Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Student Volunteer Service
By Maria Shearing, BSN, Clinical Coordinator
Our Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students who are currently in Community Nursing Health, studying in our School of Nursing at the American University of Health Sciences located in Signal Hill, California, are acquiring some of their service hours by providing education and food to the homeless, volunteering at marathons (by setting up medical and hydration tents), at soup kitchens, and at the American Red Cross.
As we continue to progress and move forward into a new normal for the entire world post COVID-19. I must say that we have been blessed by the powerful hand of Christ. We need to continue to stay focused in Him, on doing His great work and on not being afraid as He tells us in:
1 Corinthians 10:12-14 “God is faithful, and He will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing He will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.”
This is one of my favorite verses; He always sends us a way out. Our nursing students were some of the very few who were not stopped from attending clinical during COVID-19, and as we are moving forward post COVID, we have found some programs that need volunteers to assist with feeding those who are underserved, or down on their luck. Some of our BSN students have been blessed with an opportunity to educate God’s people with resources that are available to them within the community. Our students also have had the unique opportunity of completing a “windshield” survey; they basically see what it is like to be a part of the community they plan to work in. The idea is almost as if they are driving along and looking through the windshield at how many hospitals, schools and resources are available in that city. The goal is that, at the end, they will be able to do this in the community where they will serve to better serve and know needs. Our students are not only receiving an accredited BSN degree, they are volunteering with many different organizations: Beacon of Light, Pathway to Hope, American Red Cross, Doors of Hope, local marathons, and the LA Food Bank to name a few. Serving the underserved is key to our becoming the best nursing school in California.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Student Volunteer Service
