3/22/14 3:00-11:00 (13/25 hours)

Today I decided to shadow my mentor for a full 8 hour shift. Wasn't such a busy day as far as labor and delivery goes, so I had a chance to hold one of the babies who was kept in the nursery for special care. I also got to learn how to take the blood pressure, heart rate and perform a hearing test on a baby. In the second picture it shows me taking my own blood pressure and heart rate using the monitors they have in the nursery. One of the other doctors who was performing the hearing test on one of the babies let me observe her and help her with the process. Later on in the shift I was able to watch another delivery! Such a gory but amazing experience to be a part of. 

I really learned a lot today since I volunteered for a whole 8-hour shift and got to experience how working for a hospital is going to be. Also as my second time watching a delivery, I became more aware of what to expect and didn't freak out as much as I did the first time I watched a delivery. I had so much fun and today really made me realize that this could really be the career I decide to pursue.

3/9/14 2:30-7:30 (5/25 hours)

Today was my first day shadowing Mrs. Gonzalez. Within the first hour I was able to witness a natural birth! Traumatizing but amazing experience to be able to see before me the whole delivery procedure and process. Mrs. Gonzalez also showed me around the hospital, introduced me to the nurses and showed me how to use some of the equipment. Around 5 o'clock, I was able to stand next to Mrs. Gonzalez and a pediatrician and observe the process of circumcision. Another rare and mind blowing moment that I was very fortunate to be able to experience and be a small part of. Today was a day well spent!

This marks the beginning of a whole new environment that I'm about to experience. Many emotions raging and I'm not too sure whether I'm more scared and nervous than excited. I hope to gain more knowledge on this career to be able to decided whether or not it is for me.

Badge

Today I went to Kaiser in Redwood City to receive my badge which is supposed to allow me into certain parts of the hospital making my volunteering official (: my first day is going to be March 9!

I switched from Seton to Kaiser since at Seton their volunteer program wouldn't have met my requirements. At Seton I would only be allowed to answer phone and assist people around the hospital if they were lost. Doing this, would not have gotten me anywhere with this project. My mom's friend works at Kaiser in Redwood City so she was able to help me get accepted into their volunteer program that would let me explore around the hospital.