Improving public health: Nursing students build skills through service learning

September 26, 2018 – When people visit a health care provider, they usually end up spending a portion of the time with a nurse. Nurses help put patients at ease and are critical to helping identify problems – especially if a person is experiencing hunger.

Three years ago, Oregon Food Bank began a service-learning partnership with University of Portland’s nursing program that’s in full-swing today. First-year students learn about nutrition and food insecurity in the classroom and are then paired with a food pantry to help with tasks like set-up, client intake and food demonstrations.

“This component immerses students in the community,” says Tanya Bachman, nursing instructor at University of Portland. “We want them to see food insecurity from a nursing view, and to look beyond injuries and illness as the reasons patients need help.”

University of Portland admits approximately 250 nursing students each year, and students will make three to four visits to their assigned food pantry. “Students come back from their visits talking about how much they have learned and the respect they have for pantry staff,” says Kala Mayer, assistant professor at University of Portland School of Nursing. “We see their compassion, empathy and communication skills really take off.”

Oregon Food Bank is able to lend expertise to programs that stop hunger early on because of your support.