Nursing students travel to Uganda, Guatemala

Senior courses in community health nursing at York College offer students the opportunity to choose study abroad as part of their clinical experience. Two experiences are currently offered: a trip to Guatemala and a trip to Uganda.

Uganda

Nursing students and faculty member Cheryl Thompson traveled to Uganda during winter break to work side-by-side with nurses at the CURE Children's Hospital of Uganda (CCHU) in Mbale, Uganda. CCHU is a 30-bed teaching hospital that specializes in treating neurosurgical needs of children with hydrocephalus, spina bifida, epilepsy and brain tumors. 

From Thompson: The students worked with the nurses in the various departments of the hospital, the ward, the outpatient clinic, the ICU and the OR. This supports the Hospital's need to provide teaching and support for their nurses, and our students got direct interaction with the nursing and medical staff as well as with the patients and their families. The students learn about culture and health care in Uganda, and share information about standards for nursing practice in the United States.           

We took with us supplies for the hospital that include repaired laboratory equipment and three patient monitors. We also had gifts and toys that we left for the children and the hospital staff. We stayed in a guest house on the hospital campus, so students got to work both day and night shift with the nurses. I did some staff development for the nurses, which is an extension of a project I am working on with the director of nursing.

Students who participated in the Uganda trip are RNs Becky Sandrik and Yasmin Erne; Johnny Raynor, senior nursing major from Hanover, Pa; Megan McWain, senior nursing major from Woodbury, N.J.; Marcy Picard, senior nursing major from Columbia, Pa.; Jennifer Brady, senior nursing major from York; Susan Cordell, senior nursing major from Fairfield, Pa.

Learn more about the experience by watching FOX43's coverage. 

Guatemala

Nursing students, along with nursing faculty member Audra Johns, teamed with medical professionals from the United States and from Guatemala to provide outpatient clinic services in Guatemalan villages. Students stayed with Guatemalan host families in Guatemala City at the beginning and end of the trip. They traveled with the team to a rural village where they set up and operate clinics that included “soul clinic,” medical, dental, pediatric and maternity services. These clinics have treated up to 600 patients. The trip is in conjunction with Living Word Church of York.

From Johns: We served in a Mayan village. The Mayan people speak their own native dialect, which was translated into Spanish and then to English. Our students made good use of their knowledge of Spanish.

Our students under my supervision acted as triage nurses. They completed physical assessments, determined past medical history, determined current health problems and current chief complaint. They offered emotional support. The students then sent the client to the appropriate clinic. Serving in the OB/GYN clinic under the direction of the doctor, the students performed PAP smears, completed pelvic exams, assessed pregnant women, and were challenged to apply their knowledge to imagined situations created by the Guatemalan doctor. They also worked with the Guatemalan and American medical personnel to see the follow up of their assessments.

Our team served approximately 250 patients. Our students supplied most of the toothpaste and toothbrushes, but the non-medical group did the teaching under the direction of the dental hygienist. Oral care is an issue for children in this area. 

All of the students formed strong bonds with their host Guatemalan families and joined in the normal family routines. Several went to small group Bible study with their hosts in Guatemala city. They found it to be different from their experiences in the USA. The students had an opportunity to see the Hispanic Christian service in action and attended a Sunday church service with their families. This mega church is 12,000 strong in membership. Our team was recognized during the service. The students found it very difficult to leave ... a few tears were shed. Many e-mail addresses were shared. Our students represented YCP well. They were able to be immersed into two different cultures on this trip.  

Students who participated in the Guatemala trip are Kyle Waite, senior nursing major from York; Katie Augustyniak – senior nursing major from Glen Rock, Pa; Denise Caruso, senior nursing major from Bristol, Ct.; Kimcuong Lu, senior nursing major from York; and Allison Piedmonte, senior nursing major from Orefield, Pa.

Photos and Johns' blog from the trip are available on shutterfly. (Free membership is required to view.)