Victor Valley College
The Journal
The Nursing School and Allied Health Newsletter
September 2014 Volume 5 No. 1
Article By:
Dawna Scott
Welcome Back! We are
excited to begin this
new semester!! We
hope that everyone enjoyed their summer
break and are ready to
(as Lisa Crouch always
says) embrace the academic burn! As we
begin a new semester
we also would like to
look back at some of the
wonderful things that
happened last semester.
We would like to congratulate the graduating
class of RN’s for Spring
2014!! There were thirty
nine graduates last semester and the ceremo-
Welcome Back!! Fall 2014
ny was beautiful! We
know that this group of
grads will also excel as
they go on to take their
NCLEX. There have
already been reports of
passing the NCLEX
from a couple of these
graduates!!
VVC Top 5%
Every nurse remembers
the big day when the
they took their “board
exam”, or the NCLEX.
Sometimes there was
another question, such
as “How many questions?.” Older nurses
may have been asked
what percent they
earned in one of the six
exams that everyone
took. But for everyone
there was only one
question that mattered –
did you pass?
From the point of view
as a nursing program,
Nursing & Allied Health
Victor Valley College 18422 Bear Valley Road, Victorville, CA 92395
the question is often
what percentage of the
people from your school
who are taking the
NCLEX for the first
time passed. The VVC
nursing program wants
to stay above 85% at
minimum, and preferably above 90%. That
has been accomplished
for the last several semesters.
Lately there has been
talk about the VVC
nursing program being
in the top 5% of all the
nursing programs in the
country. How is that
calculated, since the
schools receive only a
list of the names of the
students who passed,
and those who don’t? It
is done statistically, and
then published.
The first part of the process is the most complex. It puts all the
scores on a standard, so
ph: (760)245-4271 fax:(760) 951-5861
The Journal Victor Valley College
that they can be compared. A candidate can
pass at 75 questions, or
at 265 questions. The
candidate who passes at
75 questions is probably
better prepared than the
candidate who needs
265 questions to pass.
Next the statistical manipulations consider difficulty of individual
questions taken by each
candidate, and then reported as groups representing each school.
Next the schools are
ranked from highest to
lowest.
The final reports are
published comparing
groups of schools. One
reports all the programs
in our state. For the
most recent report VVC
ranked 15 out of 135
schools, or in the top
11%. The second report
compares all associate
degree programs in the
country. VVC ranked
65 out of 1188 associate
degree programs, which
is in the top 5%. The
last report includes all
of the registered nursing
programs in all the
states. VVC ranked 105
out of 1985 schools.
That is in the top 5% of
all the registered nurs-
out of 1985 schools.
That is in the top 5% of
all the registered nursing programs in the
country!
There are many people
who contribute to this
success. First are all the
students. They are the
ones who studied,
passed nursing school
and then passed the
NCLEX. Right behind
the students are the faculty and staff, who
guide the educational
progress and provide
support. We should not
forget the alumni and
the nurses at our clinical
facilities who provide
hands on learning in the
real world. We are an
excellent program, and
we plan to continue our
record of excellence.
Article By: Diane Cline
Fall 2014 Page 2
Charity Challenge
*Attention all 246 and
process nursing students: We all have an
opportunity this semester to give back to our
community in an easy,
but huge way. This Fall,
CNSA challenges us all
to bring one canned
food every time we
come on campus to be
donated to our in-need
community members.
All contributions will be
donated to the Victor
Valley Rescue Mission.
Cans will be collected
in containers placed in
each lecture room, including the lab. CNSA
President Lori Sherrie
Wells-Guttierrez welcomes students to ac-
company her on the day
of deliverance of all our
donations to see how
much we have truly
helped our community.
In addition to our generous charity, Cardenas
Market has made a kind
donation to us This is a
fantastic way to assist
our struggling community members and make
the public aware of
what the Victor Valley
College Nursing Program is all about! Please
take part in this awesome charity every time
you come to campus to
help provide relief to
our disadvantaged population of the High Desert. By: A lexa Libby
Test Your Knowledge (Questions from KAPLAN Nursing QBank)
The nurse reviews discharge instructions with the client recently diagnosed with a myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease (CAD). Which statement BEST indicates to the nurse that the client understands the disease process?
A) “I’ll probably have CAD because my father dies of a heart attack.”
B) “My heart muscle did not get enough oxygen which resulted in the pain I experienced.”
C) “I will have to be on medication for the rest of my life.”
D) “Since my diet will have to change, I’m glad I like salads with salad dressing.”
Nursing & Allied Health
Victor Valley College 18422 Bear Valley Road, Victorville, CA 92395
ph: (760)245-4271 fax:(760) 951-5861
The Journal Victor Valley College
FALL 2014 Page 3
Article By:
Dawna Scott
RN Externs
There are two hospitals
that work with the Victor Valley College
Nursing Program to provide an externship for
current students involved in the Nursing
Program. Desert Valley
Hospital and the
Barstow Community
Hospital begin hiring
RN externs after they
complete nursing process two. I had an opportunity to talk to one
of the RN externs currently working at Desert
Valley Hospital, Monica
Vasquez. Here is a short
Q&A
How many VVC RN
Externs are there currently at Desert Valley
Hospital? Ther e’s
around 12 working in
different areas of the
hospital: ICU, L&D,
ER, Med/Surg and surgery.
