PREPARING NURSING STUDENTS FOR A SHORT-TERM STUDY

ABROAD CLINICAL EXPERIENCE IN NICARAGUA

Mikki Meadows-Oliver, PhD, RNPatricia Ryan-Krause, MS, MSN, CPNP

Background

• Recent increase in US nursing projects abroad

• Many projects with undergraduate nurses

• YSN students all graduate- level advanced practice nurses

Benefits of International Projects

• Acquire enhanced global perspective• Gain first-hand experience of the culture of

the host country • Observe how culture impacts health care• Experience health care delivery system• Provide health care to families and patients

who might not otherwise receive care

Objectives of the Project

• YSN mission : Better health care for all through clinical care, education, scholarship

• Develop sustainable health services in a stable but resource-limited setting

• Educate health care professionals – students and local professionals

• Develop opportunities to share insights about similar projects

Ground Work

• Developed contacts in Managua, Nicaragua who were instrumental in helping to establish the clinical site.

• Initial site visit– Director of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program– Associate Director of the Center for International

Nursing Scholarship and Education.

Needs in Managua

• Students at La Escuelita– Live in Oriental Market district– Too poor to attend public school• Uniforms and books• Family situations

– Numerous health and nutrition issues identified by teachers/parents

– No regular access to health care

YSN Student Selection

• Application process– Good academic standing– Completion of Health Assessment course– Statement of interest and goals for project– Statement of personal contribution to project– Past international travel experience– Language proficiency

Student Preparation

• Independent study registration• Weekly student/faculty meetings • Education– Student presentations

• Culture, politics, history, health care, educational system

• Planning– Fundraising– Goals while at La Escuelita

• Group reflection time

Health and Safety Preparation

• Meet as group with the University’s bio-safety officer.

• Fit-tested for respiratory masks• Visit the travel clinic for necessary

immunizations and medications.• Prepare to travel to and from Nicaragua as a

group.

Supplies Purchased in US

• Used money from fundraisers– pediatric multi-vitamins– skin ointments to treat common skin conditions– folders and paper to create a “medical record” for

each child

In Nicaragua

• Housed at CEPAD Nehemias Guest House• Coyuntura• Historic tour of Nicaragua• Presentations on health by physician from

Accion Medica Cristiana (AMC)• Tour of Baptist Hospital (this year)• Set up the school for the clinical sessions

Clinical Education

• 7 students ( FNP, PNP, 1st, 2nd yrs of specialty)• 4 faculty preceptors

Goals of Clinical Education

• Understand cultural context of setting• Engage families in Spanish or experience use

of translator• Improve history and physical assessment skills• Identify health and developmental conditions• Develop acceptable management plans in

resource-limited setting

Innovative Clinical Care

Clinical Care

• Heights, weights, blood pressures and BMIs

• Vision screening• Complete social, health

and developmental histories

• Comprehensive PEs• Human figure drawings

Clinical Findings

• Similar incidence across three years– Respiratory conditions– Skin conditions– GI conditions– Cardiac conditions– GU conditions– Psych/mental health conditions

Goals of Teacher Education

• Empower teachers to promote healthy habits– Hygiene– First aid– Nutrition

• Instruct teachers in recognition and management of common conditions– Skin– Respiratory– GI

Parent Education

• Asthma care

• Hygiene

• Nutrition

• Safety

While Students at Nehemias

• Daily journaling

• Daily informal debriefing and reflection sessions

• Nightly student-led reflection sessions.

• Final reflection before departure led by Nehemias leader

Return to the US

• Met with faculty to have a final reflection period.

• Discussed changes that would enhance the upcoming year’s mission.

• Submitted a written account of their clinical experience.

Student Experiences

• Students commented on the increased clinical skills that they gained.– I pushed myself to do more than I ever thought

that I could do. I learned a lot from our preceptors who were knowledgeable and resourceful in finding solutions.

– I’ve certainly gained perspective, learned how to examine patients in less than perfect settings. This trip was a lesson in providing the best medical care possible despite difficult circumstances.

Student Experiences

• Students felt changed by their experiences.– The trip inspired me to make a personal

commitment not to let this be the only time I participate in something so wonderful and needed.

– I hope that I will never forget what I saw in Nicaragua and that I can find the strength to advocate for children who have no voice. The trip to Nicaragua was one of the best experiences of my life.

Goals for Maintaining the Vision• Identify strategies to integrate new

awareness into personal and professional life • Journaling• Continued contact after return with students and faculty• Informal contact among group members• Formal: focus groups, mentoring groups with next

group, newsletters, on-going projects• Curricular changes• Content reinforces themes related to social justice• Content includes comparative concepts ie poverty at

home and in international settings

Kirkham, Van Hofwegen, Pankrantz, (2009)

Conclusion

The faculty at the Yale School of Nursing feel that adequate preparation is the key to having

a successful and meaningful travel-abroad clinical experience and that there are ways to

maintain and strengthen insights gained abroad after return home.