Nursing, dentistry provide care for Lincoln homeless

The College of Nursing Lincoln Division and the College of Dentistry in Lincoln recently participated in the annual Homeless Connect Project. They provided services to Lincoln’s homeless that many of us take for granted.

Nursing faculty and advanced practice registered nurses Sharon Baker and Rita Antonson teamed with students to provide foot care to 20 individuals, while College of Dentistry faculty members David Brown, Ph.D., and Roger Fisher, D.D.S., and two assistants attended the event, which resulted in dental care for 40 patients.

“The experience is part of what I consider ‘walking the walk’ of what we are called to do right where we stand,” Baker said. “Students had the opportunity to gain experience and compassion working with the community’s most vulnerable population.”

Nursing students provided foot care including trimming toenails, foot massages and education on how to keep feet healthy. They covered blisters and sores with antibacterial ointment and sterile bandages and provided shoe inserts for people who had foot pain. They also put clean socks on each individual after providing the foot care.

Each individual received a care package that included clippers, hygiene-wipes, foot powder, a nail file and new socks paid for by a grant from the Sigma Theta Tau International Gamma Pi At-Large Chapter. The grant also paid for supplies. The Lancaster County Health Department provided a $40 gift card to a local shoe store.

Antonson said it was a humbling experience to work with the homeless population. “The students were professional,” she said. “They treated the clients with dignity and compassion. They were non-judgmental and so kind to the participants. They did a tremendous job with providing care and patient education.”

Nursing student Caitlin Beatty found the experience rewarding. “I was able to make a difference, as small as it might have been, just by being there,” she said. “Seeing a smile after doing something as simple as washing their feet with warm water or providing them with the resources they need to obtain clean, dry shoes made my day.

“I made connections and listened to life stories that changed me for the better. In my future nursing career, I will be able to use this experience as a reminder that you never know the full story or struggles someone is facing until you stop and listen to them.”