Volunteers help nursing students get first hands-on experience

No one dozed off in this classroom lecture as about 80 nurse practitioner students had their first opportunity to apply their knowledge of neurological disorders on volunteers with multiple sclerosis.

Mary Filipi, Ph.D., UNMC College of Nursing assistant professor, shows students how to test reflexes with Cindy Hutcheson, a volunteer with multiple sclerosis.

The class included students enrolled in online programs from across Nebraska and as far away as California – one of the few times distance nursing students are required to come to campus.

With the help of Mary Filipi, Ph.D., UNMC College of Nursing assistant professor, and the Nebraska Multiple Sclerosis Society, about 10 adults with multiple sclerosis let nurse practitioners apply what they learned.

Dave Arkfeld relished the attention from students armed with their clinical tools as he answered questions about living with multiple sclerosis and submitted to neurological assessments.

Through his participation, Arkfeld hopes to raise awareness about the need to get diagnosed earlier so patients can get on medication sooner.

“The patients told us their stories and we learned things we couldn’t have in a textbook.” Cara Moore

It’s an advantage to learn and practice with patients with neurological diseases, said students Cara Moore and Cherl Mues.

“This has prepared us so we won’t be so surprised,” Moore said. “The patients told us their stories and we learned things we couldn’t have in a textbook.”

Volunteers are eager to contribute in the class, Dr. Filipi said.

“Their thought is, ‘If I can teach someone to take care of people like me, that’s all I can ask,'” she said. “The patients have various health issues that most students won’t see anywhere else. Once they see them, they’ll remember.”