The document provides information about Kara Kaster, a senior at Kapaun Mount Carmel High School who is participating in the Saint Gianna Health Academy. It details her experiences shadowing and volunteering at various healthcare facilities, including learning about hand washing, observing surgeries, and shadowing in the emergency room. It also shares summaries from presentations by several healthcare professionals on their careers.

1. Kara Kaster Saint Gianna Health Academy 2010

12. Professional Thank You Letters

13. Professional Thank You Letters

14. Professional Thank You Letters

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17. Hand Made Thank You Letters

18. Hand Made Thank You Letters

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22. Mentor Form

23. Mentor Form

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25. Mentor Form

26. Mentor Form

27. Cover Letter

28. Resume

29. References Denise Clarke-Hang Instructor of Saint Gianna Catholic Health Academy 218 North Bleckley Wichita, KS 67208 (316) 612-4812 John Arnold Proprietor of Redrock Canyon Grill 1844 N. Rock Road Wichita, KS 67236 (316) 636-1844 Dr. Brian and Serle McNeil Emergency Room Doctor 2508 N. Rosemont St. Wichita, KS 67228 Lisa and Anthony Long Chemical and Mechanical Engineer 2509 N. Rosemont St. Wichita, KS 67228

30. Blog Over Weekly Rotation The Laboratory My first rotation took place in the Laboratory, I was hesitant at first not knowing what to expect. Once I arrived I followed around a nurse who went around throughout the hospital taking blood work from patients. After taking the blood she would scan it into the computer and send it down to the lab to be tested for anything that could be wrong. The patients and nurse were very friendly and made the process quick and simple. On the second day of my rotation I shadowed the different areas in the lab. First, I was shown around the blood bank and explained how the blood is tested. Then a nurse showed me around the Chemistry area of the lab where I looked at urine and blood samples. Overall, the two days were very interesting; being able to look at different types of samples and see how everyone worked together in their area was great.

31. Blog Over Weekly Rotation The Cardiac Unit After shadowing in the Cardiac Unit at St. Francis, I have gained a great respect for nurses because of the situations the deal with. Many patients are very anxious to leave the hospital and become very frustrated when they are told they will have to stay for another day. The nurse I followed was very friendly and interacted with her patients, which helped form a bond between the patient and the nurse. Everyone throughout the unit was very nice and helped answer my questions. On my second day, I followed the same nurse, Lisa, who had just been questioned by JACHO (Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organization) which evaluates the health care organizations and inspires them to excel in providing safe and effective care of quality and value. I think it is great that there is an organization that makes sure hospitals are meeting their expectations and excelling to improve.

34. Blog Over Weekly Rotation The Emergency Room My 8th rotation I spent in the ER at St. Joe. The first day I shadowed my mom, which was a lot of fun. First--She showed me the Sexual Assault room, which was very interesting. The first room you walk into has a TV, couch, and was designed by the nurses. The next room is the actually examination room, and a shower for the patient to use after the exam. Also, there is another room in which the police use to interview the patient, family, or doctors about the assault. Second--She showed me the area the nurses use from psych. evaluations. When you first walk in their is an area for the patients to check in and just sit and wait. Then they must go into another room and place there clothes and belongings in a locker. I noticed on the trash can, there is a paper bag because in the past patients have tried to kill themselves with plastic bag. Down the hall their are about 8 rooms, in which, the patient goes in, sits on a couch and talks to the psychiatrist through a television. She informed me the TV is now enclosed in a sealed cabinet because the patients tend to get very upset and have taken the TV and smashed it.

