Most nursing programs have a commitment to social justice. This concept introduces students to the inequalities that exist in our society and as a backdrop to the public health needs of our citizens. Students engage in a number of clinical assignments during the course of their education, caring for individuals, families, and communities from some of the most disadvantaged areas in the state. They discuss social policy and the role of nurses as advocates and find themselves challenged to provide basic healthcare, when the needs of our citizens are overwhelming.
As South Floridians, we can appreciate the challenges of providing equal healthcare to all, as Miami now has the dubious honor of ranking 5th poorest among the large cities of this country. And yet, the spirit of Ms. Nightingale lives on. For in these students resides a spirit of social justice and a “can do” attitude, when resources are few.
Over the past three years, senior nursing students at Barry University have provided aid to people for their health needs in communities across Miami-Dade and Broward counties. They work in teams to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate population-based healthcare needs of underserved communities. Throughout their program they are engaged in community activities which culminate into a final project during their final leadership class.
Everything they have learned along the way about health risks, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and community assessment culminate into a capstone assignment. Students witness the outcomes of their community projects to the University community through poster presentations during the Senior Capstone Leadership Day held on campus. Students spend time in selected communities, meet with community members and leaders and determine their most pressing healthcare needs. Then they create a plan of action for educating the community to minimize risks in an effort to promote optimal health.
Some examples of students creativity, and resourcefulness in bringing healthcare to communities include a radio spot recorded in Creole addressing the need for safe sex which aired across the local Haitian community, a website filled with educational resources for health promotion and disease prevention for a community outreach service, a database to enroll and gain access to needed health resources for young children, and designing, narrating and video recording a DVD about the life saving uses of Automatic Defibrillator Devices. In April of this year, a Community Health Expo serving the City of Oakland Park was held. This project was an interdisciplinary collaboration to provide free health screening and immunizations for 150 to 200 residents. Leslie Peguero, one of the senior student nurses who served as a leader for the Health Expo described the value of this experience to her future role as a Registered Nurse. Other projects have focused on age specific health needs such as safety measures for children, and nutritional needs for the elderly.
The experiences of analyzing community health needs, communicating with public officials and other critical stakeholders, developing a strategic plan, marketing their health initiatives, searching for cost effective ways to help implement their project and critically evaluating their effectiveness have served to foster valuable lessons. For example, upon reflection, students comment that they truly understand how a nurse can make a difference and the importance of working together as a team. They also gain a greater awareness of community resources which will serve them well as nurses working toward building a healthier tomorrow.
Senior nursing students at Barry University have shown the empowering role of a nurse on the health of a community through advocacy in action. This truly is a living legacy which honors the life and vision of Florence Nightingale and many other heroic leaders.
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