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April 2022 CNSA - SACRAMENTO STATE CHAPTER VOLUME 40, ISSUE 3

The Little Things in Nursing

By Samantha Jang
Class Rep 1
1st Semester

As a first-semester nursing stu-

dent, starting clinicals at a local
To be so Lonely
Sacramento hospital was an excit-
ing, but daunting task. I aspired to
Page 2
provide quality patient care and
Underestimating
assist nurses to the best of my abil-
Potential
ity. Despite my motivation, I quick-
Page 3
ly learned that I was an inexperi-
Mental Health Clinicals
enced beginner compared to the
in California Prisons
skilled and proficient nurses in this
Page 4
hospital. Although I was able to as-
My Pediatric Clinical
sess vital signs, assist patients with
Experience
ambulation and perform bed baths,
Page 5
the nurses on the unit were able to effortlessly perform thorough assessments of their
A Reminder to All Nurs- patients, administer medications, and collaborate with other interprofessional team
ing Students members. I started to wonder if I was actually making a significant impact in my pa-
Page 6 tient’s care. However, one day completely changed my mindset. Ms. A was an elderly
Beyond Our Scrubs patient who was under the care of my assigned nurse.
Page 7-9
Upon entering her room to deliver a cup of water, I saw her hunched over and crying in
Mental Health
her bed. I immediately asked her what was causing her to be so distraught. After sitting
Resources
down to talk with her, I found out that she was feeling depressed about staying in the
Page 10
hospital alone. I asked her open-ended questions in hopes of learning more about her
Campus Resources
situation to understand what would make her feel better. Soon, I found that she light-
Page 11 ened up as we reminisced about her family and performed range of motion exercises to
Nursing Meme Corner move her sore body. After remaining by her side for thirty minutes, she told me how
Page 12 she was struggling to cope with her loneliness and how having my company brightened
Updates & Info her day. I learned that simply listening to a patient’s stories or offering a bright smile
Page 13 early in the morning can improve a patient’s mental health. Each day I attend clinicals, I
aspire to help patients like Ms. A feel comfortable in a hospital's care. I hope that my
small assistance can brighten a patient’s day and positively help my community. I will
always remember that the seemingly little things in nursing can have a significant,
meaningful impact on a patient's emotional wellbeing and experience in the hospital.
Photo from author
 THE MONTHLY SHOT PAGE 2

To be so Lonely
By Maria Plascencia
3rd Semester

When applying to nursing school, I knew that it

would be the greatest challenge I signed myself
up for. I was aware of the many obstacles that
came with seeking higher education and how
difficult it would be to do it all alone. Being a
first-generation college student from a low-
income family meant that I would have to sup-
port myself academically and financially. And
being a Latina from an immigrant family meant
that there would be little to no representation in
nursing school and the profession. Although I
am proud that these characteristics describe
who I am and where I come from, they also
made me feel so alone and underrepresented.

I did my best to hide the struggles I was facing

because I did not want my parents to worry. I
did not want them to know that I felt so out of place because no one looked like me or shared the same struggles as I
did. I did not want them to know that the classes I was taking kept me up all night and were causing me so much anx-
iety. I did not tell them that I lived off coffee and frozen meals every day. I did not want them to know the truth, so I
hid a lot from them. I was living their dream and I did an excellent job painting the perfect image. I was willing to
keep faking it because they were proud of who I was going to become. In my mind, I thought that feeling alone came
with being a nursing student and it was only a temporary problem that would easily be resolved as soon as I graduat-
ed.

And as if all those struggles were not enough, my worst nightmare happened. I lost my father to COVID in October
of 2020. I had to withdraw from the semester and begin my role as the grieving daughter. Instead of worrying about
attending clinical or studying for finals, it was my duty to plan funeral arrangements and deal with insurance compa-
nies. At this time, I was also met with the realization that my nursing career would be placed on hold. I was told that
I had to sign a petition and decide when I could return to nursing school. Returning to nursing school was the least of
my priorities and at that moment becoming a nurse meant nothing because the only person who cared was gone.
Amid grief, I was forced by my mother to return to school the following semester. She told me that I would regret
losing my spot and not graduating. Little did she know that I was entering an even lonelier stage of my life as I re-
turned to nursing school.

I thought I felt lonely before because I did not see people who looked like me and I was struggling with school, but
nothing compares to the loneliness you feel when you are grieving. It is an everyday struggle to continue my nursing
career because I wish to share every milestone with my father. I always get the sudden urge to pick up the phone and
call him after I pass an exam, or I am finished after a long day of clinical. I wish I could send pictures of me in my
uniform, or the graduation stole I just received. Every day is a constant reminder that I am even more alone than I
once felt when I started nursing school. At the same time, I know I cannot give up. Giving up means that I am giving
up on him and his dreams of having his daughter become a nurse. I have a lot of frustration, anger, grief, and loneli-
ness in me, but I also have my father’s legacy to fulfill.

