Eva Rush has worked in various administrative and healthcare roles over her career, including with the military and VA hospitals. She is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in psychology and plans to obtain a master's in social work to continue helping veterans. Her experiences working with diverse populations in different healthcare settings have helped develop her communication and interpersonal skills.

1. Undergraduate Studies ePortfolio Eva M. Rush Psychology-Substance Abuse 2011

2. Hi my name is Eva M. Rush, born in New York City, N.Y. I started out as a Clerk in 1974 at the New York Hospital in New York, promoted to secretary in 1983 after I came back from the Military, four years (1979-1983) in the Marine Corps. I moved to Alabama and worked as Assistant Manager in the Franchise of Kentucky Fried Chicken (1985-1989) while going to school to earn my AA and in the Army Reserve as a mother and wife. Then I landed a job into the Federal System as a Clerk Stenographer for about a year in 1989. When I acquired my Associates Degree in General Science and Education at Gadsden State Community College in Alabama. I joined the Active Duty Army as An Executive Administrative Assistant for six years 1990-1996. I got out of the military to pursue my Nursing Career while still affiliated in the Army Reserve. Graduated from Nursing School, in 1999, became employed at a State hospital in Alabama for about one and a half year in 2000. Then I applied for the Veterans Administrative Hospital in Southern California which I got hired at in 2001 to work in a Nursing Home with veterans. I was still in the Army Reserve and was Mobilized to Active duty for Iraqi Enduring Freedom Campaign in 2004 and retired from the Army Reserve in 2007. I am currently working at the Veterans Administration as a Licensed Practical Nurse for the past seven years intermittently in the Primary Care out-patient Clinic in West Los Angeles, Ca. This year I will earn my Bachelors Degree in Psychology and minor in Substance Abuse 2011. My immediate goal is to continue my education and get my Masters Degree in Social Work and acquiring my licensure. My long term goal is to continue working and helping my fellow veteran comrades in any issues and resources needed currently and near future. I enjoy helping, assisting and working with veterans. I also would like to work with youth which I believe I have lots of insight on how I can help young people in their course to pursuing a better way of life and education. Specialties I have worked in a Step-down Unit, Nursing Home, Homeless Out-patient Clinic and currently in primary Care out-patient clinic with nursing skills background as a Licensed Practical Nurse. I have work experience and excellent communication skills, customer service skills and working with the public. I am familiar with Microsoft word, power point and excel.

3. Education Experience My online educational experience at Argosy University has been an enlightening learning and educational experience. I have learned the following referencing the variety of fields in psychology such as: Industrial/Organizational Psychology Forensic Psychology Clinical and counseling Psychology Interviewing Techniques

4. Education Experience Theorist referencing their differences theories in stages of development such as Piaget, Model of Cognitive Development and Kohlberg’s Model Development. The biological and psychological functions of the brain right and left hemisphere and how they can function together and independently The various psychological abnormalities in behaviors which causes mental issues and its stigmas . Learning and understanding how as psychologist to understand the nature of individual pathologies of the mind, mood and behaviors such as bipolar mood disorder (depression), Personality disorder, Schizophrenic disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADAHD) to name just a few.

5. Education Experience To me the core of the psycholology field is how to go about conducting a counseling session using the various therapeutic methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on thoughts and behaviors combined with other therapeutic methods such as humanistic therapy consisting of three types client-centered, gestalt and existential therapy. Learning and understanding to follow the appropriate approach and procedures, policies , diversity and ethical issues concerning therapeutic counseling and clinical psychology in the field of psychology.

6. Education Experience I believe my strength in this field will be my communication skills and the ability to work with and in a diversity environment. My weakness would be not having experience in conducting research and gathering information in an explicit and understanding format, but the collaboration and more experience with psychology professional conducting research. I will accomplish working on this weak area.

7. Cognitive Abilities Safety: I suggested re-arrangement of the Nurse Practitioners offices due to the type of mental health and homeless patients seen in our facility, Homeless Out-patient Clinic. Implemented exercise program for veterans staying at the Veterans Administration facilities such as domiciliary and transitional facilities due to the type of Psychiatric medications they were taking. One of the side effects caused them to gain weight.

8. Knowledge in Applied Psychology and It’s Foundation I have learned the concept of understanding the psychological behavior of pathopsychologiy working of the mind and moods causing mental abnormalities in people. I learned and understand that there are ethnic, cultural diversity and environment can cause individuals to develop certain behavioral tendencies. I also learned that there are biological and psychological conditions caused by alcohol and drug substance abuse in causing behavioral and mental issues.

9. Interpersonal Effectiveness and Communication skills My communication skills and interpersonal effectiveness comes from my life , work and environmental experiences. Working and living in a diverse environment has helped me learn not to be judgmental and accept individuals for who they are. Learning and understanding people have differences of opinions and beliefs are acceptable. Keeping an open mind and the communication line open in understanding individuals helps make me a better person. I feel this type of attitude will help me in my future professional career in psychology and social work .

10. Research My in-experience may be my weakness at this time and the in the field of research, but with continued practice I will strengthen theses issues throughout my career. Research is something I only had the experience implement as a student. I will learn and put this practice professionally with the collaboration of more experienced professional in psychology and social work field.