Vital Signs September Issue - School of Nursing - SDSU

WELCOME BACK!
Dear Nursing Students,
AUGUST 2009
Welcome to Academic Year 2009-2010! If you are new to the School of Nursing
then I extend a special welcome to you. I hope all of you had a productive but restful
summer and took some time to have some fun. Many of you took nursing classes
and the School of Nursing was a busy place this summer.
The busy atmosphere was accentuated by the visit of twelve Swiss nursing stu-
Dr. Catherine Todero
dents and two Swiss faculty. Our Swiss visitors engaged in a mixture of academics
and tourist activities. They seemed to particularly enjoy their Community Health clinical experiences, the OB
simulations and their visit to the Imperial Valley campus where the temperatures were around 108-110 degrees.
I want to personally thank the SDSU students who served as ambassadors for the Swiss and made sure
that the beach, shopping, Balboa Park, Old Town, the Padres, bowling and picnics were also on their agendas.
The Swiss students loved SDSU and many talked of returning to attend for Graduate School. Next year
we will have an opportunity to send twelve SDSU Nursing students and two faculty members to Switzerland.
The Swiss government is underwriting part of the expense so out-of-pocket costs for students who are interested
should be VERY reasonable. The details (dates, activities) are not solidified yet. Be on the look out for
more details and the chance to apply for this amazing opportunity.
You have no doubt heard about the budget crisis in the state. The rise in fees for students is a direct result
of the problems. There has been a concerted effort to protect and increase the financial aid available for students
so that truly needy students are not forced to withdraw. Please note that nursing scholarship announcements
are also routinely posted to our web page and be sure to apply by the deadlines. For academic
year 2009-2010 and perhaps beyond, we will be reducing the numbers of students we admit to the program at
the undergraduate level. For Fall 2009 we have admitted 72; down from our previous average numbers of
around 110. This dramatic reduction is due to the decrease in state support.
continued on page 7
Hello, I am Rashida Mentrie-Maurer, your California Nursing
Students’ Association SDSU chapter President for this school
year. Welcome to all of our new students and welcome back to
all continuing students. This year is going to be so exciting!
Dr. Todero is now a board member of the CA Board of Registered
Nursing, we have a new Board of Directors for the SDSU
chapter of CNSA, and new opportunities for personal and professional
growth on the horizon. I would like to invite all of you
to attend our next meeting and join CNSA.
continued on page 7
CNSA Board of Directors
2009-2010

PAGE 2
Have Have Have a a Stellar Stellar Clinical Clinical Experience
Experience
1) Take initiative
If you want to get more out of your clinical experience, chuck fear and turn it into respect. Once
your perspective switches, you are able to go with an eager inquisitiveness. Don’t try to blend into the
wall and claim you didn’t know what to do or how to do it or where to put it. Introduce yourself and
ask questions.
2) Be accountable
You know what you’re supposed to do…so do it. Actively seek situations to enhance your education.
The RNs were once students, so they know that you should tend to hygiene, urinals, I &O, beds,
dirty linen, vital signs, turn patients, walk patients, feed patients, assist with bedpans, blood sugars,
medications, verify medication effectiveness, talk with patients, direct hospital guests and so on. How
is it that so often the nursing students end up standing around?
3) Communicate
Introduce yourself. Find out who the RN is that is responsible for the patient. The RN takes full responsibility
for all that happens with the patients, not the LVN, nor the Patient Care Tech, nor the Certified
Nursing Assistant, nor anyone. In school you learn what is normal and abnormal, and you know
that if something is abnormal then you have to tell the RN as soon as possible. Inform the RN within
five minutes. Don’t forget.
4) Be realistic
“I didn’t take the vital signs because they were sleeping.” If the vital signs aren’t taken, the show
cannot go on. Patients are at the hospital receiving medical services for a serious medical condition
which was warranted life threatening enough to be hospitalized, and you have tons of work to do in a
short period of time to ensure timely and safe treatment to all. This is not easy. Are you going to put
everything on hold and go room to room to room trying to catch the patients when it’s convenient for
them? You are the one in charge.
