On a warm, excitment filled day in April, Adrienne Wald EdD, BSN, Nursing Instructor and Kathleen Kafel MS RN took their nursing students out for a unique opportunity to gain clinical experience. What they didn't realize was how much 'experience' their students would actually gain that day!
The unique opportunity was the Boston Marathon and the initial plan for the day consisted of keeping runners hydrated and treating blisters, cuts, scapes and sun exposure. What the plan evoled into was one of assessing damage of the injured and providing support within the training they had.
“They did what they were trained to do. Instead of running away, they ran to help.” - Wald to Fox 25 Boston.
http://www.umb.edu/news_events_media/news/umass_boston_students_show_bravery_amid_chaos_at_marathon
Second year nursing student Mary Solomon was only a block away from the finish line when she and her cohorts heard what they thought to be fireworks in celebration of the winner crossing the finish line. That was until those loud popping sounds were followed by screaming sirens of rescue personel. The next thing she heard was, "you're needed!" She, along with her fellow classmates, ran to the injured to help where and how they could. http://www.boston.com/yourcampus/news/northeastern/2013/04/northeastern_nursing_students_among_first_reponders_to_marathon_victims.html
Later the students were asked if the experience changed their minds any on their career choice. Several were heard to have declared that it reinforced the fact that they made the right decision and were glad they were able to help. Kudos to these great nurses of the near future!
It's the genuine caring compassion of true nurses that make a difference in the world!
