Education Innovation: CON’s Virtual Global Health Program

One of the ways MUSC College of Nursing skillfully prepares its students for the evolving role of a nurse is through its Virtual Global Health Program, which provides valuable global health experience without having to travel. Yesterday, MUSC College of Nursing ABSN and DNP students who took part in the program’s fall session did an outstanding job sharing their experiences with MUSC’s Student Interprofessional Society and Institute for Healthcare Improvement Group.

Under the guidance of Suparna Qanungo, Ph.D., CON Associate Professor and Director for Global Health, the 10-day Virtual Global Health Training Program partners with the Foundation for International Medical Relief for Children (FIMRC) to offer students tailored, online course modules on diverse health care topics like prevalent diseases, social determinants of health, global health care systems/policies, maternal-child health, mental health, pediatric disabilities, global health ethics and leadership in cultural competency. During the fall session, students also completed real-time case study reviews and virtual clinical observations with FIMRC site staff in Ecuador and Nicaragua as well as "Live Connect" sessions.

Falk-Griffin Endowment funds help make this rewarding experience possible. Below, students reflect on the program’s impact on their future nursing careers:

ABSN Students

“This global health immersion was a humbling experience. I believe being humble will help mold me into a well-rounded nurse. I will be more sensitive to other cultures and have more knowledge of diversity in the clinical setting. All these experiences will help me advance towards my nursing goal of being a well-rounded, competent, and compassionate nurse. There are some things that I have learned and plan to incorporate in my nursing practice. I plan to include any cultural preferences and what their needs are. It is also vital to be an investigator and ask questions. To find out if there are any social detriments of health that I need to be mindful of. All this information will collectively help and provide better outcomes for the patient.” —Laarni Sanders

“FIMRC opened my eyes to the different health systems present in Ecuador and Nicaragua and increased my awareness on the importance of providing culturally competent care. It was an awesome opportunity that I think everyone should experience!” —Mary Frances Elliott

“This global health experience will help me advance towards my nursing career goals by taking in cultural considerations and looking at different social determinant factors that could be affecting their health. Many patients don’t follow up with their treatment after they’ve been released from the hospitals due to barriers. As a nurse, we need to educate our patients and ensure that they have the proper resources and access to follow up with their treatments. Different cultures also view medicine and health differently. As a nurse, we need to respect their culture while still providing adequate care to our patients.” —Vivian Sayavong

DNP Students

“Although I had previous experiences with global health, I had never taken a global health class online. So, when I heard about FIMRC’s online training, I was eager to sign up. The whole course was excellent, but a few of the global health concepts that I learned during the training had a special resonance with me particularly: social determinants of health and maternal-child health…. It was a privilege to meet so many incredible health workers from amazing programs all over the world. Although the challenges facing the global health community are daunting, it was so encouraging to be reminded that there are many helpers worldwide who are making a difference.” —Heather Kellis

“It is a privilege to be able to help our most vulnerable populations. Understanding my role and acting with this intent is the foundation to growing my global health nursing practice. This global health experience has advanced me towards my nursing career goals which are to eliminate health disparities in settings around the world. FIMRC has provided education and training so that I can then use my skills to improve resources, education, and access to healthcare for communities that I will serve. I believe that being educated properly through this program is necessary before I volunteer abroad.” —Krista Ann Coppola

“The Global Health experience broadened my knowledge on major health issues amongst rural populations and allowed me to see how nutritional requirements will look different based off of food availability….I plan on incorporating the use of clinical diagnoses and using the food resources my patient has available in future nursing practice. The Global Health experience changed my perspective on patient care in that when working in rural populations, the health care provider may have to serve the patients needs in all aspects. This might include, nutritionally, psychologically, and physically. I will remember this program for its teachings to look at the patient as a whole instead of one body system.” —Lindsay Pugh

“I thoroughly enjoyed my two-week experience with the virtual global health program through FIMRC. These two weeks have definitely confirmed my passion for global health and I want to continue to pursue global health as a nurse practitioner after I graduate from the DNP program at MUSC. I have been on several medical mission trips over the last ten years, however being an actual nurse now with experience under my belt and learning through this program has given me a better understanding and different perspective on global health issues.” —Taryn A. Cutrona