RNs are there to save lives. RNs have the medical and technical aspect; however, RNs care for the
whole patient. The patient is hospitalized for close monitoring and because they are sick enough to the
point where they cannot take care of themselves, or they wouldn’t be there.

With With Five Five Simple Simple Simple Things Things To To Remember:
Remember:
Some are more able than others, yet no matter where you are, there are the core nursing skills — beds,
toileting, hygiene, feeding, vitals signs, physical activity, medications and so forth. Always be on the
lookout for signs of life-threatening changes in all patients while working about the area.
Try where you can to accommodate and provide choices. We are taught that in nursing school, but
you’ll have to devise other ways of accommodating which do not delay your obligation of quality and safe
medical services.
5) Ignore Nurse Ratched
Understand that, for better or worse, not all RNs that you interact with are equipped to work with students.
Don’t have unrealistic expectations. It’s not personal and they are not a bad person or bad nurse.
Some nurses love teaching but aren’t good teachers. Some nurses hate teaching but are forced into the role
once their facility decides to take students. Some RNs love it and are good at it. Everyone is different.
RNs have a lot of responsibility and are extremely busy. The student has a lot of questions that have to
be answered carefully while not breaking the RN’s concentration or speed; multitasking at its finest. I
know the students think, “But I’m helping the RN.” Students more often than not do slow the RN. Sometimes,
in order to fulfill their obligation to the patients, to themselves and to the employer, teaching may
get bumped. By doing everything that you can to help, you, the RN, the patient, the medical organization,
your school and everyone comes out better off.
When you do run into the infamous Nurse Ratched so aptly attacking her young – ignore them! You
go about your wonderful business and do not let them get to you. You hold your chin up and be the best
nurse that you are. Be the role model of professional behavior. You too will likely be working with students
one day. It’s the timeless age-old saying, “Everything which goes around comes around.” That
Nurse Ratched will fade into disappearance eventually; no longer will Nurse Ratched be tolerated. Who
knows why they’re that way? It’s not up to us to solve. Everyone is responsible for themselves and working
hard to create a pleasant environment, which all nurses, patients, hospital staff and visitors benefit
from. You are the change that you seek.
RNs are happy to see students for a variety of reasons. Here’s a misperception which people like to
joke about: The RN is not trying to maliciously dump grunt work onto the poor, helpless, innocent, slave
student. Snap out of it! A vast majority of students come to clinical having zero hands-on patient care or
having been in a medical environment in their entire lives. The environment is foreign. This is why the
simplest of activities can be the gems of your experience, whether you realize it now or years later in retrospect.
Just being there is key. You are absorbing every detail, both
consciously and subconsciously.
RNs are happy to see the students, because we are all so painfully
aware of the nursing shortage and are thrilled to see you, because it is
reassurance that the pipeline isn’t empty. There are willing, able people
to come work alongside us. Everyone is lifted up.
Take initiative, be positive, be accountable, communicate, seek learning
opportunities, overcome fears, feel respect, prove that you care
and stay realistic and empathetic. You will soon be an RN!
By By By Nicole Nicole R. R. Marcy, Marcy, Marcy, BPH, BPH, BSN, BSN, BSN, RN
RN
SDSD SDSD Alumni
Alumni
ANA ANA Board Board of of of Directors
Directors
MURDER
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF
INCREASED SERUM K
M-Muscle weakness
U-Urine, oliguria, anuria
R-Respiratory distress
D-Decreased cardiac contractility
E-ECG changes
R-Reflexes, hyperflexia, or areflexia(flaccid)
Normal Serum Potassium level is
3.5-5.0 mEq/L
Zerwekh et al.(2006). Mosby’s Fluids & Electrolytes
Memory Note Cards, 31.
PAGE 3

PAGE 4
SWITZERLAND
SWITZERLAND
In this picture are all the Swiss exchange students including Zoe before
going into Petco Park for a Padres game.
Would you like to take a trip to Europe next summer?
