a centimeter apart for 45 minutes. He had some pressure therapy and streching done to his hand and shoulder. I then was therapy and streching done to his hand and shoulder. I then was with a pediatric occupational therapist who was doing an evaluation with a pediatric occupational therapist who was doing an evaluation on an eight month old baby who had a brain injury because of on an eight month old baby who had a brain injury because of abuse. I had seen this baby in the PICU so it was really cool to be abuse. I had seen this baby in the PICU so it was really cool to be able to see him again. He was doing much better then the condition able to see him again. He was doing much better then the condition he was in while in the PICU. He was now bottle feeding which is a he was in while in the PICU. He was now bottle feeding which is a big improvement. I really enjoied my time in Rehab. It was great to big improvement. I really enjoied my time in Rehab. It was great to be able to see the little boy again.be able to see the little boy again.

Thank You Letters After each week of rotations we After each week of rotations we

sent a thank you note to sent a thank you note to someone that we shadowed in someone that we shadowed in the unit.the unit.

We made cards by hand as well We made cards by hand as well as professional typed letters.as professional typed letters.

PICU

Rehab Services

7 SE

General Surgery

MICU/CICU St. Joseph Campus

Professional Thank You Letters

Respiratory Care

NCCU

Surgery

4 SE

ER St. Joseph Campus

Burn Unit

Mentor Forms

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Respiratory Care

Emergency Room

St. Joseph Campus

Rehabilitation Services

Cover Letter

Career ListCareer List One of the assignments was to One of the assignments was to

research five careers that we were research five careers that we were interested in. interested in.

The five that I researched are as The five that I researched are as follows:follows:

1.1. Radiologic TechnologistRadiologic Technologist2.2. Certified Nursing AssistantCertified Nursing Assistant3.3. Speech-language pathologistSpeech-language pathologist4.4. Physical TherapistPhysical Therapist5.5. Occupational TherapistOccupational Therapist

Resume

References

Career BrainstormingCareer Brainstorming Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging Radiologic technologists perform diagnostic imaging

examination using imaging modalities such as examination using imaging modalities such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and mammography. This career interests me because and mammography. This career interests me because it deals more with diagnostics and it will be constantly it deals more with diagnostics and it will be constantly in demand. Programs provide both classroom and in demand. Programs provide both classroom and clinical instruction in anatomy and physiology, patient clinical instruction in anatomy and physiology, patient care procedures, radiation physics, radiation care procedures, radiation physics, radiation protection, principles of imaging, medical protection, principles of imaging, medical terminology, positioning of patients, medical ethics, terminology, positioning of patients, medical ethics, radiobiology, and pathology. Formal training radiobiology, and pathology. Formal training programs in radiography are offered in hospitals or programs in radiography are offered in hospitals or colleges and universities and lead to a certificate, an colleges and universities and lead to a certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor's degree. Working in a associate degree, or a bachelor's degree. Working in a hospital or a diagnostic imaging center could help hospital or a diagnostic imaging center could help provide experience. provide experience.

Certified Nursing Assistant Certified Nursing Assistant

Career Brainstorming Career Brainstorming ContinuedContinued

Speech - language pathologists assess, diagnose, treat, and help to Speech - language pathologists assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent disorders related to speech, language, cognitive-communication, prevent disorders related to speech, language, cognitive-communication, voice, swallowing, and fluency. Speech-language pathology courses cover voice, swallowing, and fluency. Speech-language pathology courses cover anatomy, physiology, and the development of the areas of the body anatomy, physiology, and the development of the areas of the body involved in speech, language, and swallowing; the nature of disorders; involved in speech, language, and swallowing; the nature of disorders; principles of acoustics; and psychological aspects of communication. principles of acoustics; and psychological aspects of communication. . . Most speech-language pathologist jobs require a master's degree. This is Most speech-language pathologist jobs require a master's degree. This is a field that interests me because it provides a way to directly help a field that interests me because it provides a way to directly help someone with a problem as well as being an in demand profession. someone with a problem as well as being an in demand profession. Working in a school or at a hospital may provide some experience with Working in a school or at a hospital may provide some experience with this field. this field.

Physical therapists are healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat Physical therapists are healthcare professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who have individuals of all ages, from newborns to the very oldest, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions, illnesses, or injuries medical problems or other health-related conditions, illnesses, or injuries that limits their abilities to move and perform functional activities as well that limits their abilities to move and perform functional activities as well as they would like in their daily lives. Physical therapists examine each as they would like in their daily lives. Physical therapists examine each individual and develop a plan using treatment techniques to promote the individual and develop a plan using treatment techniques to promote the ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. This ability to move, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. This field is interesting to me because it provides a hands on approach and field is interesting to me because it provides a hands on approach and allows for one on one time to provide assistance to a patient. Physical allows for one on one time to provide assistance to a patient. Physical therapist education programs include foundational science courses, such therapist education programs include foundational science courses, such as biology, anatomy, physiology, cellular histology, exercise physiology, as biology, anatomy, physiology, cellular histology, exercise physiology, neuroscience, biomechanics, pharmacology, pathology, and neuroscience, biomechanics, pharmacology, pathology, and radiology/imaging, as well as behavioral science courses, such as radiology/imaging, as well as behavioral science courses, such as evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning. Currently, only graduate evidence-based practice and clinical reasoning. Currently, only graduate degree physical therapist programs are accredited. Working in a hospital degree physical therapist programs are accredited. Working in a hospital or healthcare facility could provide some experience. or healthcare facility could provide some experience.

