Beacons of Light: Sharing Light Through the Global and Population Health Nursing Clinical Practicum

CZECHIA

THIS YEAR

This is the 11th year that BYU College of Nursing has visited Czechia, this time with 13 students and 2 faculty members: Petr Ruda (BS ’09, MS ’15) and Michael Thomas.

Clinical Experience

The group members focused their efforts on understanding the Czech healthcare system and were mentored by medical professionals in urban and rural clinical settings. The group also presented to a veteran affairs group about nursing education in the United States.

Cultural Learning

Dr. Ruda, who is originally from Czechia, co-led the trip. He remarked that “students felt that they could somehow communicate with the patients,” despite the language barrier. Indeed, students made special connections with the Czech faculty and patients that they had not expected beforehand.

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ECUADOR

THIS YEAR

BYU College of Nursing has traveled to Ecuador for nearly 20 years, this year with 13 students and 3 faculty members: Scott Summers (MS ’11), Jennifer Rigby (BS ’08), and Hiromi Tobe.

Clinical Experience

Students primarily directed their efforts towards communities in rural Ecuador, addressing the needs of underserved populations. In addition, they worked with nursing students in the city of Ibarra and taught community health education sessions, with special presentations on youth nutrition, healthcare during pregnancy, and reproductive health.

Cultural Learning

The students interacted with different indigenous groups in Ecuador, meeting tribal leaders and getting a close-up look at ancestral medicine techniques in their culture. Fifth-semester student Rachel Kovacs said: "We’ve had the opportunity to work with people in cities where the Catholic church influences their culture, as well as those in rural populations, like the indigenous Quechua people. This helped me realize that people can live so close but have different values and beliefs. As a nurse, I’ll be working with so many patients from different backgrounds. It takes a compassionate approach—seeing people as the Savior would and getting to know them—to be able to provide competent care, not only physically, but also emotionally and spiritually."

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GLOBAL HEALTH NURSING - UTAH

THIS YEAR

BYU College of Nursing introduced this local practicum experience 20 years ago. This year’s participants included 10 students and 2 faculty members: Cynthia Johnson (BS ’00) and Brandon Thatcher.

Clinical Experience

In addition to clinical work, the group carried out projects in two rural towns: Moab and Blanding. In Moab, they worked with the Grand County Public School District in an effort initiated by graduate nursing students to provide dental care to elementary students. They also served people in Moab experiencing homelessness by spending time with them and collecting responses to a survey to see how their needs could be met. This was done in tandem with several community partners focused on serving this population.

In Blanding, students also learned about the culture and needs of the people at the nearby Navajo reservation. Students prepared culturally sensitive educational videos on dental health to support oral care for infants and young children. These videos are now required viewing for all mothers of new babies prior to being discharged from the hospital in Blanding. Lastly, group members participated in the Honor Flight program with US veterans from Utah.

Cultural Learning

Jacob Page, a fifth-semester student, was impacted by his opportunity to serve those experiencing homelessness. He said working with unhoused individuals increased his understanding of their situation. “I was impressed by the community they have among themselves,” he said. For all students, working with people who are underinsured or uninsured was eye-opening.

INDIA

THIS YEAR

BYU sent nursing students to participate in a nursing practicum in India for the ninth time. The group this year included 14 students and 2 faculty members: Daphne Thomas and Carly Peterson (BS ’99).

Clinical Experience

The group spent mornings providing nursing care at the hospital in Rishikesh. The afternoons were spent doing humanitarian work, such as spending time with children living in poverty and ministering to residents of a leprosy colony. Students learned from the innovative approaches of staff in the hospital and ministered to those who are often overlooked.

Cultural Learning

Though the Indian state no longer recognizes a caste system, Professor Thomas, who helped lead the trip, said it is still painfully present in the nation’s culture and mentality. As such, it is extremely hard for those in lower castes and living circumstances to obtain a better life. Although there are still biases in the culture, it was clear that Indian people place high value on kindness. “[It] is really embedded in them,” remarked Professor Thomas. People stopped to talk to beggars on the street and remained calm in difficult and stressful traffic jams. At one point, their taxi driver even exited their vehicle to rescue a small kitten that was stuck in the road.

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SPAIN

THIS YEAR

BYU College of Nursing has had a practicum location in Spain since 2017. This year’s group included 14 students and 2 faculty members: Sondra Heaston (MS ’05) and Matt Anderson (BS ’13).

