Orange County Campus Archives | ��

WCU-OC Student’s IVF Journey Shapes Her Nursing Path

�� — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Already the mother of two, when �� student Sarahi P. and her fiancé Tara decided to expand their family, the couple turned to the unique path of reciprocal in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Using Tara’s egg and Sarahi’s womb, Sarahi now has an 18-month-old baby boy with Tara. Despite the challenges and uncertainties with the IVF process, Sarahi found the experience overwhelmingly positive.

“We knew we wanted to have kids together, we just knew it was going to be a little tougher for us given that we’re both women,” Sarahi shared. “I loved the facility we went to; their bedside manners were through the roof. I can reference my experience as another reason why I want to work in the medical field.”

While balancing motherhood and her studies at WCU-Orange County has been a roller coaster, Sarahi said she credits the university’s supportive environment and her family for helping her manage both.

“I’m just so happy that WCU has a very welcoming staff,” she said. “And I’ve always relied on my support system, especially my fiancé. Without her, things would be 10 times harder. My kids have also been superstars.”

Once she earns her bachelor of science in nursing degree, Sarahi plans to pursue her master’s to become a nurse practitioner, with hopes of continuing in the OB-GYN specialty and making a significant impact in women’s health, mental health, and the LGBTQ+ community.

“I want to help as many people as I can. I’ve always had a passion for helping others,” she shared. “And I want to bring babies into the world and support other women through their pregnancies.”

Originally inspired by the care her younger brother received during his battle with cancer in 2013, Sarahi has been determined to become a healthcare professional.

“Thankfully, he is in remission, but in those tough times, I witnessed him having long hospital stays,” she said. “I would see how the nurses dominated everything, and I slowly came to the conclusion that I wanted to get into nursing.”

Sarahi then became a medical assistant and earned her phlebotomy license. She first heard about WCU through a casual conversation with a newly hired nurse practitioner at the OB-GYN office where Sarahi worked.

“I just started chit-chatting with her about my dreams and goals. She suggested I look into ��, where she graduated from,” Sarahi recalled. “I looked into it, attended an info session, and even encouraged a coworker with similar goals to join me.”

Whether being part of the LGBTQ+ community, considering IVF, or pursing a degree in healthcare, Sarahi emphasizes the importance of following your passion and not letting others dictate your happiness.

“Don’t let others make you feel inferior,” she said. “Follow what makes you happy, hold on to it, and ride it out. You are your biggest fan.”

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WCU Dental Hygiene Student Fuels Her Passion for Healing With Community Outreach

�� — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 16:00:00 +0000

After experiencing hardship and isolation during a hospital stay as a child, Hannie T. knew she wanted to work in healthcare.

“I was admitted for treatment and felt isolated because my family wasn’t able to visit me most of the time due to the long commute and limited financial resources,” she said. “Having to experience that as a child was very detrimental. I was by myself most of the time, and I didn’t understand why I was there or how long I had to be confined in a room with IV lines hooking up to my arms. The only thing that I wanted was to be home.”

The hospital staff was the one part that made her stay bearable, Hannie said.

“I’m very grateful for all the hospital staff who cared for me back then because they were caring and attentive to my needs,” she said. “I realized that having close ones during tough times, especially during hospital stays, was very crucial as it felt like the only support system that I had.”

Now a ��-Orange County dental hygiene student, Hannie volunteers and works in the community to be present for patients and provide them with the support they need.

“As I grew older, I understood that being present for others was important,” she said. “Not only am I there to provide support, but also to be an active listener for others as someone they can rely on while their family members are not around.”

Besides being a student delegate for both the California Dental Hygienists’ Association and the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, Hannie also volunteered for four years at LAC+USC Medical Center. However, her community outreach does not stop there.

“To me, giving back extends beyond the means of providing financial resources. It involves empathy, compassion, and patience towards those around me,” she added. “The current project I’ve been working on is knitting infant beanies. Knitting has always been a hobby of mine, and I want to take it one step further and make beanies for the little ones at the Children’s Hospital. I hope this project will bring many more smiles to those around me.”