We have the opportunity to study nursing abroad for
summer 2010. SDSU SON opened its doors to a new
nursing exchange program with a few universities in
the western region of Switzerland.
What does this mean to us as nursing students? This
new exchange program will make it possible for us, as
nurses, to discover new possibilities within the nursing
profession, to learn how other countries handle
and deal with similar healthcare issues, to broaden our
cultural awareness, and to seek new and exciting experiences.
In July I had the pleasure to meet and mingle with
twelve friendly Swiss nursing students throughout
their one-month stay while they studied here. Several
nursing students and myself planned and chaperoned
many fun activities around San Diego, which included
taking them to a Padres game, Sea World, Balboa
Park, La Jolla- whale watching, kayaking, and Pacific
Beach, to name a few. It was a privilege to make new
friends; they were all open to discussing anything
from their personal lives to nursing life and so willing
to exchange their cultural views and ideas.
I discovered and got to hear firsthand from the
Swiss nursing students about some of the issues
concerning their healthcare system and ours. As one
of the Swiss nursing students, Laura Nydegger, stated,
“Nurses are more well-respected and recognized here
in the U.S. compared to nurses in Switzerland.”
Another Swiss nursing student made the point
that although every Swiss citizen has medical insurance,
the disparity is that the population of
Switzerland is comprised of only 8 million people,
whereas Los Angeles alone has 10 million
people, which provides one key explanation as to
why Switzerland and other similar countries do
not face the same healthcare problems we do. Additionally,
the Swiss students reiterated the point
that a lot of Americans don’t abide by healthy
food portions or engage in regular exercise as
much as the Swiss do, which speaks for the obesity
epidemic that we see here in the U.S.
They were a lively and fun group; I hope each one
of you think about the opportunity of going to
Switzerland next year to study nursing abroad.
Our time spent together was wonderful in addition
to being very enlightening about Swiss nursing;
they taught us a couple of Swiss games and
best of all was how one should greet a friend.
Kiss cheek to cheek three times. Let’s greet and
unite together as nurses. I wish you an exciting,
fulfilling trip to Switzerland. Watch for more
information about
how to apply for the
Swiss exchange opportunity
on the
SON website.
By Zoe Armas
3rd semester

By Sarah Duchoud
Swiss Student
EXCHANGE
EXCHANGE
The Source and HECVS,
two schools of nursing
Swiss students charging the beach getting ready to learn how to hang ten
care in Switzerland, provided
the opportunity for
students to go to California for a month. The summer university took place at the San Diego State University.
Having been able to take part in this trip, I learned about health care in the United States. During this
month of study my colleagues and I had the opportunity to visit a shelter for battered women. We
learned about the education given regarding pregnancy, labor and delivery.
We were able to look at care plans written by students and saw how they handled different illnesses.
The Veterans Administration hospital showed us an aspect of the United States that we as Swiss knew
little about. Switzerland has not participated in as many battles and wars as the United States has, so we
were not aware of the consequences and after effects left on
those soldiers who were involved.
One lesson of our nursing education taught us how the multitude
and affordability of fast food and unhealthy menus
has taken a toll on the health of the American population.
This was evidenced by the film Super Size Me.
A big difference in our schools is that our mannequins are
not state of the art. They are not able to simulate breathing
nor giving birth. At the SDSU simulation lab we were able
to participate in a delivery and observe the nursing responsibilities.
continued on page 12
PAGE 5

PAGE 6
SCHOOL CHOOL OF NURSING URSING DIRECTOR
IRECTOR NAMED AMED TO STATE TATE
NURSING URSING BOARD OARD
Dr. Catherine Todero (center) is sworn in by Gov. Schwarzenegger.
Courtesy: Los Angeles Times
Catherine Todero, Ph.D., director of San Diego
State University’s School of Nursing, is one of six
new members named to the California Board of
Registered Nursing. Todero was sworn in by Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday, July
15.
