UCLA Nursing Volunteer Program

US News and World Report 2020-2021 Honor Roll 📣

US News and World Report 2020-2021 Honor Roll 📣

The UCLA Blood & Platelet Center has been significantly impacted on the blood supply due to cancellations of blood drives and fewer donors on campus. If you are healthy and able, please consider donating blood at a campus location or at any blood bank in your area. For more information or to make an appointment at a UCLA blood donation center, please visit https://www.uclahealth.org/gotblood/

Meet our volunteers and program alumni who have recently been accepted to nursing school!

Congratulations to the Class of 2020! We are very proud of you!

Congratulations to the Class of 2020! We are proud of you!! 👊🏼👊🏾👊🏻👊🏿👊🏾 #rn #bsn #mecn #dnp #ucla #uclabruins

Please join CDU/DGSOM medical students, residents, and fellows on Friday June 5th at 12pm, as we stand in solidarity with those protesting, and together commit to change.
We will hold 8 minutes 46 seconds of silence in honor of George Floyd and other victims of police violence and systemic racism. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we ask you to bring your own face covering and stand six feet apart.
https://tinyurl.com/uclahcwblm

Please join CDU/DGSOM medical students, residents, and fellows on Friday June 5th at 12pm, as we stand in solidarity with those protesting, and together commit to change. We will hold 8 minutes 46 seconds of silence in honor of George Floyd and other victims of police violence and systemic racism. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we ask you to bring your own face covering and stand six feet apart. https://tinyurl.com/uclahcwblm

Congratulations to Franklin L., a program alumni who has been admitted to Johns Hopkins University! Franklin will pursue a Masters degree in entry nursing. Get to know more about Franklin below:

"I chose to become a nurse because it embodies a lot of qualities I have and what I hope to achieve in my life. For example, I was known as the "Team Dad" in a club at UCLA because I enjoyed being a mentor to make sure that other students, especially underclassmen, could feel as passionate about their growth in UCLA as I did. And I saw that same quality in nursing. Volunteering at Ronald Reagan gave me the opportunity to witness and participate in the close bond a patient their visitors build between themselves and the care team. And just like how young college students could use a bit of help and perspective to rise above the rigors of school to realize their better selves, patients need nurses to guide them on a path to recovery or as fulfilling an end to their life as possible, and I wish to be there all the same."

Meet Clarissa M., a program alumni who was recently admitted to CSULA for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Congratulations, Clarissa!

Read more about here story:
"My journey started when I chose to study accounting at a community college. I attended two community colleges and went to Loyola Marymount University for one year as an accounting major. At LMU I often had conversations with my roommate about her mother, who is a Labor and Delivery nurse in Pomona. Over the course of a year, I realized my heart was not in accounting, but in medicine - specifically treating and working with other people. My roommate’s mother let me shadow her, which validated my desire to pursue a career as a Labor and Delivery nurse. Since that experience, I became a certified nursing assistant and returned to my community college, College of the Canyons, to complete my prerequisites for nursing school.

I also became a postpartum doula, a path that fits squarely with my career goal - to pursue midwifery after becoming a Labor and Delivery nurse. I committed to begin nursing school at California State University, Los Angeles in the Fall of 2020 and I believe after my 3 years there I will be able to contribute to community engagement wherever I decide to work."

Meet Clarissa M., a program alumni who was recently admitted to CSULA for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Congratulations, Clarissa!

Read more about here story:
"My journey started when I chose to study accounting at a community college. I attended two community colleges and went to Loyola Marymount University for one year as an accounting major. At LMU I often had conversations with my roommate about her mother, who is a Labor and Delivery nurse in Pomona. Over the course of a year, I realized my heart was not in accounting, but in medicine - specifically treating and working with other people. My roommate’s mother let me shadow her, which validated my desire to pursue a career as a Labor and Delivery nurse. Since that experience, I became a certified nursing assistant and returned to my community college, College of the Canyons, to complete my prerequisites for nursing school.

I also became a postpartum doula, a path that fits squarely with my career goal - to pursue midwifery after becoming a Labor and Delivery nurse. I committed to begin nursing school at California State University, Los Angeles in the Fall of 2020 and I believe after my 3 years there I will be able to contribute to community engagement wherever I decide to work."

Meet Rosa R., one of our program leadership members who was recently accepted to UCLA"s MECN program. Congratulations Rosa!

"Hi, my name is Rosa Rivas. This Fall, I will be starting the MECN program at UCLA! My interest in nursing began as I volunteered at a nonprofit clinic, MEND, and I became fascinated by the connection and trust nurses built with their patients. I later became a part of the Nursing Volunteer Program where my passion for nursing became stronger and I became enamored with bedside nursing. After graduating from UCLA with a Bachelor’s in Biology in 2018, I continued to volunteer and I joined the Nursing Volunteer leadership team where I became the unit coordinator for 8E and am now the Director of Unit Coordinators. Through this program and all of my volunteer experiences, I have gained amazing insight into nursing as well as mentors who along with family, have guided me throughout my pre-nursing journey. Both my educational and volunteering experiences have been stepping stones towards my dream of becoming a nurse. With the experience and knowledge I have gained in my pre-nursing journey, I am beyond grateful and excited to begin nursing school."

Meet Melissa M., a Nursing Volunteer Program alumni who will be pursuing a Masters degree in entry nursing at Arizona State University!

"Hello! My name is Melissa Maneatis. I was part of the nursing volunteer program from October 2018 to October 2019 dedicating 216 hours on three different units. I became a nursing volunteer in the fall of my Junior year at UCLA. While working toward earning my degree in Psychology I also competed as a Pole Vaulter for the UCLA Track and Field team. I chose to become a nursing volunteer to learn more about the field of nursing and to get direct patient care experience. After graduating from UCLA I began applying for both accelerated Bachelor’s and entry level Master's nursing programs throughout the west coast. I ultimately chose to accept admission to attend Arizona State University for their MS Nursing (Entry to Practice) Program. I am so grateful for the valuable experience, knowledge and confidence I gained during my time as a Nursing volunteer!"

Melissa M. - ASU MSN, Entry

"Hello! My name is Melissa Maneatis I was part of the nursing volunteer program from October 2018 to October 2019 dedicating 216 hours on three different units. I became a nursing volunteer in the fall of my Junior year at UCLA. While working toward earning my degree in Psychology I also competed as a Pole Vaulter for the UCLA Track and Field team. I chose to become a nursing volunteer to learn more about the field of nursing and to get direct patient care experience. After graduating from UCLA I began applying for both accelerated Bachelor’s and entry level Master's nursing programs throughout the west coast. I ultimately chose to accept admission to attend Arizona State University for their MS Nursing (Entry to Practice) Program. I am so grateful for the valuable experience, knowledge and confidence I gained during my time as a Nursing volunteer!"

Meet Francis P., a program alumni who has recently been accepted to nursing school at CSULA!

"I will be attending CSULA's Accelerated Bachelor's in Nursing program starting June 2020. Nursing was something I had always considered throughout high school, especially after volunteering with children with developmental delays/disabilities. However, I also wanted to explore the biological sciences at the university level. While working in early childcare/education and research labs, I earned a degree at UCLA in Human Biology and Society, B.S. Afterwards, I worked in R&D for biofuel production technologies and later transitioned to cancer therapy strategies. I took a majority of my nursing school prerequisites within the LACC system while working and volunteered through the Nursing Volunteer Program when the course load wasn't too cumbersome, during which I found myself really fitting into the PEDS unit. Although I'm unsure whether I'll continue on to a master's degree immediately after the end of my program, I feel quite prepared and excited to study nursing to take all of my accumulated skills into the field."

Francis P. - CSULA ABSN

"I will be attending CSULA's Accelerated Bachelor's in Nursing program starting June 2020. Nursing was something I had always considered throughout high school, especially after volunteering with children with developmental delays/disabilities. However, I also wanted to explore the biological sciences at the university level. While working in early childcare/education and research labs, I earned a degree at UCLA in Human Biology and Society, B.S. Afterwards, I worked in R&D for biofuel production technologies and later transitioned to cancer therapy strategies. I took a majority of my nursing school prerequisites within the LACC system while working and volunteered through the Nursing Volunteer Program when the course load wasn't too cumbersome, during which I found myself really fitting into the PEDS unit. Although I'm unsure whether I'll continue on to a master's degree immediately after the end of my program, I feel quite prepared and excited to study nursing to take all of my accumulated skills into the field."