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�� Students Win National Dental Hygienist Research Award

�� — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 16:00:01 +0000

Three dental hygiene students from �� have achieved an extraordinary milestone, clinching first place both in California and nationwide with their innovative research project. The students, mentored by WCU Dental Hygiene Professor Dr. Annette Stelter, tested a novel salt and citric acid powder mixture designed to suppress a patient’s gag reflex for about an hour after a 10-second application.

The team – made up of WCU-Orange County dental hygiene students Isabella T., Reyna V., and Katie C. – first showcased their work at the California Dental Hygiene Association (CDHA) conference, where they won first place in the state. Following this success, they went on to secure the top spot nationally and are now preparing to present their research at the prestigious “” conference in Denver, Colorado, this July.

Despite only having about two months of research training, the students quickly adapted, developing impressive skill sets over two terms. Professor Stelter expressed immense pride in their achievements, highlighting their dedication and the sophisticated methodologies they developed for their study.

“I just can’t say how proud I am and how honored I have been to work with the three of them,” Stelter said. “It was 20 weeks of hard work, and I know I pushed them, but they did it.”

The students conducted their research at the WCU Dental Hygiene Clinic in Anaheim, identifying five key points in the mouth most likely to trigger the gag reflex. They tested the powder on participants, noting their reactions before and after application. Remarkably, the powder effectively suppressed the gag reflex for an hour, consistent with the manufacturer’s claims.

“Gag reflex is a common inconvenience for not only the patient but for us as dental professionals,” WCU student Katie C. said. “A lot of times, it’s challenging to even do our job because the gag reflex poses such a significant challenge for us, so this powder was amazing.”

A significant aspect of the study involved participant selection and data collection. They conducted pre-surveys to gauge the severity of participants’ gag reflexes and only included those with higher sensitivity. After applying the powder, they re-tested the reflex and documented their findings, which showed a high success rate of 9 out of 10 participants experiencing suppression of the gag reflex.

The students faced various challenges, including initial uncertainty about how to structure their study and calibration issues in identifying gag reflex trigger points. Despite these hurdles, their perseverance paid off, and they were able to successfully complete and present their research.

“It’s so different learning about research versus conducting your own study. The hardest part was figuring out how we were going to test this and the best way to go about it,” Isabella T. said. “You have to get participants, figure out methods and materials, and learn how to analyze your results. It was a lot, so I’m just proud of us for doing it.”

Reflecting on their journey, the students expressed pride in their teamwork and the skills they developed. They also noted the impact of their win on their confidence and future career aspirations. The experience at the CDHA conference, surrounded by accomplished professionals and peers, inspired them to consider broader career possibilities beyond clinical practice, including roles in research and public health.

As they prepare to graduate in October, the students are excited about the future, bolstered by their achievements and the support they received from their mentor and university. Their success story not only highlights their hard work and dedication but also serves as an inspiration for other students and professionals in the field.

“I got into dental hygiene because I want to be in private practice because I want to connect with patients,” Reyna said. “I had a lot of doubts going into the competition because I felt like maybe if we were not going to win, it was going to be because of me, but this ended up being the boost of confidence that I really needed.”

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WCU Graduate and Nursing Instructor Knows Learning is Lifelong Journey

�� — Wed, 15 May 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Thao P. began working full-time as a nurse after graduating from �� in 2019, but soon discovered she also enjoyed teaching up-and-coming nursing students.

Now a clinical nurse in the medical surgical unit of an Orange County hospital, Thao P. is also a clinical nursing instructor at American Career College.

“I went into teaching because I want to help students learn in a safe environment where they feel comfortable asking questions and expressing themselves,” she said. “I really like helping people navigate the hospital policies and understanding the roles of a nurse.”

Thao said she appreciated the learning environment at WCU-Orange County and enjoyed the fast pace of her Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Having already earned an undergraduate degree before attending WCU, Thao said many of the students in her BSN program were also older and making a career change.