Occupational TherapistOccupational Therapist

Hand Washing and Hand Washing and Hygiene PresentationsHygiene Presentations

We were placed and groups of five We were placed and groups of five and were asked to prepare a and were asked to prepare a presentation to teach grade school presentation to teach grade school children the importance of washing children the importance of washing hands and brushing teeth.hands and brushing teeth.

Included in the presentation was a Included in the presentation was a skit, song, visual aid, and a glow box skit, song, visual aid, and a glow box to show the children their “germs.” to show the children their “germs.”

Hand Washing and Hand Washing and Hygiene Presentations Hygiene Presentations

ContinuedContinued At the elementary schools we taught At the elementary schools we taught

the children how to properly wash the children how to properly wash their hands and brush their teeth.their hands and brush their teeth.

At the end of our presentations we At the end of our presentations we were able to give out toothbrushes were able to give out toothbrushes and bars of soap for the children to and bars of soap for the children to take home.take home.

Career Discovery ClassCareer Discovery Class At Newman University we took a At Newman University we took a

class called Career Discovery with class called Career Discovery with Dr. Singh.Dr. Singh.

Every week he brought in a speaker Every week he brought in a speaker who had a career in the healthcare who had a career in the healthcare field.field.

They shared with us all the aspects They shared with us all the aspects of their job and aided us in our of their job and aided us in our career choice.career choice.

Veterinary MedicineVeterinary Medicine

Dr. Greg Reichenberger came and gave Dr. Greg Reichenberger came and gave us a lecture about being a vet.us a lecture about being a vet.

He told us that he had always known he He told us that he had always known he wanted to be vet from the time he was a wanted to be vet from the time he was a small child.small child.

I think that being a vet is a great I think that being a vet is a great profession but I don’t think I want to go profession but I don’t think I want to go to school for that long. Also, I’m not sure to school for that long. Also, I’m not sure if I have the patience to work with if I have the patience to work with animals.animals.

Radiology LectureRadiology Lecture

A Newman professor came and A Newman professor came and talked to us about the radiologic talked to us about the radiologic technologist program at Newman.technologist program at Newman.

He showed us many x rays, CT He showed us many x rays, CT scans, MRIs, and sonograms and we scans, MRIs, and sonograms and we were able to guess what they were.were able to guess what they were.

This profession does interest me. I This profession does interest me. I think it is cool to be able to see think it is cool to be able to see inside the body in a non invasive inside the body in a non invasive way.way.

DentistryDentistry

Dr. Mark Trolio came and talked to us Dr. Mark Trolio came and talked to us about the life of a dentist.about the life of a dentist.

He was a very honest man and told it He was a very honest man and told it how it is.how it is.

He told us how dentistry can affect He told us how dentistry can affect your relationships and future.your relationships and future.

I do not think dentistry is the field for I do not think dentistry is the field for me. Teeth just don’t make me happy.me. Teeth just don’t make me happy.

Family PracticeFamily Practice

Dr. Crook talked to us about having a Dr. Crook talked to us about having a family practice.family practice.

She was a very inspiring woman and She was a very inspiring woman and has quite an accomplished life.has quite an accomplished life.

She is an all NFP doctor and a great She is an all NFP doctor and a great example of how to be a Catholic example of how to be a Catholic woman.woman.

Family practice would be an interesting Family practice would be an interesting field to go into. You have to know a field to go into. You have to know a large amount of information because of large amount of information because of the range of patients you encounter.the range of patients you encounter.

Respiratory TherapistRespiratory Therapist

Mrs. Trumpp gave us a presentation Mrs. Trumpp gave us a presentation on Respiratory Therapy.on Respiratory Therapy.

Respiratory therapists deal with a Respiratory therapists deal with a mide range of patients from infants mide range of patients from infants to the elderly.to the elderly.

At the end of the lecture were able At the end of the lecture were able to intubate a “patient.” It was neat to intubate a “patient.” It was neat to be able to put all that we had just to be able to put all that we had just learned about into practice.learned about into practice.

Final ReflectionFinal Reflection

Health Academy has been such a Health Academy has been such a beneficial experience. It has aided beneficial experience. It has aided me so much in my career decision.me so much in my career decision.

I feel so blessed that I was able to I feel so blessed that I was able to experience all of the wonderful experience all of the wonderful things that this program has to offer.things that this program has to offer.