“Dr. Todero is an excellent nurse educator whose
decades of knowledge and expertise will no doubt
serve the state of California well,” said Marilyn
Newhoff, dean of SDSU’s College of Health and
Human Services.
The Top Ten Ways To Survive the First
Semester of Nursing School
10) Eat healthy
9) Sleep when you can
8) Form study groups
early on
7) Practice skills often
6) Drink coffee
5) Ask for help if you
need it
4) Talk to people who
have already survived
first semester
3) Study
2) Make time for exercise!
1) Do NOT give up!
By Sheridan Gnile
“It is with a great sense of pride that we have someone
of her caliber leading our School of Nursing.”
New Responsibilities
Todero will serve a four-year term as the education
representative on the board of seven, which meets
several times a year in Sacramento.
Good for San Diego
“It is a great personal honor to be selected for the
board, but it is also a very good thing for San
Diego,” said Todero, also a registered nurse.
“It is important to have our region represented at
the state level because some of the issues we deal
with here in San Diego might be slightly different
than those in northern California.”
About the California Board of Registered Nursing
The California Board of Registered Nursing is a
state governmental agency established by law to
protect the public by regulating the practice of registered
nurses. The board is responsible for implementation
and enforcement of the Nursing Practice
Act: the laws related to nursing education, licensure,
practice, and discipline. San Diego State University’s
School of Nursing programs for licensure
are approved by the California Board of Registered
Nursing.
By Gina Jacobs
AMERICA MERICA MERICA MERICA HAS HAS HAS HAS
IN IN IN NURSES URSES URSES
CONFIDENCE
CONFIDENCE
CONFIDENCE
CONFIDENCE IN
PRINCETON
RINCETON
RINCETON --NURSES URSES URSES URSES
RECEIVE RECEIVE RECEIVE RECEIVE TOP TOP TOP TOP PUBLIC PUBLIC PUBLIC PUBLIC
ACCOLADES ACCOLADES
ACCOLADES
ACCOLADES IN IN IN IN GALLOP ALLOP'S ALLOP ALLOP
ANNUAL ANNUAL ANNUAL ANNUAL HONESTY ONESTY ONESTY ONESTY AND AND AND AND
ETHICS THICS THICS THICS OF OF OF OF PROFESSIONS
PROFESSIONS
PROFESSIONS
PROFESSIONS
SURVEY SURVEY SURVEY ASED ASED ASED ON ON ON ON TEN TEN TEN TEN
NOVEMBER
OVEMBER OVEMBER
OVEMBER 2008 USA/
TODAY ODAY ODAY ODAY GALLOP ALLOP ALLOP ALLOP POLL POLL POLL POLL RATING RATING RATING RATING
THE THE THE THE HONESTY HONESTY
HONESTY
HONESTY AND AND AND AND ETHICS ETHICS ETHICS ETHICS OF OF OF OF
DIFFERENT DIFFERENT
DIFFERENT PROFESSIONS
PROFESSIONS
PROFESSIONS
NURSES NURSES NURSES NURSES EARNED EARNED EARNED EARNED THE THE THE THE TOP TOP TOP TOP
RANKING RANKING
RANKING
RANKING FOR FOR FOR FOR THE THE THE THE SEVENTH
SEVENTH
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SEVENTH
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR IN IN IN IN A ROW ROW ROW
-WWW WWW.GALLOP
WWW WWW GALLOP.COM
GALLOP GALLOP COM COM COM
21 21 21
RINCETON,NJ
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2008 2008 2008 USA/ USA/ USA/
URSES.
21 DIFFERENT PROFESSIONS,
ROW.
, , ,

Dr. Todero’s Welcome Letter
continued
The faculty and staff of the campus and the
School of Nursing have not escaped the effects of
this downturn in the economy. We will be observing
furlough days, typically two per month,
throughout the academic year. Some of them are
mandatory dates. This means that the entire campus
will be shut down. There may be dates when
even though the campus is open, the School of
Nursing is closed. You will need to monitor the
webpage for announcements of closures. Faculty
will also inform you of the dates when your classes
or clinicals are affected. Rest assured that we will
try to mitigate the impact of the furloughs on your
learning opportunities, even while honoring the
constraints we are under. Hopefully these challenging
times will bring out the best in all of us
and we will embrace new and innovative ways of
doing things to continue to achieve our traditionally
great outcomes.