“The bonds you make during your time as a nursing student will make a lasting impression on you,” Thao said. “I really enjoy how impactful and encompassing the education provided was while also helping the students graduate in a timely manner.”

Thao said her cohort became like family. Once, while observing a C-section surgery during her OB clinical rotation, Thao said her classmates stepped in to offer some support.

“I was feeling woozy and close to fainting from observing the surgery, and my classmates were there to make sure I was OK,” she said. “My professor and the nurses were all so understanding and kind.”

While WCU holds high standards and expectations for its students, she said, Thao was grateful for how her nursing instructors prepared her for the real world.

“Now that I am an RN, I feel that the standards ingrained in me during my school years really helped me become a good nurse,” she said. “It is scary being in the field for the first time, but I felt WCU prepared me well… I am very proud that I hold a high sense of responsibility and integrity to the care I provide.”

Thao said she is passionate about teaching to that same standard and advised future nursing students to remain confident throughout the program.

“Don’t feel doubtful about yourself or let others tell you that you aren’t good enough to be a nurse,” Thao said. “You are a nursing student, so this is the time to ask dumb questions and be OK with accepting that you don’t know everything.”

Years after graduating, Thao is quick to say her education has not ended and that she is continually coming across something new.

“Nursing is a lifelong learning career,” Thao said.

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WCU Dental Hygiene Student Has a ‘Lifetime Experience’ in 2024 Rose Parade

�� — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 17:00:13 +0000

�� student Peyton C. had the opportunity to ride in the Rose Parade for the fourth time as part of the Norco Cowgirls Rodeo Drill Team’s equestrian group.

“I’ve been on the team on and off since 2017,” she said. “I’m not currently on the team because I’m focusing on school, but they reached out to me and asked if I wanted to be part of the Parade. I’m so lucky to have been able to do it four times; it’s really fun.”

Even with the overnight camping session along the 210 freeway in Pasadena, followed by an early morning wake-up call at 4 a.m. to prepare for the event, Peyton describes being in the New Year celebration as a “lifetime experience.”

“A lot of work goes into being in the parade, but it’s totally worth it. I enjoy being there with the team, preparing, glittering the hooves, it’s the small details that bring the bigger picture together,” she shared.

Inspired by her mother, who grew up riding horses, Peyton found her passion to do the same at the young age of 12. She joined the Norco Cowgirls Drill Team in high school and, over the years, has participated in the Norco Light Parade, Norco Labor Day Parade, and Yucaipa Christmas Parade. She’s also done several local rodeos with the team across Norco, San Bernardino, and Industry Hills.

Around the time she found her groove with the team, she also discovered a passion for dental hygiene when she stumbled upon the field during a high school research project.

“I’ve always wanted to work in healthcare, and when I was researching dental hygiene, it felt like the perfect fit,” she said. “After high school, I ended up enrolling in a dental assisting program to get some experience and make sure it was the right field for me.”

The dental assisting program pushed Peyton to fall even more in love with the field, prompting her to eventually enroll in ��’s Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program.

“I’ve really found my passion,” she said. “Just talking with patients and helping them better their oral health and their smile, it brings them so much more confidence. I love it”

Like the tight friendships she formed with the Norco Cowgirls, Peyton has built strong relationships with her cohort and professors at WCU-Orange County.

“The professors are all super approachable, and I have a really good friend group that I’ve established since my literal day one at West Coast,” she said. “We study together practically every single day, so I really lean on them a lot.”

Once she graduates, Peyton is looking forward to officially rejoining the Norco Cowgirls while also gaining more experience as a dental hygienist.

“I feel like I’m so lucky to have two great things going on in my life right now,” she said. “I found what I really want to do, and I just want to keep growing and becoming a better professional.”

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WCU Gives Community Something to Smile About During Dental Health Month

Anisa Lewis — Wed, 21 Feb 2024 17:00:03 +0000

In celebration of Children’s Dental Health Month, �� dental hygiene students provided free dental services and education to children and young adults at the 2024 Smile Camp Kid’s Day event.

