Nurses in Guatemala
Eight year 3 nursing students will take their clinical learning to another level this spring when they participate in an international nursing practice experience (INPE) in Guatemala, Central America.
One could argue this type of practicum is not for everyone, however, for these students, it is viewed as an integral component of their nursing education. Together with nursing instructors Mary Ann Morris and Donna Van Vliet, and community activist Mike Chapman the students will spend three weeks prior to departure in orientation. Once in Guatemala, the group will be involved with practice in both rural and urban areas in Guatemala with our project partners, AMES (Association of Women in Solidarity) and the Maya-Mam Health Promoters of La Esmeralda. Upon return to Canada, debriefing and re-entry will complete the formal practicum.
As the group prepares for departure, they will be exploring the historical and socio-political realities of Guatemala as a colonized nation along with broader issues such as the impact of globalization and current free trade policies. Utilizing the learning methods of Mezirow and Freire where the students are involved in a spiraling process of awareness-raising, or to use Paulo Freire’s term, “education of liberation,” the orientation is critical to student appreciation of the relationship between sociopolitical forces and health globally.
We envision continuing this process of education in Guatemala as we collaborate with our project partners and the people during school and community meetings and health teaching initiatives. We look forward to learning about the daily experiences of life of indigenous people who, though poor and marginalized, have actively resisted and organized to better understand the causes of their suffering and advocate for their basic human rights. As well as being invited to hear their stories, we will be sharing our expertise in health promotion as senior nursing students in collaboration with local health promoters. Going to a country such as Guatemala gives us the opportunity to consider anew the links between social injustice, poverty, ill-health, and unfulfilled lives, and our possible responses as health care workers and global citizens.
Returning students from last year’s delegation have passionately spoken about their learning experiences in the South and the transformation that has taken place personally and professionally as they adopt a more global worldview. As one student noted,
“I have been deeply touched by this experience in ways which I know will continue to unfold and evolve. I have felt something begin to tick inside me. It’s indescribable really….To me this experience is the most wonderful way to take all the theory we have learned and actually apply it”.
We are very grateful to all of those who have supported us during preparation for this experience. We are indebted to our project partners and our schools of nursing for their vision and willingness to make this opportunity possible. And lastly, we give thanks for the people of Guatemala who have agreed to share their lives, tortillas, and daily challenges with us. We will take your stories forward and look to the day when our mutual efforts for Health for All will be realized.