Good luck in your studies this year. I wish you
much academic success. Show your leadership
skills by being an involved and active member of
CNSA. This is your school and you should take
pride in it and the achievements of those nursing
alumni who have gone before you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Todero
"Don't "Don't wish wish it it it was was easier; easier;
easier;
wish wish you you were were better. better. Don't
Don't
wish wish for for less less problems;
problems;
wish wish wish for for more more skills. skills. Don't
Don't
wish wish for for less less challenges;
challenges;
wish wish for for more more wisdom." wisdom." wisdom." -
Rashida’s Welcome letter
continued
The opportunities to experience nursing in a
professional organization will give you a leg
up in your career and provide you with contacts
that may assist you throughout your
time as a nurse. The members of CNSA reach
out to the community by teaching students
in local schools about nursing, fundraising
for good causes such as the AIDS Walk and
taking part in legislation at the State and National
levels. We would love your support
and input in these areas and more. If you are
interesting in volunteering or just want more
information about the CNSA please visit our
website www.cnsa.org, or email me at
rashment@gmail.com. I am looking forward
to getting to know all of you as the year progresses.
Good luck!
Rashida Mentrie-Maurer
CNSA President
PAGE 7

PAGE 8
IMAGE OF NURSING
At the Council of Chapter Representatives
Meeting June 20th 2009 hosted by Samuel Merritt
University, Trina Jayne’s Ad Hoc Chair spoke about
the importance of upholding a positive image in nursing.
The idea is that no matter what you are doing
you always present yourself and the nursing profession
in a positive light. This includes following the
dress code, using professional language, maintaining
appropriate self-conduct and having an overall professional
appearance. As nursing students, it all starts at
SDSU. If you establish a good nursing image for yourself
it will carry on throughout the rest of your career.
Also, when you
present yourself with a
positive image, it will
no doubt rub off on
your fellow students
and peers. The responsibility
does not
fall only on us as students;
when doing
simple tasks like emailing
with professors,
make sure to
maintain professional
MAKE MAKE YOUR YOUR OWN OWN ASSESMENT
ASSESMENT
conduct and appropriate language, because it all makes a difference.
If we cannot maintain a positive image of nursing
with our fellow nursing students and our teachers, then how
do we expect the public to do so as well? At the meeting we
watched a film about this issue titled “Image of Nursing: I’m
Just a Nurse.” It was interesting to hear some of the responses
from the public when asked what nurses do. Some
people said nurses are “the ones who bring the food” or
“doctor’s aides” or even “the helpers around the hospital.”
The public has accepted stereotypes of nurses and it is our
responsibility to do everything we can to promote our profession
in a positive manner and not just accept the stereotypes.
Nurses are highly educated
and qualified and we must
promote that image. No matter
what we are doing we must
take our job seriously so that
others do as well. We are not
just nurses, we are nurses.
Kimberly Vaughan
Co-BTN Director
Professor Julie Jurf and her Spring ‘09
class looking sharp
Due to budget constraints, none of us were able to select our clinical professors this semester.
How many of you are nervous due to the reviews of your soon-to-be instructor on such sites as Rate-
MyProfessor.com, Whototake.com, or Reviewum.com? From personal experience, I have found that
some of the most harshly rated professors can turn out to be the best you have ever had. It is easy to
vent and write negative comments anonymously. These views might hold clout if we were also able to
know the student’s effort during the course. Ultimately learning is the student’s responsibility and you
are in control. You will only get out of clinical what you put in. Our school is rated among the best in
the country, and our instructors are a major reason for that. Yes, your
teacher may not be perfect, but chances are good that your patients won’t
be either. Each experience with a new professor broadens your capacity
for understanding, communicating, and cooperating with people of varying
personality traits, thereby enabling you to grow and become a stronger
nurse, delivering quality patient care. It would serve you well to dismiss
whatever negative comments you may have read and go into this semester
with a fresh, positive attitude.
Kelly Bowker
Vital Signs Editor

Medication Error
I am tired. It is my third, twelve-hour shift
in a row and I am feeling the ache in my feet, my
back, my eyes and my soul. It is Father’s Day. I
attempt to call my dad; no answer, so I send my
brother a text message to pass on my well-wishes.
My preceptor has left me to my own devices
and has not moved from his chair. The patient load
is light, but the odd timing of their cumulative medications
is throwing off my time management; not
just 9, 1, and 5, but 11, 11:30, 12, and PRN pain
management. The cumulative medication administration
timing is keeping me from reading their
charts, looking at the big picture.
A 0900 medication is missing; the inhaler is
not in the Omnicell (medication pyxis), not in the
refrigerator, not in the lock-box in the room. I enter a missing med. When it becomes due again at 1700, I
am exhausted, dragging, and feeling the weight of being a student and a full-time employee simultaneously.
The medication is available in the Omnicell. A single, lonely inhaler in a cell by itself, I take it
out and add it to the pile.
Entering the patient room, I marvel at his ability to maintain sleep. The six tablets of methadone
have finally worked; his bed is at a 45° angle due to his breathing problems (pneumonia and COPD), he
is slumped to one side, drooling, twitching occasionally, the pain of his skin cancer temporarily forgotten.
I check his respirations; they are slow and even and within normal limits at fourteen. I scan his
wristband into the Bar Code Medication Administration Program (BCMA), thankful that I did not wake
him. I scan his IVPB and prepare it for infusion; I scan his oral meds and check that I have enough applesauce
to administer them with his difficulty swallowing.
The inhaler will not scan. The cursed missing med, finally available, will not scan. I walk over to
the satellite pharmacist to explain the problem. She comes back to the patient room to attempt troubleshooting.
My ever-absent preceptor comes over and also attempts to troubleshoot. Nothing works.
The pharmacist goes back to her office and prints a
new barcode. Finally, the medication is scanned in. I wake
my patient and start his IVPB, I give him his oral meds, I
hand him his inhaler to use. He recognizes it as a new
medication and asks me what it is – I tell him the generic
name I see on the screen and the hard-copy due list. He
looks skeptical and asks what he is allergic to… I check his
allergies, and the brand name of this medication is listed
among them.
continued on page10
PAGE 9

PAGE 10
New Sweatshirt
Design!
Colors: Black, Red,
& Navy Blue
Cost: $65.00
Contact:
Michelle at
babst@rohan.sdsu.edu
or
Jellica at
jellaquino@gmail.com
Medication Error Story continued
I very nearly administered a medication listed under the patient’s allergies. The doctor prescribed
it, the pharmacist filled it; in all the fuss to scan the blasted item into BCMA, the RN, satellite pharmacist,
and the student nurse all failed to notice that it was also listed, plain as day, under the patient’s allergies
on BCMA.
I take back the inhaler and tell the patient how glad I am that he asks questions about his medications
(what my preceptor for today calls a “troublemaker”). I mark the med “refused,” flag the MD’s order
for the medication, and text-page the MD.
I am quietly flustered. I am concerned. I marvel at what almost occurred. I ask the patient what
his reaction to the medication is and am slightly relieved to hear a litany of GI symptoms and no evidence
of anaphylaxis.
As I leave his room, the patient thanks me for taking such good care of him. I am not consoled. I
am a fraud and not worthy of such praise. I made a medication error; it was the patient who caught it in
time.
The editor's note: Author has given permission for publication and requested identity to be kept confidential.
Lesson: Lesson: Constant Constant Constant reminder reminder to to check,
check,
check, check, check, check, check, check, before before giving giving medication!
medication!
medication!