Clinical Experience

Students provided care with Spanish professionals in various clinics. In addition, they partnered with nursing students from the University of Alcalá to do health presentations in various settings, including schools, a senior center, and church groups.

Cultural Learning

Christianity, mainly Catholicism, is deeply embedded in Spanish society and culture. This was evident in the way residents interacted and bonded with students. BYU nursing student Justin Kimball said, “Religion is kind of the center of life here. . . , and I think that’s reflected in their culture. The Spanish people are very open, very friendly, and easy to connect with.” Additionally, students learned about Spanish history, architecture, culture, and practices, including the Judaic and Islamic influences.

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TAIWAN

THIS YEAR

For the 20th year, BYU College of Nursing sent students to Taiwan. This year, the trip consisted of 20 students and 2 faculty members: Ryan Rasmussen (MS ’11) and Stacie Hunsaker.

Clinical Experience

Students provided care in an urban hospital in Tainan, the nation’s former capital. They also worked in more rural areas. What caught students’ attention most was Taiwan’s emphasis on holistic care. Doctors would regularly ask patients about the state of their lives, even their spirits, strongly believing that such matters affected their physical condition. “[It] was interesting to have doctors analyzing that with their patients,” said fifth-semester student Elyse Paulsen.

Cultural Learning

Students recognized the strong influence religion has on Taiwanese medicine. Elyse spoke about the influence of Buddhist traditions, such as karma, in the community, with many people believing that their actions can affect the health of family members. Small talismans believed to bring blessings and health are commonly hung at patients’ bedsides. If a patient doesn’t have one, the hospital can provide it.

TONGA

THIS YEAR

For the 13th year, BYU College of Nursing students visited Tonga. In Tonga, 10 students were accompanied by 2 faculty members: Sarah Harmon Davis (BS ’11, MS ’18) and Melanie Livingston.

Clinical Experience

Students participated in a variety of clinical settings, including three hospitals on different islands and several community health clinics. They carried out screenings for hypertension and diabetes and participated in community outreach. In Tonga, community health nurses typically go to the patients, so students accompanied nurses on visits through Tongan communities to treat patients. They even chartered a boat to more remote islands to perform hypertension and diabetes screenings and provide dental education.

Cultural Learning

Grace Edwards, a fifth-semester student at BYU College of Nursing, remarked on the culture of respect within Tongan clinics, especially in the psych ward. “Everyone was treated with the same respect and dignity,” she said. That respect extended to the BYU nursing students as the Tongan locals embraced their cultural differences and taught them about their own island culture.

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UNITED KINGDOM

THIS YEAR

This was the first year BYU College of Nursing has had a practicum location in the United Kingdom. The group included 11 students and 2 faculty members: Denise Cummins (AS ’83) and Shelly Reed (BS ’84).

Clinical Experience

Students focused on spiritual care with one of their university partners in Preston. They assisted with art therapy, collaborated with medical and nursing students on simulations, participated in virtual reality, and visited National Health System psychiatric units.

Cultural Learning

The BYU group had a unique experience with nursing students from the University of Lancashire in Preston. They spent the whole week with 9 students who had been selected from a group of 80 to learn with the BYU nursing group. Together, they learned about spiritual care by visiting different religious sites, attending lectures, and meeting with religious leaders. Rabbi Danny Bergson of St Anne’s Hebrew Congregation taught them about healthcare topics such as assisted deaths, organ transplants, and the handling of the deceased, all within the context of Judaism.

ZAMBIA

THIS YEAR

This is the second year BYU nursing students have visited Zambia. The group included 12 students and 2 faculty members: Cheryl Corbett (BS ’89, MS ’96) and Cori Reynolds (BS ’97, MS ’14).

Clinical Experience

Part of students’ clinical experience involved going home to home in the communities to provide care. Students recognized that clinic nurses were doing their best to be innovative and provide quality care with scarce resources.

Cultural Learning

Despite living in impoverished circumstances, the people have incredibly strong faith in God and Jesus Christ, which permeates even into the medical environment. At eight o’clock every morning, medical staff gathered in the hospital chapel for a daily devotional where they would sing hymns and have a Bible discussion.

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THE GLOBAL AND POPULATION HEALTH NURSING CLINICAL PRACTICUM is a vital and required part of our nursing curriculum. It strengthens clinical skills, builds cultural sensitivity, and prepares students to provide care in any setting.

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