College of Nursing News
- Nursing students forge bond with senior citizens at Bedford Towers Complex
- "Translating knowledge to practice" course gives student nurses the power to make a difference
- Senior nursing students participate in Children's Health Fair at MGH
Nursing students forge bond with senior citizens at Bedford Towers Complex
Interaction with elderly residents at Bedford Towers housing complex in New Bedford was both personally and educationally rewarding for UMass Dartmouth nursing students from Attleboro, Westport, and Centerville.
Seniors Victoria Bayly and Kathryn Lesage of Attleboro, Kristy Wenzel of Centerville and junior Laura Massa of Westport spent two hours each week during the fall semester socializing with between 15-25 senior citizens, conducting blood pressure screenings and offering health education and nutrition seminars.
Led by Dr. Alicia Curtin, a gerontological nurse practitioner and assistant professor in the College of Nursing, the students recently completed their independent studies in the community and marked it with a December 10 celebration at the site.
Curtin said that with the "graying" of America, nursing students need to be prepared to care for older adults in all health care settings. Curtin has focused her teaching on the care of older adults at the College of Nursing's undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. "What students don't realize is that the majority of patients they will be caring for are over the age of 65 years. The program at Bedford Towers allows the students to apply their nursing skills, but also appreciate the positive aspects of aging."
"Translating knowledge to practice" course gives student nurses the power to make a difference
Master's degree nursing students from UMass Dartmouth are leaving their mark in the health care realm. A course called "Translating Knowledge to Practice," sends them into local facilities to partner with nurse leaders in the agency to improve practice and negotiate change.
Now in its fifth run, the program represents the culmination of their studies and replaces the thesis model, according to Professor Nancy Dluhy. "The trend is to move away from a thesis which is all theoretical and instead give the students more of a flavor of how they'll function in a team interdisciplinary situation outside in the world of practice."
As a final project, the students partner with a health care system with outcomes and see it through to completion. Last fall, UMass Dartmouth teamed up with Charlton Memorial Hospital and the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) of Southeastern Massachusetts, both in Fall River. During the spring 2007 semester, practice partners included St. Anne's Hospital in Fall River, the Southcoast Hospitals System, the Fall River and New Bedford chapters of the American Cancer Society, and the Greater New Bedford Health Center.
"Our students are embedding themselves in the community," said Professor Sharon Sousa, who oversaw the course. "They are working with champions to make a difference and accomplish tremendous things. They learn how to work with people and deal with resistance to change. This (experience) puts them at the forefront in community health initiatives."
Read the official news story, including examples of past projects
Senior nursing students participate in Children's Health Fair at MGH
Eight seniors in the UMass Dartmouth nursing program volunteered at the award-winning Children's Health Fair at Massachusetts General Hospital
Eight seniors in the UMass Dartmouth nursing program recently volunteered at the award-winning Children's Health Fair at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), providing parents and children with educational materials on child development, safety, and common health concerns. The UMass Dartmouth College of Nursing was the only college or university program represented at the fair. More than 2500 people attended.
The eight students are currently in their mentorship experience, a culminating internship in their program of studies. Four of the students, Catherine Jasie, Meaghan Farry, Jennifer Briscoe, and Nicolas Lavoie, have placements at MGH for their internship. They were joined at the fair by classmates Erika Rebello, Caitlin Gaudette, Ashley Dutra, and Jessica Osuch.
Dr. Kerry Fater, Associate Professor of Adult and Child Nursing, said, "The students were eager to participate in this wonderful service learning opportunity. We are proud of these students who shared their creativity, contribution, and willingness to serve the community, in this educational event."
For further info, please contact Dr Kerry Fater, Associate Professor of Adult and Child Nursing at KFater@umassd.edu or 401-849-7785.
