Victor Valley College
The Journal
The Nursing School and Allied Health Newsletter
Spring 2015 Volume 5, Issue No. 11
Article By:
Rosa Edith Nolazco-Jauregui
SLEEP IN NURSING SCHOOL???
Article By: Eva Marie Short
CNSA CONVENTION
The 63rd Annual National Student Nurses Association
(NSNA) Convention took place April 8-12 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Each year, NSNA holds an annual convention which hosts
nursing students, faculty, and nursing professionals from across
the nation. NP3 Cabinet-elect members and CNSA faculty advisors Alice Ramming and Barbara Eichen attended the conference. Experts in various field delivered exciting informative
speeches on leadership, ethics, and changes in health care. A
highlight of the conference was the “Dream Room” which provided informative sessions on interviewing, resume development, networking, and information on nursing specialties. Universities presented a wide variety of education programs tailored for individual needs and goals. The importance of advanced continuing education is vital to maintain competiveness
in the nursing field. Among the exhibitors were Elsevier, Hurst
Review, nursing organizations, and hospital recruiters giving
away lots of free goodies. The opportunity to attend this wonderful educational trip was priceless. CNSA members would
like to thank everyone who made this trip possible.
Getting enough sleep can be difficult due to everyday stress and
obligations that seem to pull us in a million directions most
days, combined with the stress of nursing school, it’s a wonder
we get any sleep at all. According to the Center for Disease
Control 35% of Americans report getting less than seven hours
of sleep during a typical 24 hour period. Chronic short sleep
periods increase our risk for heart disease, diabetes, obesity
and hypertension. While getting the recommended 7 or more
hours of sleep each night may seem like an impossible task
right now, every little bit counts. According to the American
Psychological Association getting an extra 60 to 90 minutes of
extra sleep with help you be happier, healthier and safer. With
that in mind here are some sleep hygiene tips from the National
Sleep Foundation that can help you and your patients get a better nights sleep.
Tip 1: Stick to a sleep schedule, getting up and going to bed at
the same time everyday will help keep your circadian rhythm
regular. If going a whole hour or two earlier seems like too
much all at once, try going to bed 15 minutes earlier at a time
until you can get to your target bedtime.
Tip 2: Practice a relaxing bedtime ritual. This will help you to
unwind and signal to your body that it’s time for bed. Electronic devices are not recommended however, because the kind of
light they emit can actually make it more difficult to fall asleep.
Tip 3: Exercise daily, vigorous is best, but any exercise is better
than none at all. Try not to exercise within two hours of bedtime however, because this may actually be stimulating and
make falling asleep harder.
Left to Right: Faculty Barbara Eichen, Courtney Mc Burney,
Briana Lee Royer, Jamie Suarez, Rosa Edith Nolazco-Jauregui,
Lauren Maldonado, Faculty Alice Ramming
Nursing & Allied Health
Tip 4: Evaluate your room and bed. Design a space that promotes sleep in your bedroom. Your mattress and pillows should
be comfortable and supportive. Your room should be cool, ideally between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit, lights should be
turned off and noise minimized or, depending on preference, try
a white noise machine. Blackout curtains, eye shades, humidifiers, fans and ear plugs may be helpful in eliminating obstacles
in getting to sleep.
Victor Valley College 18422 Bear Valley Road, Victorville, CA 92395
ph: (760)245-4271 fax:(760) 951-5861
The Journal Victor Valley College
SPRING 2015 Page 2
HOSPICE VOLUNTEER
Article By:
Rosa Edith Nolazco-Jauregi
Nursing students are going into a profession driven by compassion, caring, and altruism. The personal qualities we share
make us excellent candidates for making a positive impact in our communities. As nursing students it seems we are constantly on the
go. However, a couple of hours of your time can make a big impact in someone’s day. As we start our summer break, see if you can
spare some free time to help others.
Have you ever thought about becoming a hospice volunteer, making a difference in someone’s life by helping them in their
final stage of life? Over 400,000 trained volunteers provide more than 19 million hours of service each year. Get to really know and
spend quality time with patients and their loved ones. There are many ways you can help: sharing stories, providing emotional support, making crafts, clerical support etc. You can choose how little or how much you feel comfortable doing. Be a part of it, witness
acts of unwavering love, support, and strength that will renew your spirit. Be prepared to be amazed by the personal rewards you
receive when you give of your time and talents. Take the opportunity to create memories you will treasure forever.
