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Posted: 12/18/14

TAMIU Nursing Students Take Top Prize at Service Learning Expo

 

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Their work promoting healthy lifestyles in three area communities led to Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) College of Nursing and Health Sciences’ Dr. F.M. Canseco School of Nursing students securing the top prize at the recent TAMIU Service Learning Expo 2014. Three nursing groups, all seniors enrolled in NURS 4522, “Community Health Nursing,” shared first place for their poster presentations of their community assessments.

“Nursing students have implemented service learning principles as part of their community health course for several years. The Service Learning Expo provided a venue for nursing students to share their service learning experience with the University and Laredo community,” explained Rose Saldivar, clinical assistant professor.

Natalia Garza, Jair Benavidez, Valeria Soliz, Courtney Mainhart, Candace Dunford and Noemi Rebeles

Texas A&M International University College of Nursing and Health Sciences Dr. F.M. Canseco School of Nursing students who presented “Cotulla, Not Your Ordinary Oilfield City” at the recent Service Learning Expo are, left to right, Natalia Garza, Jair Benavidez, Valeria Soliz, Courtney Mainhart, Candace Dunford and Noemi Rebeles. Students promoted fall prevention as a safety measure and influenza education for senior citizens of Cotulla.

Jair Benavidez, Candace Dunford, Natalia Garza, Courtney Mainhart, Noemi Rebeles and Valeria Soliz presented: “Cotulla, Not Your Ordinary Oilfield City.” There, students promoted fall prevention as a safety measure and influenza education for senior citizens of Cotulla, Texas.

Yvette Reyes, Clarissa Cubriel, Lysandra Garza, Tanya Sanchez, Marla Santillan and Echo Guzman

Texas A&M International University College of Nursing and Health Sciences Dr. F.M. Canseco School of Nursing students who presented “Sacred Heart Children’s Home” at the recent Service Learning Expo are, left to right, Yvette Reyes, Clarissa Cubriel, Lysandra Garza, Tanya Sanchez, Marla Santillan and Echo Guzman. As a result of their community assessment, the nursing students implemented a walking and exercise program for the Sisters of Sacred Heart.

Clarissa Cubriel, Echo Guzman, Yvette Reyes, Tanya Sanchez, Marla Santillan and Lysandra Garza presented: “Sacred Heart Children’s Home.” As a result of their community assessment, the nursing students implemented a walking and exercise program for the Sisters of Sacred Heart.

Gregoria Benavidez, Alexandra Ciszek, Ricardo Guarneros, Flor Peredo, Samantha Rodrigues and Karen Valadez presented: “Pueblo Nuevo Colonia, East and Forgotten.” For Pueblo Nuevo residents, nursing students conducted health promotion activities for Pueblo Nuevo residents which included a community health fair focusing on hypertension and safety education.

Saldivar said students utilized the “Community as Partner” model to assess the needs of their communities. They developed a collaborative partnership with community residents to formulate health promotion activities which addressed community residents.

“Community Health Nursing” emphasizes the development of knowledge and skills integral to working with communities—essential tools students noted in their poster presentations included:

  • Collaboration with the community is essential for change to occur.
  • The point of view of the provider is different than that of a community member.
  • Gaining a better understanding of community members’ view and perception of health services.
  • Long-lasting partnerships promote growth and change in a community.
  • Service learning experience helps influence how student nurses approach and communicate with patients from different backgrounds and communities.
  • Service learning is an experience that helps student nurses make a positive impact to the community and is a learning experience that will be carried on forever.

“Service learning is not about volunteering your time. It’s about making an impact in your community that will be long lasting,” Saldivar added.

Service learning at TAMIU is coordinated by the University’s Professional Resource Opportunities for Faculty Center (PROF), directed by Dr. Marcela Uribe. During Fall 2014, more than 500 TAMIU students were engaged in Service Learning Projects.

“Service learning provides students the opportunity to apply academic content in a real-world setting. Students are able to apply learned material as they work with a community organization, increasing their academic knowledge and civic responsibility,” said Saldivar.

For more information, contact Saldivar at rsaldivar@tamiu.edu or call 956.326.2573.

The Spring Semester 2015 at TAMIU begins Tuesday, January 20, 2015.

To learn more about Service Learning at TAMIU, contact Dr. Uribe by email at marcela.uribe@tamiu.edu, call 956.326.3133 or visit the PROF Center office in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 421.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu