Belize ServiceLearning Study Abroad Trip

1
Belize Service-Learning Study Abroad Trip

• YFE 497A
• Course Instructor Dr. Nicole Webster
• Department of Agricultural
• Extension Education

2
Research Focus

• To examine the partnership that exists between
  the Nursing faculty and the local hospital as it
  relates to students
• To examine highlighted areas of the nursing
  health care system in the hospital

3
3 Site Visits

• Nursing Students
• Nursing Faculty
• Karl Heusner Hospital

4
Objectives

• To interview students in the nursing program and
  examine their concerns
• To work with the Faculty of Nursing and Social
  Work at the University of Belize
• To visit Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital and
  examine the nursing system

5
Nursing Students

• Must complete four years (8 semesters) of work to
  receive their bachelors degree
• -Each semester is 16 weeks Lecture 15 contact
  hours for each credit hour
• -Laboratory 30 contact hours for each credit
  hour
• -Internship/Practicum 40 contact hours for
  each credit hour
• (1 contact hour 60 minutes)
• Must receive a minimum of 158 credits

6
Student Concerns

• Volunteering in the hospital
• Students want to volunteer however they are often
  refused because they have no experience
• The instructor must always be present to
  supervise when a student volunteers in the
  hospital

7
Student Concerns

• Not enough practical time
• Clinical Shortage
• Teaching is not up to par
• Shortage of Nursing staff
• No up-to-date books
• 75.00 fee for the use of the computers
• Need for Biology and Chemistry Lab
• No University funding

8
Student Concerns

• Stationary and equipment
• Can not check the most up-to-date books out of
  the library
• University of Belize linkage with other
  Universities
• -Students come from other areas however UB
  students can not study abroad due to finances
• -University sponsored study abroad

9
Student Recommendations

• Increase funding to help cover registration and
  book fees
• Improve access to the computer labs
• -Longer lab hours
• -Improve internet service
• -More computers
• Set up the classes with technology
• (ie. PowerPoint equipment)

10
Student Recommendations

• Provide school buses for the students
• New up-to-date books
• Dorm rooms at Belmopan
• Audiovisual rooms
• Student lounge
• Need for a well running dinning room

11
Student Recommendations

• Bookstore should be on campus and should sell
  school supplies
• Improve availability of equipment (ie. Ink,
  paper)
• Administration should listen to the concerns of
  the students and not limit the Student Government
  to just a few students

12
Nursing Faculty

• Chairperson of Nursing- Ms. Cynthia Guild
• 6 members in the Nursing Faculty
• Faculty members are well recognized and love what
  they do
• The Nursing program has recently been moved under
  the Ministry of Education

13
Nursing Faculty Concerns

• Short on staff
• Equipment that teachers work with is not
  up-to-date
• Short on book supplies
• No materials to enhance curriculum
• Must often pay for school materials

14
Nursing Faculty Concerns

• Teachers do not receive books on time
• No nursing library
• Paid leave for continued education
• Family factors not considered with pay
• Students may have to eventually pay to volunteer

15
Nursing Faculty Recommendations

• More classrooms
• Create a venue for faculty to continue education
• Improve classroom equipment
• Give teachers laptop computers
• Improve lighting around campus

16
Nursing Faculty Recommendation

• Upgrade standards of the school
• Encourage small scale business around the
  University
• Improve computerized university system
• Increase pay

17
Karl Heusner Nurses

• 150 nurses on staff
• Only non-profit public hospital that serves all
  of Belize
• Mr. Alvero Rosario- Director of the Nursing
  Section
• Internet library available to the nurses
• Unit managers evaluate the nurses twice a year
• -May receive a raise if the unit has improved

18
Nurses Concerns

• Equipment and Training
• Finances
• No maintenance for equipment
• No preventive approach
• Lacking basic necessities

19
Nurses Recommendations

• Improve hospital standards of quality
• Improve hospital equipment
• Need for more doctors especially those who
  specialize
• Need for expansion of trauma room and equipment

20
Personal Concerns

• Students are not informed about opportunities to
  study abroad
• Students must seek their own funding for
  international study
• Volunteering must be done with a professors
  supervision
• Students are denied the opportunity to volunteer
  in the hospital

21
Personal Concerns

• The fear that students may have to pay in the
  near future to volunteer in the hospital
• Students are not able to train on the best
  equipment
• Availability of equipment

22
Personal Recommendations

• Fundraising opportunities
• Student leadership
• Implement student organizations that compete to
  raise money for the greatest needs at the
  University
• Provide incentives that would encourage students
  to fundraise

23
Personal Recommendations

• Expand sports programs which could be a means to
  raise money
• Talent shows
• Parties
• Implement volunteer opportunities into the
  curriculum

24
Thank You!

• Dean Aaron Lewis
• Chairperson- Ms. Cynthia Guild
• Nursing Students
• Nursing Faculty
• Dr. Nicole Webster