Recorded presentation

Beverly Byers, RN, EdD, Cindy Lutrick, RN, MSN, JoAnn Long, RN, PhD, and LaNell Harrison, RN, BSN. Department of Nursing, Lubbock Christian University, 5601 19th St., Lubbock, TX 79407, 806-720-7677, bev.byers@lcu.edu

Most nurses entering the RN-BSN program at Lubbock Christian University (LCU) have had little exposure to health care outside the acute care setting. An elective course Nursing & Rural Health Care affords students the opportunity to become aware of the unique public health environment of the state of New Mexico. Students and faculty travel together from the southern, to central and northern New Mexico to prearranged sites where health beliefs and customs are as diverse as the cultures, communities and environment.

The New Mexico Department of Health selects sites that serve diverse patient populations with a variety of health care providers and financial resources. The rural and frontier lands of the state hold a rich heritage of traditional beliefs and practices regarding health (wellness and illness) across the lifespan. Students are exposed to border health, Native American tribal health, traditional healing, midwifery and Oriental medicine.

The collaborative efforts of LCU and the New Mexico Department of Health have achieved a successful opportunity for nurses to increase their knowledge of public health by being in the field, experiencing cultures and interacting with knowledgeable health care providers. The value of the experience is echoed through students’ journaling and presentations. The course is rated as one of the best in the RN-BSN program at Lubbock Christian University.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the positive outcomes of collaboration between community health providers of New Mexico and the Department of Nursing at Lubbock Christian University
• Understand the unique and rewarding learning experience afforded the student through this collaborative educational endeavor
• Identify initial planning strategies to incorporate similar learning experiences in your area of practice

Keywords: Collaboration, Education

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation