The fall semester is underway and KU Nursing students are in the community for their clinical rotations.

First semester KU School of Nursing students collaborated with KC Shepherd's Center to offer a free community health screening at Paraclete Manor, an apartment for older seniors and disabled individuals that offers income-based community designed with comfort and accessibility in mind, through the HUD Section 8 rental assistance program. The KC Shepherd's Center is a nonprofit that serves socially isolated and low-income older adults over the age of 60 without access to healthy foods or enough physical independence to engage in community activities in the greater Kansas City region.

"Our students practiced taking/recording vital signs and obtaining health histories from voluntary participants," said Chris Weber, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC, RNC-NIC, clinical assistant professor. "Under the guidance of their applied practice faculty, KU students also shared free/low-cost clinic and healthy educational resources with residents. We wrapped up the day with snacks and BINGO! It was a great day for community and intergenerational service."

During the health screening students helped community members "know their numbers" by conducting blood pressure checks; heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature and oxygen saturation checks; blood glucose history, if applicable; medication, pain, nutrition and physical activity education; and health recommendations and referral guidance, as needed.

After the event, students were invited to share their thoughts on the experience and how they were prepared by KU faculty:

Rachal Gadd, Plano, Texas: "Going into my first clinical setting was very nerve-wracking, but the community at the Paraclete Apartments really made the experience better. They were so encouraging when I was nervous, and it really made the experience that much better. The health screening basics, as well as manual blood pressure checks, were all skills that we have gone over in class, and I think that my coaches and instructors have taken a lot of time to make sure I am confident in the skills. I was really surprised by how well prepared I actually was when it came down to completing the health screenings, and that once I started getting into the groove of everything, it became more second nature."

Ava Green, Evergreen Park, Illinois: "I thought the event was very eye-opening and a great learning experience for us. Going in, this was my first clinical, so I was very nervous. We went straight into doing health screenings with partners. We collected a brief health history and obtained vitals. The residents of this apartment were very grateful for us. I felt prepared through lab experience, and I think that my coaches and instructors have taught me a lot in the brief few weeks that I have been learning from them. What surprised me was my ability to obtain vitals and a health history. I think I surprised myself with my ability to do it on a real person by myself. I think this experience was very good for my education, and I am excited to go back! I loved talking with the residents and hearing about all their life experiences."

Macy Grable, Troy, Kansas: "I thought the event was very eye-opening and a very good opportunity to help people who need care. Being in a clinical setting like KC Shepherds and seeing the severity of the need helped me see all the different community populations we will be caring for as nurses, whether inside or outside of the hospital. I was surprised by how friendly and talkative everyone was at Paraclete Manor. It was very apparent that there is a good and supportive community there."