As the new CNSA Healthcare Coordinator I
plan to make it a priority for our class to become more
involved with our community and its healthcare needs
and activities. There are so many opportunities to get
involved in our community and make a difference in
other people’s lives. I have many ideas of ways we can
be creative as a class and start our own events to meet
our community’s needs. For example, I just recently
volunteered at a St. Vincent’s soup kitchen in downtown
San Diego. This experience opened my eyes to
our community’s opportunity for growth in their
knowledge of the importance and benefits of a healthy
diet. As nursing students, we have the ability to educate
and impact people with simple tips in eating and
living a healthier, longer, and more prosperous life.
Therefore, I envision CNSA coordinating with St. Vincent’s faculty and starting
an awareness day/week where we would explain the importance and benefits of
eating more nutritiously and living healthier lifestyles.
Also, we need to start brainstorming on ways we can help them do this on a
low budget. It’s easy to say just buy fresh fruits and veggies, but organic labels
are expensive and most of the time are harder and take longer to prepare. In addition,
gym memberships are not cheap either! I think we all take the $17.00
ARC membership for granted. I quickly learned when I moved away from State
and cancelled my ARC membership that other gyms charge almost triple! So… What can we tell the people
at the soup kitchen if healthy foods and gym memberships all cost a good amount of money, and
money is something they don’t have? Well, I have started to think of various ways we can help bridge the
gap between being healthy and spending a lot of money.
We can try to raise money so the soup kitchen can offer healthier foods. Also, who says you need a
gym membership to work out? San Diego is filled with great hiking and beautiful bike trails. Not to mention,
the beach is great for more than just laying out, it is a perfect place to get a great workout! If people
were more aware of these options I’m sure they would be more eager to go on a hike, or take a great bike
ride along the water. Most importantly, these workouts do not require any sort of gym membership!
Also, when I was serving at St. Vincent’s I noticed the people simply refused the selections of fruits
and vegetables that were offered, but asked for second helpings on the fries and unhealthy foods, thereby
illustrating that the most effective way for us to alter their habits of a poor diet is by education. If they understand
the effects of a diet that lacks fruits and vegetables and is high in fat and carbohydrates they may
be more eager to load up on foods other than French fries! We could make pamphlets for them to keep and
make posters (or whatever we think up!!) to stress why they should eat better, balanced, and nutritious
meals. We could explain simple concepts like the food pyramid, and teach them how to calculate how
much fiber, protein, sugar, carbohydrates, calories, et cetera is normal for them to be consuming based on
their age, gender, and height. This would be similar to the food journal exercises we did in
Nursing 202 for our nutrition paper. I want to do this during the month of September and go
from there, depending on the feedback we receive. I hope that during this upcoming semester
we can truly make a difference and be a positive influence to the San Diego community.
I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together!
Maci Gayaldo
Community Health Project Coordinator
SOUP KITCHEN
Maci and friends dressed
and ready to make a difference
PAGE 11

PAGE 12
SWISS WISS STUDENT TUDENT LETTER ETTER CONTINUED
ONTINUED
During our stay in Humboldt, California we took
classes in health and nutrition. We became acquainted
with the new food pyramid and spoke
about the differences in our countries’ eating habits.
We also touched on the subject of obesity,
which affects a larger number of people in the
United States than in Switzerland.
We visited the Imperial Valley campus. In Calexico
we visited two hospitals, one of which allowed
us to observe their neonatal unit. The care
which was lavished on the babies there seems to
resemble what we are used to in Europe and in
Switzerland. Besides these two hospitals, we visited the Family Treehouse, which allows parents to stay
and play with their children during the day. We also noticed they use helicopters that are staffed with
nurses and paramedics. In Switzerland we have almost the same system, but it is obligatory to have a doctor
in the helicopter.
In observation and conversation during the different visits of hospitals
and other sites we discovered that the nurses had much more selfgovernment
in the United States than in Switzerland. Their job is better
known and more respected.
During this stay I learned a lot about the health care system in the United
States. Certain things seemed to be the same as in Switzerland, while others
were very different. Two things, however, kept the attention of the
group of students: hygiene and languages spoken by nurses. In Switzerland
we are accustomed to speaking several languages, while in California,
in spite of the proximity of Mexico, most nurses speak only English, while
a good many patients only know Spanish.
