University of Lethbridge students were engaged in the promotion of health across the community as part of their clinical training this past semester, which included partnering with multiple local organizations. (File photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

University of Lethbridge nursing students engaging in community service

Dec 13, 2023 | 2:18 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Nursing students at the University of Lethbridge (U of L) are promoting healthy lives.

The students were engaged in the promotion of health across the community as part of their clinical training this past semester, which included partnering with multiple local organizations.

Participating students were in the Praxis in Health Promotion classes taught by Shannon Vandenberg and Morgan Magnuson.

Students partnered with several community organizations, including Streets Alive, McMan Youth, Family and Community Services Association, and River House to engage with homeless people, and those living with or recovering from substance abuse.

Vandenberg said, “This is a remarkable and eye-opening experience for our students, where they had many opportunities to provide empathetic care for unhoused people exposed to an unregulated drug supply that is increasingly toxic and unpredictable.”

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She added, “Their enhanced knowledge of harm reduction, trauma-informed care, healthy public policy, and appreciating the importance of lived experiences, empathy, and implicit bias will benefit students as they enter nursing practice.”

While working with the organizations, the students participated in multiple activities, including collecting winter clothing, sharing information about preventing and treating frostbite, and creating first-aid kits. They also helped distribute supplies, clothing and snacks, and volunteered at the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen.

Hannah Mallette, a nursing student said, “My semester working in the community has been an incredible learning experience, I have learned that it is vital to maintain a genuine, non-judgmental approach to care for each client because this approach goes a long way when building relationships and trust with clients.”

Another instructor, Trenna Devoy, worked to educate students about Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and the importance of consent to eliminate gender-based violence. There, the students used social marketing strategies such as an Instagram takeover, digital screens, posters and a health booth, to reach as many students as possible.

Another group of Devoy’s students partnered with the U of L Housing department and students living in residence. They focused on stress management and life skills like time management, budgeting, nutrition and cooking, by holding one-on-one sessions.

Nursing student Mitchell Gruber said, “Reading some of the responses we got from participants in our stress management workshop and cooking class gave my groupmates and me a sense of pride and satisfaction that we were able to provide something that participants not only enjoyed, but also found helpful.”

Other groups of students worked with the Nordbridge Seniors Centre, Lethbridge College’s health centre, and several schools.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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