In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, an exciting opportunity awaits nursing students at Southern University. They will now have the chance to apply the skills they acquire in labs beyond the campus walls. Dr. Sandra Brown, the Dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health, emphasizes that everything they do is centered around health and service. This new initiative will enable them to venture out into the communities and engage in more extensive community outreach activities, providing essential health screenings and healthcare directly on the Jag Mobile.

Empowering Nursing Students with Off-Campus Clinical Rotations

New $5M Gift and Community Connection

This remarkable development is made possible by a generous $5M gift from Our Lady of the Lake Health. It serves as a crucial link between the underserved areas of the community and the aspiring nurses. Tina Schaffer from the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System explains that the goal is to ensure that people in North Baton Rouge receive the care they desperately need while simultaneously helping students prepare for the workforce through clinical rotations. "We want them to gain hands-on experience, whether through their clinical rotations or offered internships. We hope they will join us and make a positive impact," Schaffer states.

Meeting the Growing Need for Care and Nurses

In a time when the demand for care and nurses continues to rise, Southern's nursing school graduates around 150 students each year. As the largest producer of the state's black nurses, Dr. Brown is delighted to bridge the gap. She highlights the importance of producing more culturally diverse students to serve a population that resembles them. This not only benefits the community but also offers students the opportunity to enter the workforce and achieve economic stability.

Economic Stability within the Community

Economic stability can remain within the community as those who love Baton Rouge and grew up here can come back to help take care of the patients and residents. With clinical rotations and mentors, Dr. Brown is confident that her students will thrive after graduation. "The opportunity for employment upon graduation is crucial. It's all about increasing the pipeline of nurses and getting them out into the communities to serve," she emphasizes.Students will be able to commence these expanded clinical rotations in the spring, marking a significant milestone in their educational journey.Click here to report a typo. Please include the headline.Click here to subscribe to our WAFB 9 News daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.Copyright 2024 WAFB. All rights reserved.