Loma Linda University School of Nursing News
January 27, 2000
Nursing student faces unique challenges as she pursues dream
Professional, caring, a happy, outgoing Christian. All of these words describe Deanna Boersma, a junior in the School of Nursing.
A typical nursing student, Ms. Boersma has completed courses in fundamental nursing skills, gerontology, pharmacology, and medical surgical nursing, among others.
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| At age 2 1/2, Deanna Boersma's feet were amputated when she developed gangrene in both of her legs after experiencing a nosocomial infection. Here, she is shown practicing with prostheses. |
She also has a busy schedule as she performs required clinical rotations on nursing units at Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda University Community Medical Center, and in several other hospitals.
What many of Ms. Boersma's patients and colleagues do not know is that she faces additional challenges as she completes clinical rotations in areas including orthopaedics and obstetrics and gynecology.
When she was 2 1/2 years old, Ms. Boersma was burned in hot water while she was being bathed. She was rushed to a local hospital.
In the course of treatment for the burns, she developed a nosocomial infection for which the wrong antibiotic was prescribed. The infection led to gangrene in both of her legs.
At this point, it was deemed in her best interest to transfer her to an intensive care unit at University of California, Los Angeles, Children's Hospital. The only option left was to amputate both her feet.
Then followed years of being fitted with various prostheses and physical therapy appointments.
At the age of 22, Ms. Boersma underwent a revision in which both legs were amputated further. Today, she remains a bilateral below-the-knee amputee.
"Since I was 5 years old," she recalls, "I wanted to be a pediatric nurse."
As the years passed, she never gave up on her dream.
"Kids are so resilient," she says, "and though life is sometimes traumatic, I wanted to work with and be supportive of pediatric patients."
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| While doing a clinical rotation on LLUMC unit 6100, Deanna Boersma, a junior in the School of Nursing (far right), assists classmate Christine Atienza with a patient's chart. Also pictured is Janelle Sylvester. |
She pursued her education at Chaffey Community College and later, at Riverside Community College where she received an AA/AS degree in general studies.
She began nursing school at Loma Linda in 1998. "I enjoy the pace of the School's program," she says.
"Since the School operates on a nine-week quarter system, we cover the same material in nine weeks that many local and state schools cover in 18 weeks."
During her time here at the School of Nursing, various faculty members, including Marilyn Herrmann, PhD, RN, have been valuable resources.
The only difference that Ms. Boersma has noticed between herself and her classmates is that, while on the nursing units, she cannot stand quite as long.
In addition to her coursework, Ms. Boersma volunteers with The Amputee Connection, a support group at Riverside Community Hospital, and also volunteers at Redlands Community Hospital.
She says that hearing her story gives the patients hope.
"Often," she explains, "sharing stories of my experiences of overcoming my handicap and some of the tough times I've had to endure helps other patients cope with their own feelings of hopelessness and fear.
"When I talk with others, I hope that they will become determined that if I have been able to make it, they can too."
After graduating, Ms. Boersma plans to complete her childhood dream of working in pediatrics, with the ultimate goal of owning her own business in home health care. Ms. Boersma is married to Sidney Boersma, a diesel mechanic whom she met in a Bible study group.
They have completed paperwork and interviews, and hope to soon adopt a child--something they have been looking forward to for several years.
School of Nursing releases autumn quarter dean's list
To earn a place on the School of Nursing's dean's list, students must complete a full course load (between 12 and 20 units) with a 3.5 to 4.0 grade point average.
Following is the list for autumn quarter:
Sophomore class
Christine Atienza, Kara Burr, Ivan Cruz, Kimberly Follett, Wendy Jacks, Flora Kang, Bryan Korgan, Denise Martin, Lydia May, Ann Mijares, Michael Miller, Dayna Mobley, Alicia Munoz, Monica Murrell, Dorothy Nguyen, Sarah Parra, Sarah Pelzel, Karin Pierce, Phillip Prieto, Joey Rewald, Apryl Ricard, Tricia Sigler, Janelle Sylvester, Jennifer Tieu, and Carrie Troesh.
Junior class
Melissa Andregg, Eva Arizaga, Lorraine Assumma, Jacquelynn Barnes, Tanuja Choudhary, Amber Coe, Sebastine Ebai, Karen Graves, Su-En Li, Quyen Ly, Amy Marks, Lori Nicola, Martin Nielsen, Damaris Nyirabaligira, Rosie Saran, Pamela Sircar, Judy Soh, Darrell Stucky, and Tosha Veiga.
Senior class
Earl Arevalo, Natalia Cairus, Krista Corey, Amanda Downs, Sara Hernandez, Allison Jackson, Elaine Joe, Martha Lopez, Angelyn Miracle, Martha Monge, Jennifer Neira, Linda Penix, Thanh-Thao Phan, Jonalyn Rastrollo, Sarah Ryan, Charleen Sanchez, Linda Schultz, Belynda Sorensen, Elizabeth Spencer, Mia Tagalog, Elena Thia, John Thornton, Sonia Tovar, Jennifer Villanueva, Abigail Villar, and Karen Zamora.
School of Nursing updates web pages
The School of Nursing recently updated its web pages. The School's homepage, located at <http:// www. llu.edu/llu/nursing/>, now has more categories and an updated look. The new categories include application information, faculty and staff, alumni, research, and links/ web resources. You will find the main categories in the form of interactive buttons on the left side.
The homepage now features a picture of West Hall with the new sign in front. You will also find a message from the dean and contact information here.
Prospective nursing students now have access to more information about the School and the various programs. The pages even suggest academic tracks for nursing students depending upon their interest.
The alumni page includes an electronic form that allows
former students to send updates to the editor of Loma Linda Nurse, the
School's official alumni publication.
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Revised
Tuesday, January 30, 2001 9:34 AM
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