Tony Leon

NUR 4116P

Mrs. Chidley

April 17, 2020

Post Care-a-van Reflection

My three practicum experiences took place before midterm. I attended the Hull Street (Ramsey

United Methodist Church) location two times and Sacred Heart School location once. From those

experiences as well as my research in the Windshield project I observed many things, learned a great

deal, and had the opportunity to serve. I had the opportunity to see many individual patients from an

underserved population. Although there were a variety of backgrounds included, the large majority of

the patients that I saw come through the Care-a-van process were Spanish speaking from Central

America. Many of these I learned were recent immigrants.

As a student observer of the Care-a-van I also had the privilege to assist with the basic functions

of the Care-a-van as the charge nurse that day saw fit. In my times there I had the ability to observe and

or assist at each of the stations in the patient flow. On all three occasions I assisted unloading the van

with equipment and supplies from laptops, printers, and electrical cords. I also assisted in setting up

tables and chairs as well as procuring the privacy screens from a part of the churches and setting them

up at the patient stations.

This experiencing has been eye-opening in many ways. I come from a lower middle-class

background. Although I didn’t have a lot of extra money for luxuries growing up, I never had to do

without the basics of food, water, or medical care. In many ways I was relatively sheltered from seeing

those who are in that spot. However, this experience has exposed to a vulnerable population whose

members do not necessarily take those things for granted. It has certainly enhanced my compassion for

this population.
 Many of these clients are uninsured and have difficulty paying for healthcare. Many live in areas

that do not have many healthy food options, health facilities (like gyms), or transportation to access

those services. It is nice to see the Care-a-van there to assist these patients with health promotion,

basic medical care, and information as to community, state, and federal resources of assistance. Even

so, the need is greater than what the Care-a-van alone can provide.

As a member of BSMCON and a participator in the Care-a-van I feel that I was limited in what I

could do to help or in what gifts I had to offer. I resolved that the best that I could do was to offer myself

fully to serve as the needs of the “unit” demanded (within my scope of practice) each time I was there.

It didn’t matter what form it took, as alluded to above whether physical labor, set-up, putting things

away at the end of the day, or checking a patient’s vital signs. One of my favorite tasks was to welcome

the patient’s as they walked in the door if I happened to be in the vicinity. I hope that a friendly smile

along with pointing them in the direction to get their care started has made a difference.

This experience has given me broadened perspective which has affected my academic, personal,

and professional life. It’s easy sometimes when in school to get tunnel-vision and think that each test or

project is everything. In that mindset it is easy to take your eyes off of others and just ‘survive.’ Seeing

this population has helped me to look beyond my day to day circumstances and realize how blessed I am

to have the opportunity to be in school to pursue what I want to do. Likewise, when I’m at work as a PCT

on at St. Francis I think of my patients that I am providing care for, along with the Care-a-van population

and remember how fortunate I am to have a job and get paid to serve others. In my personal life, when

I am tempted to think of the financial challenge of attending school full time and working as a PCT PRN

I am reminded of the Care-a-van population many of whom do not have steady employment and have

far greater financial challenges than merely going to school.

 For all of the above reasons, I am grateful for this practicum experience. I know that the skills,

and more importantly the perspective that I’ve gained as a result of it will have a positive impact on the

remainder of my nursing school experience and in my future practice as an RN. It has helped shape me

into a more compassionate student and nurse.