Esteban Barajas

I am a recent BSN graduate of Azusa Pacific University. Previously, I received my Bachelor of Science in Molecular Cell Biology and Physiology Biology from CSULB prior to attending nursing school. My site is designed to give you a glimpse into my journey through life, science, and nursing.

Grit. Persistence. Commitment to excellence. Being a man for others. These are but a few important qualities that showcase my life and personality. They have also led me to my journey in becoming a Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner. My journey into nursing has been guided by resilience, service, grit and a deep desire to help others. Growing up in Inglewood, I witnessed firsthand the impact of limited access to healthcare and the devastating consequences of preventable illness. These early experiences, combined with my background in molecular cell biology, physiology, and clinical laboratory sciences cultivated both my scientific curiosity and my commitment to compassionate care. I aim to deepen my clinical experience across acute and community-based settings, gaining the skills necessary to provide safe, evidence-based, and holistic care. I envision pursuing advanced practice and leadership roles where I can bridge the gap between diagnostics, treatment, and public health. My ultimate goal is to serve as both a practitioner and advocate, ensuring underserved communities have equitable access to innovative care and education in the prevention and management of infectious diseases. Guided by faith, grit, and compassion, I see nursing not only as a career but as a lifelong mission. By combining my background in science with my calling to serve, I am committed to shaping a future where holistic care is defined by equity, innovation, and humanity.

• Preceptorship - Cedars-Sinai Hospital Beverly Hills (180 hours)
• Medical Surgical Unit - Foothill Presbyterian Hospital and PIH Whittier (360 hours)
• Critical Care Unit - Pomona Valley Hospital (135 hours)
• Community Health - City of Azusa Senior Center (135 hours)
• Pediatrics - White Valley Memorial (90 hours)
• Maternal/Newborn - Queen of the Valley (90 hours)
• Mental Health - Las Encinas Psychiatric Hospital (90 hours)

• BRN Licensed Registered Nurse in CA
• BLS Provider
• TeamSTEPPS
• NIHSS Certification
• Bloodborne Pathogen Certification
• IHI Certifications
• AVA Certifications
• Hospital Fire and Safety
• Faith and Spirituality SBIRT Training

Patient Centered Care
In my clinical rotations I’ve learned that good nursing starts with truly listening to the patient. In the ICU I saw how important it was to treat patients as partners in their care, even when they couldn’t talk much for themselves. I made sure to communicate with families and explain what was going on in a way they could understand. In community health clinicals I worked with seniors in Azusa and taught them about healthy diets for managing blood pressure. I learned that every patient has different values, needs, and preferences; respecting those makes them feel heard and cared for. Patient-centered care to me means treating people like humans, not just medical cases and symptoms which is something I have struggled with since I started at APU.
Quality Improvement
During clinical rotations, I noticed how much hospitals depend on teamwork and small improvements to make patient care safer. In the ICU I saw how nurses used checklists for preventing infections and signing off meds with each other. I learned that even simple things like improving how we chart or communicate can make a big difference. I’ve started to pay more attention to ways I can help improve systems and the macro movements. In the future, I hope to be part of projects that make patient care smoother and safer.
Safety

Safety has been one of the biggest lessons for me in nursing school as the NCLEX is essentially based on patient safety. In clinicals I always double-check patient identifiers and medications, and I’ve learned not to rush, even when things get busy. I’ve also learned the importance of speaking up if something doesn’t look right, even to people with more experience. I try to keep the mindset that patient safety is everyone’s responsibility, including mine.

Teamwork and Collaboration
Working in the hospital has taught me that nursing is truly a team effort. I’ve learned so much from other students, nurses, and even doctors. In one clinical rotation, a nurse took the time to show me how to use the ventilator settings correctly, and it made me realize how important it is to ask questions and lean on others’ knowledge. I’ve seen that when communication is open and respectful, everything runs smoother and patients get better care. I want to carry that attitude with me throughout my career as a nurse and NP.
Informatics
I think tech plays a huge role in nursing now and I’ve become more confident using electronic health records to document accurately. At first I struggled a bit with charting because every hospital uses different EHRs, but I realized how important it is for patient safety and communication among the care team. I also use online resources or my pocket textbooks to look up medications and patient
education materials. Informatics helps keep care organized, reduces mistakes, and gives us access to evidence-based information instantly.
Evidence-Based Practice
I’ve really enjoyed learning how research connects to what nurses do. For one of my class projects, I studied ways to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia and learned how small changes such as keeping the head of the bed elevated and how this can save lives. I also love learning about physiology and using that knowledge to understand why certain interventions work. In community health I used evidence-based education when teaching seniors about blood pressure management, diets, and exercises. I plan to keep using evidence-based practice throughout my career, especially as I hope to work in pathology or infectious diseases. It helps me give the best, most up-to-date care possible.

• Amir Goldkorn, MD - Professor of Medicine and Cancer Biology at USC Keck Los Angeles, 323-442-7721
• Helmie Teketay, CGMBS - VP of Molecular Diagnostics at Flow Health, 320-223-9727
• Krishna Desai, CGMBS - Direct of R&D and Quality at Flow Health, 470-819-8191

Cover Letter Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LmxYanagIsbx8yeYfMLjxH6JHYF6q18h/view?usp=drive_link