Monica Vasquez NP 4
What was the process
to become an Extern?
I filled out an application and resume, applying online. I was
called in for a panel
interview. At the interview, punctuation and
appearance are very
important. After hired
there is a drug screening and extensive
physical. The position
of an RN externs have
recently become highly
competitive, there were
46 applicants, 20 interviewed and only 8
hired for the summer.
VVC does require you
to be enrolled in a CO-OP checklist before
Ed class, where you need the pt goes into surgery.
to turn in your time card
and do some extra work
such as a portfolio and
Would you recomresearch paper.
mend other student
nurses take advantage
How was your first day? of this opportunity to
I work in surgery and I’m work as an RN Exthe first RN extern to
tern? Absolutely! It
work in the surgery dewill benefit you and
partment. It was kind of
give you confidence. I
challenging because I did- feel that I’ve been able
n’t know what to expect. I to keep up my nursing
was very nervous but I
skills while learning
just worked hard as I
even more than in clinicould and tried to catch
cal alone. Things that
on as fast as possible. The are more specific to the
start were really good
hospital that I’m workabout telling me what
ing at. I feel that those
needed to be done to prep of us who are externs
each patient for surgery.
won’t feel as nervous
about working as a
I’ve heard that a day as nurse after we graduate.
an RN Extern is like a
It’s only a benefit to you
regular clinical day, do
as you are in nursing
you agree? No you get
school.
more out of an extern day
than in clinical. I work
hard doing all the Pre-Op
Where are they now?
Jennifer Vitha VVC School of Nursing Class of 2011
Jennifer got her first nursing job at Barstow Community Hospital working the night shift on the medicalsurgical/telemetry floor. She worked at Barstow for almost two years, before transferring to the telemetry
floor at St. Mary's. Jennifer says that, "the college has a good program that prepared me well for nursing
practice. We have great instructors like Sally and Renate who were always very patient, encouraging, and
knowledgeable." Jennifer received the obstetrics clinical award at graduation and would like to work in labor
and delivery someday.
Article By Shawna Simpson
Nursing & Allied Health
Victor Valley College 18422 Bear Valley Road, Victorville, CA 92395
ph: (760)245-4271 fax:(760) 951-5861
FALL 2014 Page 4
The Journal Victor Valley College
2014 CNSA Convention
Article By: Dawna Scott
We are so excited that the CNSA Convention is in Pomona, CA this year!! The Convention will be October 17-19 at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel in Pomona. Attending this convention will provide you limitless
opportunities available in the nursing profession. There will be keynote speakers that will inspire you and
breakout sessions offering a wide variety of topics to enhance your success and professional growth.
Please take advantage this incredible opportunity of build your skills and obtain tools to enable you to secure your first job as an RN. You can register online at www.cnsa.org there are registration fees posted on
their site. This opportunity is open for CNSA members and non-members as well. Make sure you sign up
on our interest list as soon as possible if you are thinking of attending.
WHY SHOULD I
JOIN CNSA?
CNSA embodies the
spirit of nursing. The
culture of nursing is
changing. Future employers are looking for
more than just academics. Hospitals are looking for the total package. Hospitals are
changing to a more customer service driven
environment, they are
looking for nurses who
are willing to the extra
mile.
CNSA gives you a
chance to develop your
soft skills. The core values of CNSA focus on
leadership and advocacy.
There are many bebnfits
to being a part of a professional organization
like CNSA. These organizations give nursing
students the opportunity
Nursing & Allied Health
to develop and demonstrate leadership skills
while impacting their
communities in many
positive ways. By attending CNSA meetings
and conferences, students are able to network with other nursing
students and faculty
from around the country, as well as with their
representatives from
potential employers and
graduate schools. Other
benefits of joining
NSNA include:





Career planning
Discounts on
NCLEX-RN review
courses and study
guides.
Reduced rates at
Barnes & Noble.com
Discounted Malpractice insurance
Free subscription to
the Imprint magazine sub

Eligibility to thousands of dollars in
scholarships
CAN I HANDLE MY
ACEDEMIC WORKLOAD & CNSA?
Academics will always
come first. Please know
you can participate as
much or as little as you
feel you can handle.
CNSA operates as a
team effort and we all
support each other. By
participating in community service efforts you
remind yourself of why
you chose this career
path. Come to our bimonthly meetings and
check it out. Networking with upper classmen
and other nursing students can help you learn
to manage your time
better and create a support system. Mentoring
is a big part of CNSA,
Victor Valley College 18422 Bear Valley Road, Victorville, CA 92395
consider joining our
CUBS program where
an upper classmen can
help you beyond the
scope of school.
HOW DO I PAY MY
DUES TO NSNA?
Visit
www.nsnamembership.
org follow instructions
there (The link is also
on the VVC CNSA Facebook page). Once
you’ve paid your dues,
there is no need to contact us about it. NSNA
will inform us of your
membership application
and you will be recognized as a member.
