For Barry Nursing Students, Grenada Trip Is an Eye-Opener

 

A group of Barry University’s senior nursing students participated in a study abroad trip in March, spending 10 days on the island of Grenada. With a schedule packed with activities, the students had one goal in mind: to educate local residents about health care. Working with Grenadian nursing students from St. George’s University, the Barry students participated in two health fairs and saw more than 200 patients. They provided blood pressure and blood glucose screenings and shared information about maintaining wellness.

 

“Most of them haven’t been to a physician in years and our presence might just be the eye-opener they needed to get on track with their health and try to live a healthier life,” wrote student Henry Molina in a blog about the trip.

 

The Barry group also talked about teen pregnancy on a local radio segment. Student Taylor Vallez and Assistant Professor Paula Delpech were interviewed about breast health awareness on a government television station. And while visiting the local hospital, students were impressed with the resourcefulness of Grenadian nurses.

 

“The conditions were quite different than what we are used to. They use whatever resources they have to get by. For example, they used sand bags for traction,” student Christina DeLeo observed.

 

For DeLeo and other group members, the trip was an enlightening experience.

 

“Most college students vacation to an island for spring break and lounge on beaches all week, but the seven of us chose to go a different route. We wanted to be a part of something bigger than just tanning by a pool,” DeLeo stated. “Our experience was so much richer. … I am going back to Miami a more culturally competent, compassionate, and resourceful nursing student and I am forever grateful.”

 

Despite their packed schedule, they did find time to relax. They visited a pristine beach, hiked up (then jumped off) Seven Sisters Falls, and enjoyed the delectable fare at Fish Fridays, a weekly seafood feast and open-air party.

 

To read more about their experience, visit www.barry.edu/blogs/nursing/grenada.

 

Barry University’s Division of Nursing is accepting applications for its nursing and allied summer camp set for June 9-13 at the Miami Shores main campus. The free, weeklong program is geared toward high school students in Miami-Dade health sciences magnet schools.

 

During the summer camp, students will participate in hands-on training sessions and explore the fields of nursing, cardiovascular perfusion, anesthesiology, occupational therapy, and the biomedical sciences.

 

To apply, students must currently be enrolled in high school and must submit a one-page essay describing their interest in the health care field. The deadline is Thursday, May 15, 2014. For more information, e-mail nursing instructor Lauren Schwal at lschwal@barry.edu.