35. Professional Speakers Dr. Bernadette- Newman Nursing “ Nursing can take you anywhere your imagination allows” emphasized Dr. Bernadette as she introduced our class to the meaning of nursing. There is a range of opportunities available to nursing students. The United States is currently looking for nurses to work throughout hospitals, clinics, schools, and to teach. Nurses learn something new everyday which allows them grow as a person. The curriculum for the baccalaureate of science in nursing (BSN) degree requires a minimum of 60 specified hours of liberal arts and sciences prior to enrolling in nursing courses. Newman University, currently accepts thirty-two students into their program each semester. Newman students receive the benefit of attending a private and Catholic university which has a close connection between students and teachers

36. Professional Speakers Dr. Crook- Family Practitioner “ Be strong about your morals and ethics, do not be afraid of humans, and trust in the Lord” emphasized Dr. Crook as she explained how to manage your career and vocation. After graduating from Newman, she applied for medical school and was not accepted at first but she continued to try and achieve her goal of becoming a family doctor. Over time she was able to improve her MCAT scores and was accepted into Kansas University Medical School. Overall, Dr. Crook has had many experiences in family medicine but has been able manage a strong faith and family life. She currently works at the Lakeview Clinic and is the mother of five children. She stated, “It all comes down to ‘balancing of loving what your doing and raising a family”.

37. Professional Speakers Dr. McCarthy- Optometrist A highly respected optometrist, Dr. McCarthy, emphasized he is a “family doctor of the eyes”. Optometry is a health care profession concerned with eyes, as well as vision, visual systems, and vision information. He deals with a variety of patients throughout his daily work. He can specialize with any age group but typically deals with the elderly. As he continued, he addressed the different areas an optometrist can practice his or her skills. For example, in a hospital based area, cooperative setting, or private practice. Another area he or she might work in is the military. There are a vast amount of benefits and they may receive a higher salary than most optometrists.

38. Professional Speakers Dr. Leyba- Science Instructor at Newman “ Don’t let your career define you, you define your career”. Dr. Leyba emphasized as he explained the path in which you should follow when choosing your career. He attended Truman State in Missouri and earned a Bachelors and Science degree in Chemistry. There are many types of jobs available for someone who has earned this type of degree such as, work at a pharmaceutical industry, work in industry, or a manager. There are many benefits to being a manager of a company such as, job security, authority, are better salary. On the other hand, the manager is in complete control which causes people to act differently around them. The average pay of a chemist is about $45,000. Also he explained the benefits and perks of earning a PHD instead of just settling with a Bachelor’s degree. There is about a $15,000 increase in pay for each degree. There are more jobs available to those individuals who have earned a PHD. The average pay of a chemist with a PHD averages about $75,000 starting out.

39. Professional Speakers Greg Reichenberger- Veterinarian “ In order to be successful you have to be able to communicate and talk with people” Greg Reichenberger stated when he explained the importance of having a personality. Dr. Greg Reichenberger is a former graduate of Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, Newman University, and Kansas State University. He currently works at his personally owned business, West Wichita Pet Clinic. He states “vets are a little bit of everything” which means they are responsible for many different operations which within the exam room. They currently start off making about $65,000-$75,000 a year and can make up too $150,000 their second year. There is a world of opportunity available for veterinarians throughout the United Sates. They are able to work in the armed forces, own a private practice, teach or work for the government.

40. Career Paper Summary According to the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the average full-time income is $92,100. This statistic varies from state to state and can differ depending on what the individual specialized in. For example, the average of a Family Nurse Practitioner is $81,000 annually. Yet, the yearly average of a Critical Care Nurse Practitioner is $114,000. The demand for nurse practitioners is not as high as the demand for nurses in other specialties. There are twice as many practicing NPs today than there were ten years ago. According to CNN, Nurse Practitioners were ranked number four on the list of the best jobs to have in America in 2009. CNN emphasizes why this field is beneficial by stating, “Thanks to the growth of retail health clinics and the shortage of primary-care doctors, opportunities abound for nurse practitioners in settings from hospitals and urgent-care centers to private practice. Experienced nurse practitioners looking for a change of pace can shift to teaching or medical research.” The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, reported that overall job opportunities for nurse practitioner were expected to be 'excellent' in the ten-year period from 2006 to 2016, with an anticipated employment increase of 23%.

41. Following my graduation from Kapaun Mount Carmel, I plan to attend Kansas State University and then receive a degree in Speech Pathology. Future Plans