I do not share my story for pity. I want to show others how everyone's nursing school journey looks different and
how life is not always rainbows and butterflies. You never know what others are going through and you cannot ex-
pect people to always have a smile on their faces. Just remember to treat people with kindness.
Photo from author following Spring 2020 White Coat Ceremony
 THE MONTHLY SHOT PAGE 3

Underestimating Potential: A Nursing Student Perspective

By Alejandra Alcantar
4th Semester

As nursing school comes to a close, I reflect on the most significant

challenge I faced: underestimation. I have always been hard on my-
self, and truthfully, it only got worse when I stepped foot on hospital
grounds as a nursing student. I've felt a great need to prove myself in
response to being undervalued. Being a first-generation student with
the added stress of navigating a healthcare career posed many chal-
lenges. Since I was an adolescent, I have carried the need to prove
myself through work and academics. Ever since I can remember, I
have underplayed my achievements to others even though I knew
the depth of my accomplishments. Though humble in my endeavors,
it takes effort to prove myself capable, especially to professors and
scholars likewise. It wasn't until my final semester of my undergrad
that I began to register what that truly meant. I'm very hard on my-
self, yes. But why? As I've learned, part of the reason is a much more
rooted issue.
I often struggle with the need to prove myself due to the stereotypes
I have received in my life, especially as a Mexican-American woman. Over time, nuanced statements took a mental toll. I have had
counselors question my decision to pursue nursing, uttering "Are you sure?" with a dismissive tone. Having my merit questioned by
someone who literally possessed documentation of my academic achievement left me gutted. I felt small and undervalued. There are
a variety of microaggressions that I have experienced, yet the most forward has been when my intelligence was questioned solely
based on my appearance. In junior college, my classmates and I shared first impressions of one another amid conversation. One
classmate shared her first impression of me: "Oh, I thought you were stupid." I was shocked. Honestly, I wasn't aware at the time
that that was even a thing, much less a stereotype. And sadly, this wasn't the first time I received this 'first impression.' Of course, I
had developed a relationship with these individuals at the time as they felt comfortable enough to share this initial thought of me,
but it staggered me. I thought, is that what people think of me? How do I look stupid?
I often grapple with my identity because of such stereotypes. I'm proud of my Mexican culture; however, there are some aspects I
don't identify myself with. Unfortunately, the majority upholds general stereotypes regardless, giving rise to preconceived notions
or expectations of me. I've learned that these implicit, or rather explicit, messages are covert microaggressions. There are many in-
terpersonal barriers that Latinx individuals experience that stem from indignities that communicate derogatory insults, therein in-
validating lived experiences (Rivera et al., 2016). Having intelligence questioned or receiving adverse treatment for speaking Span-
ish are microaggressions (Rivera et al., 2016). Seemingly harmless statements can be rooted in internalized stereotypes, and they
can be intentional or unintentional. Microaggressions have also been correlated to a decline in mental and physical health in Lati-
nas/os, creating a dent in status at an institutional and societal level (Rivera et al., 2016).
When I began nursing school, I often feared people would view me through a similar lens. I was terrified of being underestimated.
There were times when I mispronounced medical terms, to which hospital personnel responded with a light chuckle or a subtle,
"Hm, I've never heard it pronounced that way." Every time I felt like each mispronunciation set me back two steps, questioning
whether they viewed me as capable of the profession. It's essentially progressive insecurity. I don't imply perfectionism nor uphold
myself to such extreme standards. I receive and respond well to constructive feedback because I'm eager to better myself as a pro-
fessional. Still, I've set such high expectations that I never really paused and realized the magnitude of my capabilities. I never
paused in reflection at all, much less told myself I was doing a good job or that I was enough.
I weathered the rigor of nursing school and understand the challenges to come as I transition from the role of nursing student to
nurse. My biggest challenge in nursing school taught me my biggest lesson: never lose touch with your inherent value. I am now
aware of microaggressive behavior and, more importantly, understand their origins, especially from a sociological lens. I learned
that being able to speak a second language holds minimal value if there is no shared background or at least an attempt to increase
cultural humility. Cultural humility originates from an intrinsic motive but should also stretch into understanding covert indignities
that are often disregarded. Culturally sensitive and culturally responsive care is of utmost priority in my practice. And although I
cannot create change overnight, I know that I carry the ability to ease the burdens of those who arrive at critical times on hospital
grounds.
Rivera, D. P., Campon, R. R., & Herbert, K. (2016). The impact of microaggressions and structural inequalities on the well-being of Latina/o American communities. In E. L. Short & L. Wilton
(Ed.), Talking about structural inequalities in everyday life: New politics of race in groups, organizations, and
social systems (pp. 65-83). Information Age Publishing. Photo from The Chronicle of Higher Education
THE MONTHLY SHOT PAGE 4

