After a train delay, BYU college of Nursing students and faculty were anxious for a transfer to their long-distance train. When they looked at the board and didn’t see their train, they realized they were at the wrong train station. They ran with their luggage to catch another train to the other station, expecting they might not make it in time before their train was set to depart. Getting tickets on the same day for 16 people was likely not possible. In their hurry, one of the students suggested that they pray. They prayed, and miraculously they arrived at the station before the projected time, making it on the train. Professor Sondra Heaston, separated from the group as they ran ahead, was directed a different way and made it just in time before the train left. The students and professors gathered to pray in gratitude for this small miracle. Spiritually unifying experiences and miracles like this were a regular occurrence on the Spain Global and Population Health Nursing Clinical Practicum.
In Spain, BYU College of Nursing students worked alongside nurses in a regional hospital in conjunction with the University of Alcala. Additionally, the BYU students also participated in community teaching and screening events.
Care Between Nurses
Spain is renowned for its nursing across Europe. In the U.S., studies have indicated high levels of burnout among nurses, often due to factors like staffing shortages and high patient loads. However, the professors and nursing students were impressed how happy and proud the nurses are in Spain. The nursing students reported that they felt nurses were very patient with them as students, as well as with their fellow nurses. “You can tell they love what they do,” shared Professor Heaston.
Their experience with the Spanish nurses made the students more willing to be in the hospital and try units they had not anticipated serving in. Hyrum Briganti, one of the students on the trip, even had a chance to have lunch with one of the nurses who had been working for nearly 40 years. Hyrum remembers the lessons that she shared with him. “She said that taking care of people is an honorable profession and that you need to feel the care from your heart and take the time to help the patient feel that love. If one task takes an hour of your day but is necessary for the patient’s well-being, then it should be done.” He was also impressed by how she emphasized the need for self-care as a nurse.
Another student, Aubrey Smedley, learned many new Spanish terms as the nurses were eager to share their knowledge. She asked questions about how to say medical terms like "tubing", “IV”, etc. while serving in the oncology unit. “They were just so surprised. They'd say 'You're so excited to get to know us by asking us all these questions, and we love it!'” shared Aubrey. “I got so close to these nurses over that two-day period, and I cried when I left that unit because I felt such a deep connection in such a short amount of time with them. They taught me to slow down and talk with and care for the patient.”
Hyrum was impressed by the Spanish nurses’ example of teamwork. “When one nurse was weighed down by patient load, it didn't seem like they needed to ask for help,” shared Hyrum. “Another nurse would just step in. Nurses there realized that it was a privilege to take care of people, whereas in the US we can get lost sometimes.”
Another clinical experience was putting on a health fair for ward members and friends in Alcala de Henares. The students taught lifestyle wellness practices including stress reduction, leading an active lifestyle, and following a healthy diet. They performed health screenings including taking blood pressures, screening for diabetes, high cholesterol, and osteoporosis. They also taught first aid skills including CPR and performing the Heimlich maneuver. The students bonded with members in a deep and meaningful way through this health fair.
Because about half of the BYU students did not speak Spanish, some initially struggled with this language barrier. Yet, they realized that they could take this lesson back home, as some of their future patients will not speak English. “It helped them to empathize. They realize how scary it is to not understand, and even more so in the setting of healthcare,” said Dr. Matt Anderson.
Professor Heaston saw the influence of the Spanish nurses on the students' camaraderie and unity. “When they get outside of themselves, I see them start looking at each other and asking, ‘how I can best serve you and help you,’” said Heaston. “I see them become more unified and care more about each other.”
“There's eternal value in looking for the good in others and praising it,” shared Dr. Anderson. “It is learning to have empathy. It's learning to have patience and compassion by seeing the divine in others. Learning from the nurses in Spain and how they treat each other with love and respect as colleagues, contributes to our students learning the Healer’s art. Sometimes we focus on it only with our patients. One of the things that I hope the students have learned is that part of the Healer's art includes treating your colleagues and coworkers with love and respect.”
Throughout their experiences, these students gained a deeper appreciation for other peoples and cultures. They also learned how to see and care for the nurses with whom they serve.
In addition to clinical experiences, the students had opportunities to go on cultural excursions and learn about the history/culture of Spain. They learned about the rich cultural and religious history in Spain by visiting several cathedrals and churches. The students grew in their respect for and appreciation for their fellow brothers and sisters of faith. Additionally, they were also able to visit historical sites and museums including the famous Prado Art Museum that houses the art of the Spanish masters.
Students not only learned during their time in Spain, but they also had multiple opportunities to give. For example, during a flamenco show, some Portuguese speaking students were able to help fellow audience members who only spoke Portuguese understand the meaning of the show. Hyrum, as the son of a Spaniard, was also able to help students understand the significance of a bullfight and other aspects of Spanish culture and food.
