Eight nursing students got their first hands-on experience working with the public on June 21.
“I’m having a good time,” said Christian Hurey while instructing members of the public how to sign in, fill out forms for body composition analysis, screenings and blood pressure measurements.
Students working on their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) are required to participate in at least six mobile health clinic events connected to their clinical studies, said Shinel Stephens, DNP. Those include Foundations of Nursing, Adult Health 1, Community Health, Care of the Child, Mental Health and Maternity.
On June 21, the students were one of several organizations at a Sickle Cell Disease event at ReCity Network in Durham, not far from downtown. After filling out registration forms, members of the public went to another table to have their blood pressure checked and recorded.
“It’s really cool to come into the community as a student nurse,” said Hailey Turner who was taking her turn with a blood pressure measurement. Turner aims to specialize in labor and delivery once she graduates.
Members of the public then moved on to other student-nurses who measured their height, weight, circumference and body composition analysis.
The final table offered personalized health education literature based on the screen results plus free water bottles and stress-relief balls.
The student-nurses undergo a simulated training before meeting with the public. At the event, the students are overseen by Stephens, a clinical assistant professor and Keisha Presley, a clinical instructor.
Also in attendance were several employees from the Research Center for Minority Institutions (RCMI) who are offering cholesterol checks. The RCMI is a part of the Julius L. Chambers Biomedical and Biotechnology Research Institute (JLC-BBRI) at NCCU.
“A lot of people are a little elevated (in their cholesterol),” said Jasmine Benner, a public health educator. “We recommend what you can do.”