Yessenia G.

Rodriguez
8408 Quinn St. Downey, CA 90241 | (562) 449-9277 | ygrodriguez@email.arizona.edu

February 8, 2018

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

4650 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90027

Sr. Talent Acquisition Consultant:

It is my pleasure to write to you regarding the Versant RN Residency Program- specifically with the 5 West
Stepdown Unit. I am graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in May 2018 from the University of
Arizona. As a student who precepted on Diamond Children’s Hospital’s pediatric medical surgical unit for five
weeks I am well equipped to handle the time management, prioritization skills, and critical thinking required to
be a successful member of your team.

My passion for nursing comes from my eagerness to serve. Serving others brings me great purpose and energy. I
find inspiration in the liveliness and resilience of pediatric patients. This past summer I worked as a nurse extern
at The Painted Turtle, a camp for children with serious medical illnesses. Aside from expanding my knowledge
of disease processes and gaining experience in nursing skills, I learned how to interact with children utilizing
developmentally appropriate interventions. My summer externship gave me the opportunity to help my campers
become the best versions of themselves by fostering independence and building their confidence to help them
realize their self-worth. It is my intention to promote that level of growth in my patients wherever I work.

During my pediatric clinical rotation, I took care of a two-year-old refugee with failure to thrive whose mother
did not speak English. The mother had not touched her son since he was admitted a few days prior, however I
noticed a sense of longing when she looked at him. I found a translator and asked the mother if she wanted to
partake in her son’s cares. She excitedly said yes after thinking she had to let the nurses perform everything. I
made her a card which said “interpreter” on it so she could voice her concerns when necessary. The gratitude in
her smile and words stay with me to this day. I recognized her body language and understood that the foreign
tubes in her son would be intimidating to any mother -especially one in a new country. My actions empowered
her to know she was not helpless in caring for her child.

By the beginning of my fourth week precepting on the Pediatric Medical Surgical Unit, I managed all five
patients and performed my nursing cares with organization and timeliness. One of my strongest skills through
nursing school has been patient advocacy. I pay attention to detail, anticipate cares, and use clinical reasoning to
assess my patients’ needs.

Another skill I take pride in is my teaching abilities. Teaching allows me to empower patients and their families
by giving knowledge on how to cope with their illness, how to perform appropriate cares, and how to feel
comfortable outside the hospital so that my support of the patient goes beyond the bedside. I know I would leave
a great impression of CHLA’s values of compassion, hope, and excellent care to all the patients, families, and
coworkers I interact with. I look forward to learning more about this opportunity and further describing how my
skills and qualities fit with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Sincerely,

Yessenia G. Rodriguez
Yessenia G. Rodriguez