Teaching and Learning in China
In Spring of 2013 I was given the chance of a lifetime to live in China and teach English as a volunteer with International Language Programs for 5 months. I returned to China the following Spring as a Head Teacher where I trained 18 volunteer teachers. My experience serving in a foreign country truly changed my perception of the world and the people I met there changed my life. I miss my cute kids every day!
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Congressional Internship in Washington, DC
Workplace Learning
This semester (Fall 2010) I participated in the Labor and Delivery Tour at the Intermountain Medical Center in Murray, Utah. The Labor and Delivery Nurse took us into a delivery room and explained everything that she does as a nurse, the equipment used, and all the stages of birth. A successful labor and delivery nurse enjoys working with people and performs well in high-pressure situations. They are generally available to the woman at the beginning of her labor, and it is their job to make sure that both the mother and her child get all of the support they need for a successful delivery. Labor and delivery nurses also take care of pregnant women who are forced to stay in the hospital due to complications. They also communicate important information to the mother about childcare. If necessary, they help mothers deal with post-partum depression. Labor and delivery nurses must also be trained in neonatal resuscitation and other critical skills, so they are able to assist in an emergency situation.
The only high school requirement for nursing is a diploma, but you will always need a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED) to be eligible for any nursing training program. Math is an important subject for nursing. Consider taking an advanced placement test in math in order to meet the requirement for nursing school. All nursing programs will require a biology course. If your high school offers courses in anatomy and physiology, consider taking those as well. After high school you must attain an associates or bachelors degree, and take those same classes that were suggested for high school in addition to microbiology, statistics, and organic and inorganic chemistry. Most nursing programs require a passing grade of “B” or higher.
The annual income of a Labor and Delivery nurse can range anywhere from $40,000-$90,000. Nurses who have a lot of experience can command higher salary than those with entry level positions. This job can often require shift work, and some nurses choose to be on call. To become a Labor and Delivery nurse you must take three certification/licensor exams. Those exams include NCLEX-RN, Neonatal Resuscitation, and Fetal Monitoring. The exam costs range from $100-$225.
Over 2.5 million strong, nurses make up the largest workforce within the clinical healthcare industry, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nursing is one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States. The opportunities are varied and much greater than they ever have been. The demand for nurses who are highly qualified is increasing. This career is anticipated to be in high demand for a very long time.
The tour was very informative, and enlightening. I realized that this specific career is not for me, but unfortunately I learned it the hard way. I have always known that I have a weak stomach, but was not prepared for the placenta that was brought in the room. As she described the fresh placenta as “warm” I had to excuse myself from the room. After the fainting incident the tour was over and I was very well taken care of. In the future I will expose myself to as many grotesque experiences as possible in order to get used to them. It is my dream to become a nurse and I will try as hard as I can to achieve that goal.
