AH 3099: Senior Capstone
Phlebotomy
Why I decided to become a Phlebotomist
After being denied from the UConn Nursing program, I decided that I needed to get hands-on experience
I always had an interest in laboratory work. The first step was getting hands-on experience through collecting specimens (blood, urine, etc.)
This course was a 4-week summer program located at Training Direct, A division of Dorsey College (Danbury, CT)
- 100 instructional hours
- Must successfully perform 5 live unaided successful venipunctures + 10 unaided successful capillary collection procedures.
What is a phlebotomist & roles of a Phlebotomist
- A trained healthcare professional who draws blood from patients for tests, transfusions, research, or donations
- Blood collection
- Patient care
- Safety & sterilization
What I learned from the course
- History of Phlebotomy
- Effective communication and documentation skills
- Medical terminology
- Venipuncture procedures
- Specimen handling and processing
Overall, this was a great first experience. I loved being in a clinical setting and learning hands-on procedures. I also learned to trust others and teamwork through allowing people to draw blood from me and vice versa.
Preforming a Venipuncture
Friends I made along this experience :)
Selfie with my instructor and class mates
Becoming an EMT
AHS has a variety of courses that I was interested in. One of the best decisions I made was taking
AH 3099: EMT (UConn, Storrs)
Why?
I knew that I needed hands-on experience. I had asked several medical students, registered nurses, and EMTs about the importance of hands-on experiences, and they all gave me the same advice:
"The more exposure you have to clinical experience, the better the nurse you'll be once you're in the field."
This course was a semester-long, rigorous course.
- Classes were held Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday
- MWF: 3-hour classes from 5 pm-9 pm (Class lecture)
- Sat: 9 am-3 pm (Hands-on clinical practice)
What I learned from this course
Individuals working in the emergency medical field are BRAVE.
An important skill what confidence, which I lacked.
I overcame my lack of self-confidence through asking for help, asking questions, even though the answer could be crystal clear. But the importance of asking is knowing that you are CONFIDENT to admit you don't understand something.
As for procedures:
- I learned how to perform CPR + using an ED
- I learned how to use a blood pressure cuff, use different oxygen machinery
- I learned how to perform patient assessments and properly handled a patient who may be unconscious
From UCONN CEIN application:
Consider your previous work, military, community service and volunteer experiences. What skills or knowledge did you gain from these experiences that you feel will contribute to your nursing practice?
Congratulations Email from EMT Instructor
Picture taken from a proud Latina Mother
Some sneak peaks from HHC Marathon and Clinicals
Other Experiences
Throughout my undergraduate career I liked to keep myself busy. I worked on weekends and during winter/spring/summer breaks!
Working as a Waitress
Papa Al's (Newtown, Connecticut)
Roles:
- Providing excellent customer service
- Taking orders
- Serving foods & drinks
- Table & Area Maintenance
What I learned:
- I learned the importance of communicating with other staff and how to interact with guests
- The importance of learning how to multitask
(e.g, serving multiple tables at once)
- Fast-paced & physical
(e.g, not letting customers wait too long and always having a smile on my face regardless of how stressed I felt in the moment)
How will I take these experiences into the nursing field?
- Learning how to multitask & prioritize
- People Skills & Empathy
- Stress management
- Fast-paced & physical
- Advocacy for my patients
Fun fact: I met Former President Bill Clinton!
Working at a Pet Resort
Cassio Kennels (Newtown, Connecticut)
Roles:
- Hands-on animal care, feeding, cleaning, walking & playing with pets
- Customer service: Greeting clients & assuring clients that their pets are in good hands :)
What I learned:
- I learned the importance of reassurance (e.g, letting clients know their pets will be cared for)
- The importance of responsibility
(e.g, feeding the pets & keeping their crates clean)
How will I take these experiences into the nursing field?
Although this was a hands-on experience with animals, I was able to learn how to empathize with animals and their owners. Additionally, patience was a big key factor. Some clients (reasonably so) would be concerned about leaving their pets for weeks in the hands of others.
snapshots of our cute clients