To unleash your giving potential and learn more:
Contact Adrienne Cason,
Volunteer Coordinator
Community Hospice of Victor Valley
(760)946-4730 ext 8018 or e-mail acason@vnasocal.org
Or log on to find opportunities at:
caringinfo.org
volunteermatch.org
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
SPRING 2015 Page 3
Palliative Care vs. Hospice
Article By: Lori Sherrie Gutierrez
Palliative care is a multidisciplinary team approach that assists in the day to day care. Symptom management of a disease
or the side effects of its treatment are also part of the palliative care focus. It also provides support services for family. You may say
this sounds similar to hospice. Palliative care has some similarities as hospice. Palliative care has some similarities as hospice but
contrasting them may provide a better clarification about this useful discipline. Both Hospice and Palliative Care goals are to
improve the quality of life a patient has. What can differ is where the care is given. When it can be used? What treatments can be
provided?
Where:
Hospice is most commonly provided in the home of the client or in a skilled nursing facility.
Palliative care is provided in the acute care setting. Doctors, nurses, and multi-disciplines are used to help the client and family.
When:
Hospice can be provided when the primary care physician agrees the client’s disease could result in death within 6 months if
the disease progression is predictable.
Palliative care is very different. It can be referred to a client in any stage of the disease process. It can be used even if the disease is not terminal.
What:
Hospice can provide pain and symptom management but normally, the client must stop aggressive treatment for their diagnosed disease.
Palliative care can help treat the side effects of the treatments the client is receiving. In palliative care the client does not have
to stop aggressively pursuing treatment for their disease to receive care either. The disease can be terminal or chronic in
nature.
SAVE THE DATE
NURSING ALUMNI REUNION
IN THE NEW HEALTH & SCIENCES BUILDING
THURSDAY AUGUST 27TH, 2015
5:30PM TO 8:30PM
Nursing & Allied Health
Victor Valley College 18422 Bear Valley Road, Victorville, CA 92395
ph: (760)245-4271 fax:(760) 951-5861
SPRING 2015 Page 4
The Journal Victor Valley College
DISASTER DRILL
On April 30, 2015 the NP3 nursing students took part in VVC’s multi disciplinary drill at the Victor Valley College
District Training Center in Apple Valley. The annual drill included students from nursing, EMT, law enforcement,
and paramedic departments to simulate emergency preparedness in a variety of situations. The day long event
provided an opportunity to practice triaging and treating patients with burns, stabbings, emergency childbirth, head
trauma, and gunshot wounds. Faculty Alice Ramming and Tiana Gray guided the students through different
scenarios to assess nursing student’s ability to think in an emergency situation where time is critical. Nursing students
received report from paramedics and began treatment on victims in simulated hospital emergency rooms. The students
had the opportunity to observe high fidelity mannequins used for the obstetric emergencies such as the post-partum
hemorrhage and complicated childbirth. They were a wonderful teaching tool due to their ability to be programmed to
respond to physiological changes immediately.
Article By:
Rosa Edith Nolazco-Jauregui
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
Nursing & Allied Health
Victor Valley College 18422 Bear Valley Road, Victorville, CA 92395
SPRING 2015 Page 5
ph: (760)245-4271 fax:(760) 951-5861
Nursing & Allied Health
Victor Valley College 18422 Bear Valley Road, Victorville, CA 92395
ph: (760)245-4271 fax:(760) 951-5861
Nursing & Allied Health
Victor Valley College 18422 Bear Valley Road, Victorville, CA 92395
ph: (760)245-4271 fax:(760) 951-5861
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
SPRING 2015 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 x2285.
Nursing & Allied Health
Victor Valley College 18422 Bear Valley Road, Victorville, CA 92395
ph: (760)245-4271 fax:(760) 951-5861
SPRING 2015 Page 7
The Journal Victor Valley College
Acknowledgments
Director:
Dr. Joseph Morris, CNS, GNP, PhD
Supervising Instructor:
Prof. Sally Thibeault, RN
Editor:
Rosa Edith Nolazco-Jauregui Np3
Special Thanks to:
Dr. Joseph Morris– For your encouragement and continued support.
Prof. Sally Thibeault– Your words of encouragement and support for all our efforts!
NP4 class of Spring 2015– Congratulations Spring Class of 2015!!!
Story Writers:
Eva Marie Short SN Np3
Lori Sherrie Gutierrez SN Np4
Nursing & Allied Health
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