Check out this wonderful story from one of our program alumni, now a Care Partner at Ronald Reagan! "It's never too late to follow your dreams"

Working during this pandemic has been intense. We are doing our best to protect our patients, our coworkers, and ourselves. In between vital checks and room organization, we hold the patient’s hand and wipe their tears. We are Nurse, Care Partner, etc. AND stand-in family member. In between phone calls and medication, there’s prayer ...and more phone calls. There are times of frustration. Sigh. In between documentation, there’s joy, there’s sorrow. We get overwhelmed... breeeathe, relax. Thoughtful people have donated things like food to sustain us. Thank you...mmmm!! During this pandemic, times are trying! However, everyone comes together within and outside of these walls to support one another. I think that’s the silver lining of it all. In taking care of my mom, I decided I wanted to become an RN. I have a Bachelors Degree in Business so that is my background. Nursing is a complete career change! I wanted to do something rewarding; where I could make a difference in someone’s life. I had some questions as to what path to take, so I visited the Nursing Program at UCLA. It was there that I learned about the UCLA Nursing Volunteer Program. I applied and was accepted into this fantastic program. Khanh, the Unit Coordinators, and everyone were so supportive. I volunteered on 7E/5E, 8E, and 6N. Nurses and Care Partners were so welcoming and thankful we were there. I learned so much while volunteering. I think one of the most valuable lessons I learned as a volunteer was through a homeless patient who taught me the depth of the need for human companionship and kindness, through his stuffed animal which he considered his buddy. So, each day, I aim to show that I care. This past November, I was fortunate enough to get hired as a Admin./Clinical Care Partner on the floor inwhich I did my last rotation as a Nursing Volunteer! I volunteered and work with a group of incredibly kind people that want you to succeed! Excellence. I am currently on the 3rd of 4 prerequisites. After which, I can apply to Nursing School to be an RN-my dream career! I’m blessed and thankful to have both volunteered for and be employed here at UCLA. I love UCLA! It’s never too late to follow

We are proud to spotlight another round of our volunteers and alumni for their acceptance to nursing schools! Congratulations to the following individuals!

Michelle K. - UCLA Masters Entry Clinical Nursing
Breanna D. - California State University Los Angeles, Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Courtney C. - University of San Diego Master's Entry Program in Nursing
Jelci B. - UCLA Masters Entry Clinical Nursing
Gabriela B. - UCLA Masters Entry Clinical Nursing
Mitzy S. - California State University Northridge, Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

** If you have recently been accepted to nursing, medical, PA, or any other health profession school and would like to be spotlighted, please let Khanh know at [email protected].

The Nursing Volunteer Program would like to congratulate the following individuals on their acceptance to nursing school! We are proud and excited to spotlight the achievements of several program volunteers and alumni over the next few days!

Rosa R. - UCLA Masters Entry Clinical Nursing
Franklin L. - Johns Hopkins Master of Science in Nursing, Entry into Nursing
Melissa M. - Arizona State University Master of Science Entry into Nursing Practice
Imelda M. - UCLA Masters Entry Clinical Nursing
Clarissa M. - California State University Los Angeles, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Francis P. - California State University Los Angeles, Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing

If you have recently been accepted to nursing, medical, PA, or any other health profession school and would like to be spotlighted, please let Khanh know at [email protected].

Meet Desiree and Peter, Nursing Volunteer Alumni currently working at the frontline on a dedicated COVID unit here at UCLA Health.
Peter shares, “I would just like to say that through all this, we've become stronger individually and built a special camaraderie. Together we can!”

