JQ Log

I can not believe that this semester is already over let alone this entire year. I have so many memories from this very specail freshman year. I have really grown as a person and student. I strongly believe that Children's Hospital had something to do with this. I miss the kids and the staff that I worked with. They taught me so much and I appreciate all the time I shared with them. I hope that all of you really learned a lot this year and have had some form of growing experience! Have a great summer and best of luck in the future!

Posted by Jenna Quinette at 3:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

One of my favorate memories from Children's is when I was working in the sibling play area. A regular girl named Megan came in one day when I was working. I didn't notice it at first but the head coordinator of the sibling play area asked if I would go talk to Megan because she was sitting in the corner alone. I noticed her staring out the window so I went to go talk to her. At first she didn't really talk and said she was waiting for her mom to come back. We were looking out the window and I was just trying to make small talk when all of a sudden she wanted to play make believe. She acted like she saw a bad guy down by security and randomly hid under a chair. Megan made sure that I hid from the bad guy too. So...yea that's right as a college freshman I hid under a huge chair with Megan from the bad guy...I LOVED IT! Families were coming in and out, thinking I'm crazy for sure. Megan and I had a great time that day. She eventually came out from hiding and played with the other kids but I was actually glad she gave me an accuse to be a child for a bit.

Posted by Jenna Quinette at 1:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Walking around on the floors...as usual I quickly found work. I was asked to stay with one of the girls until her mother arrived. She was watching a movie when I walked in but was excited to see me. I watched Mulan with her for a bit and then colored pictures. We waited for her breakfast to arrive and she was pretty upset that she didn't get any french fries but instead tator squares. It was actually really cute because she knew exactly what she wanted. She asked to see the menu and said she wanted to order again. However, when the nurse came in she was completely silent and I had to talk for her. I thought it was strange but didn't think anything of it. We started to talk again and she said that she wanted to watch a movie. A different nurse came in and I had to talk to the nurse once again because the patient was silent. I thought it was funny because the nurse asked me if I wanted to see the movie or the girl did...the little girl was cracking me up because she was so sassy. No, I didn't want to watch the movie the little girl did and yes, eventually she did get your french fries.

Posted by Jenna Quinette at 1:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

On my last day I walked around the floors as usual. One nurse grabbed me and said she needed my help. There was a little boy in the play area with his mom. The boy was playing and the nurse asked if the mother would like a break. She said yes and the little boy was fine with her leaving only because he didn't really understand. Him and I played for only a few minutes and he quickly realized that his mom was gone. He kept asking for her and wanted to see her I tried to convince him that we should play a bit longer and his mom would be back soon. I asked if he wanted to go for a walk and he agreed. He was walking pretty fast so it was hard to walk with him and carry his IV pole. We walked around for a bit and he was looking in all the rooms and I had an idea that he was looking for his room. Sure enough he quickly found his room and his mom. The mom laughed when she saw me and appreciated the little bit of time she had alone. I guess every little bit helps!

Posted by Jenna Quinette at 1:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

During my last day I got to do something I never did before. I got to work in the ICC which is the Infant Care Center. Usually I had worked with kids 2 yrs and up but never infants. I was anxious but really excited at the same time. In order to go to the unit you need to go to a security desk and they verify what you are doing and then let you through. There is all different types of rooms with up to four infants in the room. Most of the nurses didn't need too much help but they needed me to just hold a baby. I held one boy for a good 30 minutes...he had been there since January. It was so great spending time with the infants. The monitors on the babies were constantly going off so the nurses would have to quickly come over and make sure everything was ok. I had a lot of fun in the ICC and it was a very different experience.

Posted by Jenna Quinette at 1:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I can not believe that tomorrow will be my last day with Children's hospital. Getting up at 8am was not always the most fun but after I did wake up the experience I had was well worth it. I have learned so much about myself as well as others during my work. During the class panel today I really enjoyed being able to share my story with others and have my peers be able to ask me questions. It was so nice to hear almost everyone say that they would be going back to their organization or do some other form of volunteer work. I liked that we had the time to hear other stories. It seems as if we all had relatively nice experiences and that it impacted our lives somehow.

Posted by Jenna Quinette at 11:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

It was my second to last day with Childrens this last Wednesday. When I toId my "boss" that I would be finishing up next Wednesday he was sad to see me go. I am sure they are sad to see all volunteers leave but it was nice to see I was appreciated. However, I told him that I would be returning in the fall. When I began work that day I was asked to help out with a 12 year old. I was nervous to work with an older individual. I worked with a boy named Brandon...he was great. He had a great sense of humor and really understood my sarcasm...which I loved. I had to feed him which was difficult for me because he seemed fine but was too weak to feed himself. I walked around wtih him for a really long time and I really enjoyed his company. I had such an amazing time with Brandon and was so happy that I got to know him.

