Patricia A. Zarate, RN, BSN MSN Nurse Educator student UTMB School of Nursing

1. Patricia A. Zarate, RN, BSN MSN Nurse Educator student UTMB School of Nursing

2. Biography Born and raised in Conroe,Texas Assisted Caney Creek High school, Sam Houston State University, Lone Star College-Montgomery, and University of Texas Medical Branch Learned English in elementary school Played the violin for 14 years First generation to attend college Only child

3. Education • I began my college career at Sam Houston State university. I enrolled at this school because I knew I wanted to do something in the healthcare field and I still wanted to be involved in music. At SHSU I was involved in many extracurricular activities including the Freshman leadership program and SHSU association of medically oriented students. When I realized that I wanted to do nursing, I enrolled in Lone Star College- Montgomery to finish my prerequisites. When I got accepted into UTMB, I was thrilled because I knew that I was going to a school with an outstanding reputation in the medical field. At UTMB I was able to receive the assistance I needed through scholarships, and I met people who became my best friends and are now my colleagues. Throughout college and even when I was in high school, I always loved one thing: teaching. I genuinely enjoyed being able to assist people with schoolwork or explain something that did not make sense to them. At my current job I take pride as an RN because I am able to assist my patients into understanding their illness and how to better take care of themselves. I would like to continue to educate myself and grow in my profession and in my passion. I hope to use my master’s degree to better serve my patients and future students.

4. Education continued… • Associate’s degree of Science from Lone Star College- Montgomery- 2009 • BSN in Nursing from the University of Texas Medical Branch-2011 • Certified in PALS, ACLS, NRP, STABLE, PEARS

5. Work experience • Memorial Hermann- The woodlands, TX (March 2013-present) • RN on observation/telemetry/medical-surgical floor. Assessed and took care of patients who were direct admits from doctor’s offices and started IV’s and necessary testing on them. Duties also included admitting patients from the emergency room who qualified for observation status and safely administered medications. Prepared patient for procedures and test. Administered blood products and necessary infusions for bedded outpatients. • Conroe Regional Medical Center- Conroe,TX (January 23, 2012- February 2013) • RN on Medical-surgical/ Telemetry/Pediatrics floor. Duties include working with the adult and pediatric population in assessing and treating medical illnesses, as well as caring for patients before and after surgery. Worked on a floor with a diverse age group ranging from newborns to geriatrics. Safely administered medications through various routes such as intravenous, central lines, nasogastric, and gastric tubes. Carried out physician orders as directed. Monitored patients who were on telemetry monitors and assessed patients when abnormal heart rhythms were present. • Texas Children’s Hospital- Houston, TX (July 25th, 2011- January 9th, 2012) • RN on neurology floor. Worked with the pediatric population in assessing and treating various neurologic disorders such as spina bifida, seizures, cerebral palsy, and hydrocephalus. Communicated with physicians and other interpersonal members to effectively carry out patient orders. Safely administered medications for the treatment of various neurological disorders. Other duties included admitting patients to floor, discharging patients, setting up IV equipment, starting medications through a syringe pump, and administering feeds through kangaroo pump.

6. Teaching philosophy • Teaching and contributing to the improvement of quality of life of a person is truly an honor for me. To teach is to inspire and to motivate people to achieve their full potential. I realize that not everyone learns the same way and with this in mind I incorporate different learning theories into my teachings with diverse groups. This is done with what suits the learner’s need such as discussions, handouts, or the use of social media. After I teach my patients I reassess their learning the next day to see if they retained the material. My goal is to always reassess my students’ or patients’ learning in order to see if my teaching is effective and has helped them. I believe that if there is a good partnership and understanding between learner and educator, the relationship will benefit positively for both parties.

7. FUTURE GOALS IN EDUCATION

8. Education and professional advancement • MSN in Nursing education student- 2013 (currently enrolled) • Lactation consultant- IBCLC (need 1 more class for it)-projected summer 2014 • Clinical instructor (need more grad classes to qualify)- projected fall 2014 • Orient a new graduate or new RN to work (need one class for it)-projected spring 2014 • Assess educational needs on unit and organize lesson plan- projected summer 2014

9. Networking • Planning to join NAHN in fall 2014 • Chapter President: Jacqueline Crespo Perry MSN, RN, SANE • P.O.Box 355 • Tomball, TX 77377 • (H) 281-290-8565 • (C) 713-303-3087 • Planning to join in Spring 2014 • Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo • Scholarship committee • https://admin.rodeohouston.com/AboutUs/Committees.aspx