“The experience that our students are getting from a community service event like this is invaluable,” WCU dental hygiene instructor Annette Stelter said. “They’ll be able to remember and reflect on this and take it with them every step of the way into their career.”

Held at the WCU Dental Hygiene Clinic in Anaheim, students provided no-cost dental services, including screenings, cleanings, X-rays, fluoride treatments, sealants, and therapeutic restorations.

“It’s really nice to know how to communicate with the younger demographic,” said WCU dental hygiene student Seleste F. “I think it’s really important to emphasize oral health at an early start so that patients and the community, in general, have better oral health in the long run.”

Serving more than 15,000 patients a year, the Dental Hygiene Clinic is open to the public Monday through Friday for all adults and children. To schedule an appointment, please call (877) 928-2546. For details on hours and services provided, visit our website.

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Alumni Spotlight: Finding a Rewarding Healthcare Career as Part of the American Dream

�� — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 21:43:34 +0000

Alumna Selina M.’s story starts very far from ��, all the way in her home country of Iran where she spent the first 10 years of her life. When her parents decided to move to the United States, it was with big dreams of giving their four daughters opportunities they might not otherwise have.

“It’s not easy changing lifestyles. Being in a Muslim country and coming to America is completely different,” she said of the experience.

When she immigrated, Selina didn’t speak a word of English. It took some adjusting, but one thing she liked about her life in the U.S. was the freedom to explore diverse careers. The move meant she could find a profession that capitalized on her strengths.

In previous jobs, however, Selina didn’t find the fulfillment she sought.

She realized something wasn’t quite right when she began getting the Sunday Scaries, anxiety that would set in when she thought of the impending work week. It wasn’t until she got a job at a dental office that the feeling changed. The Sunday anxiety eased. Instead, she found she genuinely enjoyed working directly with patients. Going to a job she liked made all the difference.

That’s when she decided to enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene program at WCU. Studying dental hygiene was her way of making the most of the opportunities her parents gave her.

Her educational journey, however, wasn’t without struggle. While in school, Selina lived in Burbank, which meant commuting around 130 miles per day to attend her classes at the WCU-Orange County campus in Anaheim. Fortunately, she became close with her cohort and found an amazing support network of classmates who came together to ease her commute when she needed it.

“They would ask me to stay with them,” Selina explained. “My few friends became like my family.”

Selina graduated in June 2023 and became a registered dental hygienist. “I went from moving continents when I was 10 years old and didn’t know a single word in English to finishing this program. It’s a great feeling.”

Now, the Sunday Scaries are a thing of the past. “I love going to work and seeing my patients,” she said. “I love the environment and the work I am doing.”

As for her parents who left their home country to give their daughters better opportunities, Selina says they are incredibly proud now that all four of them have graduated from university. “They know they did the right thing by moving here. They’re happy I’m happy.”

In the future, Selina’s goal is to get her master’s degree in education and perhaps even return to WCU as an instructor.

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WCU BSN Students Volunteer at Carnival for Kids in Anaheim

Anisa Lewis — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 15:00:00 +0000

Volunteers from �� helped bring joy to needy families this summer in Anaheim at the annual Carnival for Kids.

At the carnival, WCU-Orange County students and associates manned a booth with art, games, and prizes. They also handed out cold water and assisted with the first aid tent.

Hosted by the Illumination Foundation, a non-profit organization with the mission to disrupt the cycle of homelessness, the carnival was held at St. Anthony Mary Claret Church in Anaheim.

Illumination Foundation CEO Dr. Pooja Bhalla addressed all the volunteers before the carnival began with a heartfelt message, WCU Regional Clinical Partnerships Director Mary Sanchez shared.

“She said, ‘I want you all to realize that this humble carnival, on the grounds of a Catholic church, will be for these families what a day at Disneyland is like for us. Make it the happiest place for them to be today’,” Sanchez said. “And as volunteers, we gave it our all and there was nothing but smiles and gratitude from the parents and children.”

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WCU BSN Grad Takes Next Step as MSN-FNP

�� — Thu, 23 Mar 2023 18:22:18 +0000

Even with a lifelong passion to work in healthcare and a supportive family to back him, the journey for Nikolas to become a nurse was not easy — but he never stopped believing in himself or his dreams.

