This past January, 15 undergraduate nursing students had the opportunity to provide nursing care to underserved communities in Costa Rica. The trip fulfills the clinical requirement for NU449 Community and Public Health Nursing in which students are given the opportunity to gather hands-on experience in their field.
During the Costa Rica clinical, the students collaborated with local physicians and pharmacists while working to provide care to members of vulnerable populations. The nursing students gained new insights while conducting home assessments, setting-up and running health clinics, taking patient histories, and performing physical assessments.
“[This] clinical is a unique experience because it involves the challenges of providing care in a different language, in chaotic environments, for different diseases endemic to the area” said Professor Melissa Brodeur, MSN, RN.
Students on this trip gain eye-opening perspectives on the global healthcare environment, allowing them to see what nursing is like in a vastly different part of the world. Working with various patients from underprivileged communities illuminates the impact of nursing majors’ dedicated and compassionate efforts.
“Being in New England, we take for granted our hospitals and access to health care,” said Caroline Heelen ’27. “On this trip, we saw the effects of poverty and limited access to healthcare, even for children. While this trip was demanding and required long hours, dedication, and effort, ultimately it enhanced my clinical experience and will make me a better nurse.”
In foreign environments, students have the ability to connect with people and gain new insights into their way of life and culture. This inspires nurses to be more well-rounded in their profession and as individuals.
“Everyone we met was so welcoming and grateful,” reflected Lauren Marsh ’27. “It was special to see how our impact makes a big difference in their health and well-being. This trip forever changed my perception of community health nursing and access to healthcare for differing communities. I had so much fun exploring the culture outside of clinical.”
Saint Anselm nurses are equipped with the necessary tools to treat all patients with equity and empathy. The Costa Rica clinical provides a once in a lifetime experience for these students by giving them the opportunity to assist numerous people in need of health care. While abroad, students connect with locals in the area, learn about the state of global healthcare, and obtain a new appreciation for their field of study.
“All of our clinical experiences are designed to focus on the role of the nurse working in the community,” reflected Professor Pamela Preston, DNP, RN. “The students were enthusiastic and motivated. They were cognizant of the limited resources and access to care in the communities we visited and were driven to provide care to as many residents as possible. The students, as always, provided exceptional care and we are very proud of them.”