Thank you for all that you do!!!!!
Desiree Q., Mount Saint Mary's University alumni and Peter L., West Coast University alumni

Meet Desiree and Peter, Nursing Volunteer Alumni’s currently working at the frontline on a dedicated COVID unit here at UCLA Health. Peter shares “I would just like to say that through all this, we've become stronger individually and built a special camaraderie. Together we can!” Thank You for all that you do!!!!! Desiree Q., MSMU alumni and Peter L., WCU alumni

Happy Nurses Week to our nursing students and their colleagues!

"Hello! My name is Cassandra M. and I am a 3rd year BS nursing student here at UCLA. I’m also a Nursing Volunteer and Unit Coordinator for 7N and 7ICU.
I’ve recently returned to the hospital to continue my Med Surg rotations. After being quarantined since Spring Break, I was eager to return the bedside and connect with patients, all while learning about how to support them during this time. As a nursing student I am not directly caring for COVID-19 patients, but I am so grateful for all of the physicians, nurses, and other healthcare workers who are working tirelessly on the front lines. I could not be more proud and honored to be a future nurse."

We appreciate the nursing staff, nursing students and their colleagues during this time. Happy Nurses Appreciation Week!

Its National Nurses Week, and today is National Nurses Day! 2020 is the year of the NURSE and we spotted the most famous nurse, Florence Nightingale, rounding on the nursing staff today here at UCLA Health!

On behalf of all our volunteers, THANK YOU to all our nurses!

Happy Volunteer Week! Congratulations Tiffany on receiving the UCLA Health Auxiliary Award, 2020. Thank you for your contribution to our patients and nursing, we appreciate you!

Maria and Rosa are sisters in the nursing volunteer program who, through this program, have enjoyed their time while finding growth towards their dream profession. Maria states that, “as a nursing student I am able to enhance my skills interacting with patients and observing nurses in action, further motivating me in my studies”. As Rosa begins nursing school this coming fall, her experience in leadership and weekly shifts have furthered her passion and enhanced her skills towards nursing school. Finding guidance and mentorship in this program, they are very grateful for the opportunity to assist patients and learn from wonderful nurses and staff following the CICARE model. Maria is currently a nursing student at CSULA and Rosa will be starting nursing this fall at UCLA MECN.
Thank you for your contribution and commitment to UCLA Health. Happy Volunteer Appreciation Week!

Meet Daniel Z., recipient of the UCLA Health Auxiliary Award, 2020.

"Volunteering at the Ronald Reagan Medical Center has been an extremely rewarding, enriching experience, and I cannot express how grateful I am to be a part of the nursing volunteering program. My family and I were very excited to hear the news of the award, and we offer our sincerest thanks for making this possible. This scholarship will be used to further my undergraduate education, helping me progress towards my aspirations in medicine and research.

I am a second-year undergraduate student at the UCLA pursuing a major in Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology (MCDB) with a specialization in computing and a minor in statistics. As I progress through my undergraduate career, I hope to further explore my interests in medicine and research, with an ultimate goal of pursuing graduate or medical school. Outside of academics and hospital volunteering, I am part of the Fellowship for International Service and Health (FISH). In FISH, I help run blood pressure screening and consultation health fairs in Maclovio Rojas, Mexico. As part of the Research and Development team, I analyze demographic data about Maclovio to learn ways in which we can better serve the community. Also, through FISH, I volunteer at the Hollywood Food Coalition, a food shelter in Los Angeles. This quarter, I gained membership in the UCLA chapter of Team HBV, a student-run organization dedicated to spreading awareness about Hepatitis B and liver cancer. As I enter my third year at UCLA, I plan to get involved in wet laboratory research under the MCDB department and, thanks to my positive experiences as a Learning Assistant, become a Peer Learning Facilitator at UCLA."

Congratulations Daniel for your excellent work as a volunteer at UCLA Health!

HAPPY NURSING VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK!

April 19 – April 25 marks the 2020 National Volunteer Appreciation Week! Although volunteer activities are currently on hold, we would like to take this time to recognize and celebrate our volunteers. Thank you to all our volunteers for your commitment to UCLA Health!

Welcome to the re-launched UCLA Nursing Volunteer page! This page aims present the latest news on our program, as well as connect current volunteers, alumni, and members of our community. Be sure to give us a "Like" so you don't miss an update!