Posted by Jenna Quinette at 11:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I am really glad that our final paper is more relaxed. I'm glad we get to tie our community involment into our own personal opinions. It was nice to write my paper without numerous guidelines and rules to follow. It was also really interesting to read about other people's experiences when doing the peer edit. I learned a lot about myself during this class and my volunteer experience. Questions have been answered but more questions have arised throughout the process. I think that life is a true learning experience and through my volunteer work I have learned a lot. It will be interesting for Zack to read all our papers....

Posted by Jenna Quinette at 2:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

When I worked this past time I helped out with one of the same girls that I worked with last time. Before I walked into her room I could hear her crying form the hallway. The nurses said that she just likes someone to be with her and when she is alone she just crys. I had to put on my gloves and gown before entering and as soon as she saw that someone was coming in she stopped crying. For a while I just held her and watched TV but I then wanted to do something more fun with her. I asked the nurse if it would be ok to walk around the halls with her in a stroller. The nurse said that she would love that. For at least 30 minutes I walked around the floor with her. I saw many interesting things. I saw a little boy being release and it was so exciting to see the joy in his parent's eyes and his. I also saw a girl being rushed into surgery for unknown reasons. This walk was a definite mix of emotions. After finishing the walk with my patient we began to watch TV again. I felt bad just leaving her in the room crying so my goal was to get her to fall asleep. Eventually she did fall asleep in my arms. I was able to leave her in the room sleeping. Once again my experience at Children's was a good one. I really do plan to go back next year!

Posted by Jenna Quinette at 2:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The last time I worked I actually got to work on the floor that I was assigned to. I spent time with three different patients. The first time I worked with a small two year old girl that was in isolation. I had to put on gloves and a gown. All I had to do was hold her and watch TV with her but I loved it. She was so cute and I felt so bad for her. Her father came back and was so glad to see her finally resting. After this I was then asked to stay with a 10 month old girl. She was in so much pain because she had a horrific diaper rash. She hadn't been eating all day but with a little TLC I actually got her to eat a little. I felt so good to see your eating and a little energy seemed to come to her face. Eventually the little girls mother came so I left them alone. Finally, I stayed with a 12 year old girl that was watching a movie. She couldn't do much but just wanted to be with someone. I felt so good after my work last Wednesday...I really enjoy what I do! It is so nice to get hands on experience with this patients. The beginning was rough but I am glad things worked out and I can finally work at Children's.

Posted by Jenna Quinette at 1:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

So...it's been a while since I have written but I have great news. I have finally started working at Children's. I was one of the lucky ones that was actually able to start work at the hospital. My morning schedule worked with theirs, so I was in luck. I have already worked two days...and love it! I love the hospital setting and I am really starting to realize that maybe healthcare is for me. I have worked in the sibling play area the past two times but from now on I will be working with the patient's. I am really excited for this because I feel the I will learn the most from my one on one conversations with the patients. I received a tour of the hospital, and it was really great. I really like the set up of Children's hospital and all they do for the families. Hopefully good stories will come!

Posted by Jenna Quinette at 9:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I am starting to get a little frustrated with this whole volunteer process. I knew from the get go that I wanted to volunteer at Children's hospital. I have sent in all my information, had my TB screening, and attended the workshop that was required. I have heard from other students that Children's is "rejecting" people because they have had so many volunteers at one time. I really hope that my schedule can work with theirs so that I can volunteer here. If I don't get to work with Children's...then where do I go? I am sure a few students in class feel the same way...since I do not have any experiences to write about I thought I would do a little "venting."

Posted by Jenna Quinette at 10:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

On Thursday I attended a meeting at Children's Hospital in regards to my future volunteer position at the hospital. The meeting lasted around two and half hours but the time went by relatively quickly. We heard from current volunteers, learned about the privacy rules, learned about different drills, played a game to help us learn the rules, etc. After the meeting I became more excited for my future job. I think this experience is going to be amazing and I plan to keep it throughout the years that I am here at school. This position will also help me with any questions that I have in regards to the medical field I am considering.

Posted by Jenna Quinette at 8:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

After the speakers came to our classroom to discuss their different organizations, I knew that I wanted to work at Children's hospital. I have worked at homeless shelters, served at soup kitchens, and tutored children before but I have never worked at a hospital. However, I am considering going into the medical field and I have always loved children. I think that this volunteer work will be wonderful and I will look forward to my "work." I am curious as to what this new adventure will hold but I am extremely excited!

Posted by Jenna Quinette at 12:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I think that this class is a great idea. When in high school I did a lot of service work inlcuding organizing musical events and volunteering to help out middle schoolers. To me service is giving your time and talent to someone or something else.

Posted by Jenna Quinette at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)