Finally, we very much enjoyed our stay. We acquired a lot of knowledge
and discovered another way to live and to treat patients. I would like to
thank all the people involved in making this such a splendid experience
for all of us.

SDSU SCHOOL OF NURSING WILL BE OBSERVING TWO FULL FURLOUGH DAYS PER
MONTH THROUGHOUT THE 2009/2010 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR. FOR THE
MONTH OF AUGUST WE WILL BE CLOSED TWO FRIDAYS, AUGUST 7TH AND 14TH.
BE SURE TO CHECK OUR WEBSITE OFTEN TO FIND OUT FUTURE FURLOUGH DATES.
• August 26th—-New Student Orientation
• August 27th—-New Student Success Day
• August 28th—-New Student Technology Day
• August 31st—- First day of classes
• September 7th— Labor Day (campus closed)
• September 15th —11:00-2:00 Benefits Wellness Fair at Montezuma Hall
Contact Kurtis for more information at kurtislukina@gmail.com
• October 7th— Committee meeting for Honors Convocation
More information will be posted on web
• October 11th—-White Coat Ceremony * Mandatory for first semester students*
Volunteers needed from all semesters
Contact Elena Jarin for more information @ 619-594-1021
• November 11th— Veteran’s Day (campus closed)
• November 26th & 27th— Thanksgiving Recess (campus closed)
• December 17th— 2:00 Honors Convocation
• Cookies & Conversation with Dr. Todero TBA throughout the semester
Dates will be posted on school website
*SCHOLARSHIPS*
Schedule of Events
The Health Professions Education Foundation provides access to healthcare in underserved areas of
California by providing scholarships and loan repayments to health professional students and
graduates who are dedicated to providing direct patient care in those underserved areas. The
Bachelor of Science Scholarship Program provides awards up to $13,000 and the Loan Repayment
Program provides up to $19,000. In return for this financial support, award recipients agree to
provide direct patient care in medically underserved areas (MUA) of California for a period of two
to four years. Please visit our website at www.healthprofessions.ca.gov for more information.
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PAGE 14
SDSU CNSA BOARD MEMBERS FALL 2009
President
Rashida Mentrie-Maurer rashment@gmail.com
Vice President
Kaley Ferreira kferreira414@gmail.com
Secretary
Brianne Goulart BGO2687@aol.com
Treasurer
Parisa Stoops parisa.stoops@gmail.com
Community Health Director
Maci Gayaldo mgayaldo@gmail.com
Breakthrough-to-Nursing
Directors
Kurtis Lukina kurtislukina@gmail.com
Kimberly Vaughan KVaughan333@earthlink.net
Fundraising Coordinators
Michelle Babst babst@rohan.sdsu.edu
Jellica Aquino jellaquino@gmail.com
Vital Signs Editor
Kelly Bowker bowker.kelly@gmail.com
Undergraduate Programs Council
Representative
Molly Cocking tahoemullet@gmail.com
Membership Coordinator
Betty Chikwelu Dejavu2133@msn.com
Legislative Director
Sheridan Gnile sngnile@hotmail.com
Faculty Advisor
Professor Joan Hall jhall2@mail.sdsu.edu
You know you are a nurse when you compliment a complete stranger on his veins.
SDSU SDSU School School of of Nursing
Nursing
phone: phone: (619) (619) 594 594-2540
594 2540
fax: fax: (619) (619) 594 594-2765
594 2765
nursing@mail.sdsu.edu
nursing@mail.sdsu.edu
nursing@mail.sdsu.edu
Website: Website: nursing.sdsu.edu
nursing.sdsu.edu
Hardy Hardy Hardy Tower Tower Room Room Room 58
58
(downstairs)
(downstairs)
(downstairs)
5500 5500 Campanile Campanile Drive, Drive, San
San
Diego, Diego, CA CA CA 92182 92182-4158
92182 4158 4158