During January break, 16 junior nursing students traveled to Costa Rica with two faculty members for eight days providing much needed care to two underserved communities. The trip was part of the NU449 Community and Public Health Clinical, a global seminar that combines a short travel experience with a credit-bearing course.
“Professor Brodeur and I thought the trip went very well. The students were enthusiastic and motivated”, said Nursing Professor Pamela Preston, DNP, RN, “Of course they learn about vulnerable populations, but it can be difficult to experience it first hand. The students were cognizant of the limited resources and access to care in the communities visited and were driven to provide care to as many residents as possible. We were very proud of them.”
On the first day in each community, utilizing translators, the Saint Anselm students performed home visits to gather information about the households and identify any members who might be acutely ill. The students triaged the sick family member to determine if they would be appropriate for their clinic, and if so, set up an appointment.
The clinics were set-up in nontraditional settings such as a community center and a school. Working with physicians, pharmacists, and utilizing previous and newly learned nursing skills, the students worked in groups to assess and provide care to the community members.
“Many of the people who visited the clinics live in poverty with limited or no access to care,” said Preston.
Abigail McGonigle ’26 said her favorite memory from the trip was caring for an agitated patient who came to a clinic very nervous and upset. She was showing symptoms and was observed by both faculty members and a doctor.
“With the help of the translator, we were able to help get more information out of her with questions, and using our assessment skills we were able to de-escalate her emotions. We were able to send her home with some medication and some donations for her children that would bring them joy and also get her better,” McGonigle said.
“This experience is something I don’t think I could have ever received in the United States and I was really lucky to experience it,” she added.
The Jean School of Nursing and Health Sciences offers several opportunities for its students to grow as educated citizens and caregivers through international experiences.
Last summer, 15 Saint Anselm students gained direct exposure to the Spanish healthcare system through a yearly Advanced Spanish Immersion and Internship global seminar in Granada, Spain.
During the five-week trip, students participated in a Spanish-language immersion course, lived with local host families, and completed a month-long internship. Learn more about the 2024 trip.
The college also offers a minor in Spanish for Nursing Majors which is designed to provide nursing, pre-med, health sciences, and public health students with an advanced proficiency in Spanish in a highly specialized learning environment.
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