You do not need to be a
member to participate in
CNSA events. You’re
always welcome.
Article By: Lori Sherrie
Gutierrez
ph: (760)245-4271 fax:(760) 951-5861
The Journal Victor Valley College
Article By: Lori
Sherrie Gutierrez
Injuries sustained during violent crimes and
accidents happen frequently. When they do
happen, most patients
will be transported to
their local emergency
room to be cared for.
Patients may be transported via ambulance
and others may require
transportation via helicopter to a trauma center. These patients need
emergent specialized
care or they will succumb to their injuries.
Waiting and ready at the
trauma center will be a
team of elite, specialty
trained nurses; trauma
nurses.
Arrowhead Regional
Medical Center in Colton, California is the
closest trauma center to
our high desert region.
This facility receives a
vast array of trauma
cases that range from
motor vehicle accidents,
stabbings and gun shot
victims, and motorcycle
accidents.
Trauma nurses normally
receive a patient who is
unconscious, unable to
provide important information pertinent to their
care. The team performs
their roles as rehearsed.
Maintain a patent airway; Insertion of Multiple IV’s; Administration
of blood; Searching a
person’s wallet and
Nursing & Allied Health
FALL 2014 Page 5
Trauma Nursing
UPCOMING
CALENDAR
EVENTS
finding clues about who
they are important to
finding clues, contacting
next of kin and possible
medications; and documenting the overall process. Close assessment
is needed to decipher
the needs of the patient
and if the interventions
performed are essential.
Trauma Nurses need to
possess certain attributes. One of the most
important skills is the
ability to work long
hours in a physically
and mentally demanding atmosphere. Dan
Alexander, a trauma
nurse at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center
and VVC alumni states”
A trauma nurse should
demonstrate; the ability
to be assertive while
still working as a team;
the ability to rapidly
assess a situation while
implementing interventions and anticipating
your next intervention if
the current one does not
work.” Dan Alexander
also states, “As a trauma
nurse you will need to
be accustomed to seeing
horrific injuries and not
be deterred by them,
and be able to work in a
systematic manner”
Johnson & Johnson’s
discover nursing website outlines the educational path as follows.
In order to become a
trauma nurse you will
need to earn your ASN
or BSN and earn your
licensure. You will need
to work within an emergency room for a minimum of two years. You
can then obtain your
Emergency Nursing
Certification then take
your Trauma Nursing
Core Course (TNCC)
from the Emergency
Nurses Association
(ENA). After you are
certified, recertification
and continuing education credits will need to
be obtained every few
years.
For more information on
trauma nursing visit https://
www.discovernursing.com/
specialty/trauma-nurse
Victor Valley College 18422 Bear Valley Road, Victorville, CA 92395
SEPTEMBER:
Bi-monthly meetings:
Sept. 10th @
12:30-1:30pm Room 6
Sept. 24th @
12:30-1:30pm
Room 6
Sept. 11th @7am: Meet
in front of the library for
the displaying of the
flags in remembrance of
all the lives lost on 9/11
WORKSHOP:
“Moving Forward”
Sept. 17th @
6:00-8:00pm
Room 5
OCTOBER:
Bi-monthly meetings
Oct. 8th @
12:30-1:30pm
Room 6
Oct. 22nd @
12:30-1:30pm
Room 6
WORKSHOP
“Professional
Preparation”
Oct. 15th @ 6:008:00pm
ph: (760)245-4271 fax:(760) 951-5861
The Journal Victor Valley College
FALL 2014 Page 6
We would like to thank High Desert Alarm for their donation towards a scholarship for a VVC Nursing student!!
The other businesses listed below have given donations to support our CNSA Welcome Back meeting.
If you would like to donate to CNSA and VVC students please contact Nursing Department at 760-245-4271.
Test Your Knowledge
Answer: B – Rationale: the pain the client
experienced resulted from myocardial ischemia
Nursing & Allied Health
Victor Valley College 18422 Bear Valley Road, Victorville, CA 92395
ph: (760)245-4271 fax:(760) 951-5861
FALL 2014 Page 7
The Journal Victor Valley College
Acknowledgments
This section is to thank those that worked hard to help create and promote this newsletter.
Director:
Dr. Joseph Morris, CNS, GNP, PhD
Supervising Instructor:
Prof. Sally Thibeault, RN
Editor:
Dawna Scott SN NP4
Alexa Libby SN NP3
Story Writers:
Diane Cline RN
Lori Sherrie Gutierrez SN Np4
Shawna Simpson VVC Alumni Graduate
Nursing & Allied Health
Special Thanks to:
Dr. Joseph Morris– For your encouragement and continued support.
Prof. Sally Thibeault– Your words of encouragement and guidance.
NP4 class of Fall 2014– Thank you for your continued teamwork as we work toward our end goals!
We’re almost there!!
Laura Katnic– Your are always willing to lend a hand whenever asked and we thank you.
Victor Valley College 18422 Bear Valley Road, Victorville, CA 92395
ph: (760)245-4271 fax:(760) 951-5861