“Nursing is in my blood,” he said at the �� 2022 Commencement ceremony, before receiving his master’s degree in nursing, with a family-nurse practitioner emphasis. “It’s been a calling since birth I think.”

Raised in the Diamond Bar area by a nurse mom and her sisters — also nurses — Nikolas knew his whole life that he would be a nurse too. But, unable to find the right bachelor of nursing program after high school, he ended up “making a lot of pizzas” for a few years while completing his college prerequisites and earning an associate degree. Eventually, Nikolas enrolled first in the vocational nursing program at American Career College to “get his feet wet and get some experience” before starting his BSN.

“That was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” he said. “I would recommend for almost everyone to go through the VN first because that gives you the discipline you need to excel in the very demanding program that is ��’s BSN program.”

After graduating from American Career College-Orange County, Nikolas worked for a year as a licensed vocational nurse before starting the BSN program at WCU-Orange County in 2016. He graduated magna cum laude three years later, while working full-time as a nurse, and attributed much of his success at WCU to the early lessons learned at American Career College.

“ACC set the foundation for my nursing skills, for my love of nursing,” he said. “I said to myself ‘I’m just gonna go for it and keep going.’ And I never stopped.”

Even during the pandemic — when everything shut down — Nikolas said he kept moving toward his goals with the help and inspiration of loved ones and family, especially his grandfather.

“My grandfather was basically my father, the patriarch of the family. He helped my aunts and mom all become nurses, and he was the driving force that carried me along the way,” Nikolas said. “Shortly after I got my RN — that was his lifelong goal for me — he passed during COVID, and that was another drive for me to really do it — for him, and my family.”

With his fiancé’s blessing and active encouragement, less than a year after graduating with his BSN and while working as a COVID nurse, Nikolas decided to enroll in WCU’s MSN-FNP online program.

“My fiancé pushed me to become a nurse practitioner. She’s a pharmacist, so after I became an RN, she said, ‘OK, now it’s time – let’s keep moving forward,’” he said. “When the pandemic started, and I became an RN, it was a challenging decision to go right back into school — but I did it.”

And just as going to ACC and being an LVN had benefited his BSN studies, Nikolas said his time at WCU and the skills he learned as an RN helped him excel during his master’s program.

“It’s not an easy program but working with all these amazing nurses from all these different backgrounds is what really set the course for me,” he said.

Now having graduated summa cum laude with his master’s, Nikolas wants to instill hope into the next generation of nurses and is quick to encourage them to follow their dreams and never give up.

“This is the best decision you could make. And if you start, don’t stop,” he said. “Find friends, work together — you guys can do it together. We can do this together.”

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WCU-OC Alumni Spotlight: Willina D.

�� — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 11:35:00 +0000

As a Navy service member, a mother, and a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), ��-Orange County graduate Willina D. had to become an expert in balance when pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree.

“It was difficult. I lived in Murietta, traveled to Anaheim for school, and then San Diego for the military, and I have a 6-year-old, so it was a lot. I just made it work. I already had a goal in mind, got tunnel vision, and did what I needed to do to complete it,” Willina said. “Sometimes it was overwhelming. But my family and my support system are what really pushed me through to complete my program.”

At a young age, Willina knew her goal was to become a nurse just like her mother.

“When they used to have ‘take your child to work day,’ I would always go to work with my mom and I just became inspired by the nurses and all they did for the families to feel connected, loved, and safe,” she said.

Now as a WCU-OC graduate, Willina says her son is just as inspired by her accomplishment.

“He’s been included the whole journey. He knew when I started and when my finish date was, so once I completed, he’s like, ‘Oh, my mommy’s a nurse!’” she shared. “You could tell he’s super proud to be my son and I’m proud to be his mom.”

Willina’s next move is to become a Navy Officer, working in a hospital and continuing to serve her country.

“I would love to be a light to anybody that I encounter, and that’s my goal,” she said.

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