Discarding the trip to a place most often associated with over indulgences, a group of School of Nursing students decided to follow a growing trend of spending Spring Break serving the needs of others while gaining useful career experience.
By partnering with Volunteers in Medical Missions (VIMM), the School of Nursing developed an alternative clinical experience that would allow students to complete the clinical requirements of Nursing 415 – Community Health Nursing. Instead of a beach in Florida, these students spent their time in Guatemala. This provided the students with real-world experience in both community health nursing and international healthcare.
The purpose of this trip was to offer senior II level baccalaureate nursing students an opportunity to practice community health nursing through an international experience. The goals of the project included practicing community health nursing in Guatemala, recognizing the impact of culture on the provision of healthcare in Latin America, and participating in an alternative clinical experience for the clinical component of Nursing 415.
The state of South Carolina has seen a steady increase in the Latino population in the last decade. Future nurses must be able to work with diverse cultures in order to promote cultural competence in the delivery of healthcare services. Nursing 415 teaches the theory and practice of nursing care to specific populations including the individual, family, and community. International health perspectives are a major component of community health nursing.
Students were required to submit a 300-500 word essay explaining why they interested and how they might benefit from the experience along with two letters of recommendation. Students were required to have at least a 3.0 GPR, able to meet the financial commitment and physical demands, and obtain the required immunizations. Knowledge of the Spanish language was preferred, but not required.
Prior to the trip students began a community assessment with statistical data, geographical, environmental, and topography characteristics via electronic methods. They were required to learn pharmacological implications for commonly used medications. In addition they developed an educational session regarding signs/symptoms of dehydration and how to prepare oral re-hydration solutions from common household products.
During the trip students worked in a variety of areas including de-worming, vitamins, pharmacy, triage, and fluoride treatment. They also assisted physicians with minor surgeries and a dentist with tooth extractions. While in Guatemala, the students conducted their windshield survey and interviews with community leaders. In order to gain a better understanding of the cultural context of healthcare, they conducted cultural assessments with native Guatemalans.
Following the trip, students submitted short essays reflecting on the trip. The students' responses to the trip were overwhelmingly positive with each one indicating that they would participate in a medical mission in the future. Plans are underway for a future project in the Spring of 2007.