Mental Health Clinicals in California Prisons

By Karla Flores
3rd Semester

The graduating class of Fall 2022 was the first

cohort to complete their mental health clini-
cals in a correctional setting. Many students
were nervous, even scared, to be entering
these facilities. Although many of us did not
plan to become psych nurses or work in cor-
rections prior to this rotation, most of us
agree that it was an interesting experience.
For many of us, it was the only time we got to
experience what it is like for patients living
behind bars. Our mental health rotations were
eye-opening regarding how much they tied
into the information we learned in N111, spe-
cifically the social determinants of health.
The 5 components of the social determinants of health are: Economic Stability, Education Access and
Quality, Health Care Access and Quality, Neighborhood and Built Environment, Social and Community
Context. These factors have the potential to greatly affect not only our physical health, but our mental
health as well, which is just as important. Because of their impact on overall health, these social deter-
minants can be major factors that affect the decisions several of these patients made throughout their
life before coming to prison. For example, having no access to early medical and/or mental health ser-
vices can cause a patient to make unsafe or unhealthy decisions. In the correction setting, something
that was commonly seen in charts was a history of substance abuse which leads to other issues such
as impaired judgment and later crimes. Another issue that was widely seen for nearly every inmate
was a history of abuse. As we learned in N138, abuse is oftentimes a cycle. A lot of the inmates who
were in with charges related to rape, incest, or physical assault were raped or abused themselves,
usually when they where children. It was surprising to see how these patients who originally seemed
scary were also once victims of such tragedies. Other factors that were also seen in this population
were growing up in poverty, having complicated family structures, and issues with schooling.
Overall, although many of us were a bit nervous to step foot in prisons and care for patients there, we
learned a lot about why some people end up there. Although others may think it is controversial to
speak about a person’s choice to commit a crime and whether it should be seen with empathy, it is
still important to understand what factors lead to those crimes in the first place. By learning more
about this patient population and why some of their personal situations caused them to develop un-
healthy coping skills, bad habits, mental health conditions, and eventually the crimes that landed
them in prison, we can better help prevent crimes and incarceration for those who may be following
the same path.

Photo from Healthy People 2030

THE MONTHLY SHOT PAGE 5

My Pediatric Clinical Experience

By Mary Koloamatangi
3rd Semester
Pre-entry BTN Director

For many years, I knew that I

wanted to work as a pediatric
nurse. I have experience caring
for and playing with children of
all ages in my family. After
completing two important se-
mesters that allowed me to
take in the skills required to
work with patients in critical
care, a new diagnosis, and navi-
gating through various patient
and family encounters, I felt
prepared to progress to pediatrics. Especially after the experience my brother and
family had during his care as a pediatric oncology patient.
Despite the skills and preparation, I received during lab and lecture, I quickly
learned that the way I approach a child and how I play with them is a crucial aspect
of their care. I took my first set of vital signs on a two-year-old without any issues,
yet I struggled to do the same on another toddler. It is imperative that we under-
stand that regardless of what unit you are in, patients are unique individuals in
need of care while in the hospital. What works for one child may not work for an-
other. While working with each child, I also made sure to interact and collaborate
with their parents or caregivers and Child Life specialists on the unit! They are val-
uable resources and can reduce the stress of hospitalization or illness on the child.
The care that we provide children and families goes a long way. I can personally at-
test to the care that nurses provide and how it can affect their patients’ outcomes.
Every clinical day is a learning experience for me, and I look forward to working
with this patient and family population!

Photo from Eagle Physicians

THE MONTHLY SHOT PAGE 6

A Reminder to All Nursing Students: Its OK to Ask For Help

By DenMarie Abad
3rd Semester
Secretary

As nursing students, we find ourselves contin-

uously helping people around us without ask-
ing for anything in return. It comes with the
job, and it comes with the type of people we
are, individuals who love to help and provide
for others. But just like everyone else, we find
ourselves in difficult situations that we did not
want to be in, facing dilemmas we wish would
not have happened, and experiencing emo-
tions that we wish we could not feel. Through
all of this, we may feel like we should be
strong enough to endure these circumstances
since we provide care for so many other peo-
ple. We might feel that since we have lived with ourselves for so long, we should
know how to handle how we are feeling and the stress that we go through.
However, it's completely OK and even encouraged to ask for help. Mental health is
a huge part of our physical health, and we need to take care of ourselves before we
can take care of others. Don’t be afraid to ask for support from your friends, peers,
instructors, and professionals. There are others who would love to help just as you
would love to help others.
In a time where we are focusing on our future, don’t forget to focus on the present
self and be more in tune with how you are feeling. Whether you need to talk to a
friend over coffee or have an appointment with a therapist, all of it is valid. Seeking
help does not make you weak or dependent. Just a quick reminder that while you
take care of your patients you should take care of yourself as well.

Photo from author

THE MONTHLY SHOT PAGE 7

Beyond Our Scrubs: Nursing Art Submissions

"For my art submission I made this digital art piece based on our assigned reading for N120: The Immor-
tal Life of Henrietta Lacks. I found the story of Henrietta and her family impactful, and it reiterated the
importance of informed consent and patient advocacy--especially when navigating a health system that
historically has not been equitable for all. We must learn about the wrongs of the past to prevent repeat-
ing them in the future, and in the spirit of building an equitable space for everyone in healthcare/
research it is important that we carry with us the lessons we have learned from Henrietta and the
Lackses'. “

-Yovanna Aguilera, 2nd Semester

THE MONTHLY SHOT PAGE 8

Beyond Our Scrubs: Nursing Art Submissions

"A skeleton's hand that is carrying a life elixir potion, which I used to study the bones of the human
hand, and it reminds me that humans carry healing abilities .“

-Kaelie Balay, 1st Semester

THE MONTHLY SHOT PAGE 9

Beyond Our Scrubs: Nursing Art Submissions

"Nursing student’s priorities diagram.”

-Simran Ghuman, 1st Semester

 THE MONTHLY SHOT
Resources
COUNSELING:
Student Health & Counseling Services
https://www.csus.edu/student-life/
health-counseling/counseling/
We offer confidential individual and
group counseling. If you would like to ex-
plore whether counseling is right for you,
the first step is to call us during business
hours at 916-278-6461.
If you are experiencing an urgent matter,
you can drop in during our business
hours. (Mon-Fri: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. )
PAGE 10
CRISIS ASSISTANCE & RESOURCE
EDUCATION SUPPORT (CARES):
https://www.csus.edu/student-affairs/
crisis-assistance-resource-education-
support/
The Sacramento State CARES office provides
support to students who are in crisis or experi-
encing unique challenges to their education.
They address a variety of issues including, but
not limited to: Transportation Barriers, Mental
Health and Wellness, and Physical Health and
Wellness.
THE MONTHLY SHOT PAGE 11

Campus Resources—Food Pantry and Pop Up Pantry

ASI Food Pantry ASI Pop Up Pantry

Registration once every semester:

Fresh produce at no cost to Sac State
https://asi.csus.edu/asi-food-pantry
students in need
MONDAYS: 12 pm—3 pm Dates: May 2
TUESDAYS: 10 am—2 pm 10:30 am—1:30 pm
WEDNESDAYS: 1 pm—5 pm Location: Library Quad
THURSDAYS: 12 pm—3 pm
FRIDAYS: 10 am—2 pm
Location: University Union, Room 1246

Students are able to select foods using a

points system every week!

For more information, visit ASI’s website https://asi.csus.edu/asi-food-pantry or Instagram @sacstateasi

Photo Credit: Andrea Price (Instagram @andrea.price.sac)

THE MONTHLY SHOT PAGE 12

Nursing Meme Corner

Do you have a nursing meme you want posted?

csus.cnsa.monthlyshot@gmail.com
Photo Credits: CNSA Board
 THE MONTHLY SHOT PAGE 13

Learn more about

Men in Nursing at IMPORTANT
aamncsus.weebly.com UPCOMING DATES
& aamn.org
Events:

Men In Nursing Meeting

Spring 2022 Apparel Order May 13 (Friday) at 4:30 pm
FLS 1048
[TBA] New Grad Panel & Elections. Hear
View Past Monthly Shots from former students and run for a po-
sition in MIN!
http://cnsaatcsusacramento.weebly.com/past- C.N.S.A. Meeting
entries.html May 6 (Friday) at 4:30pm
FLS 1050
New Grad Panel! Hear from former stu-
dents on their experience in the indus-
try.

Contact Info
California State University, Sacramento,
School of Nursing:
7667 Folsom Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95819-6096
https://www.csus.edu/college/health-
human-services/nursing/
Phone: (916) 278-4106

Write for the Monthly Shot! Monthly Shot Editor: Hugh Darwent
Join CNSA: Each article is one CNSA event and is great for your
Email: csus.cnsa.monthlyshot@gmail.com

nsnamember- resume! Articles should be at least 250 words, and can Faculty Co-Advisors:
be about anything nursing or school-related. Dr. Denise Wall Parilo
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We want to hear from all semesters!
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