Nursing School

Summary Journal

12/5/15

Every day of nursing school makes me realize something new about myself, but the community experience this semester has made me learn the most. Growing up in a small, non-diverse town has many advantages, but it also has its disadvantages. For many years, I have stayed in my bubble, and have refused to accept the disparities that occur on a daily basis. Nursing and the city of Rochester itself has opened my eyes immensely. I have learned that I am very good at shutting out areas that I myself am not comfortable facing. Diversity and poverty are two of these areas that I have faced this semester. I have had the opportunity to work with a diverse population of children aged 3-5 coming from low-income homes, families who have come close to being homeless and have found the resources to keep this from happening, and lastly individuals who are homeless, and find temporary relief at the Dorthy Day Center. I have grown so much as a person and as a future nurse this semester, just by simply interacting with these individuals. I am so thankful for the experiences and look forward for more to come.

Not only have I learned a lot about myself this semester, but there is also a lot that I have learned about the community of Rochester. There are a lot of disparities in this city, and there are also a lot of resources available to those in need. It has been surprising to me to see how hidden the disparities can be. Yes, there are the occasional homeless individuals who sit on the corner of a street, that make themselves visible, but there are so many more in need than just a handful. Every day, people in need are cared for in the hospital. There are also people in need that are helped in the community by individuals employed by the city of Rochester, along with volunteers. According to Patty Beech (2012), in 2011, 178 families with 304 children were sheltered in Rochester due to domestic violence, homelessness, or both. This is an eye opening...