Looking through the bushes: A student's South African experience

Journal of Multicultural Nursing & Health, Winter 2002 by Rodriguez, Helen

I felt powerless observing these conditions and situations as a visitor. Nevertheless, as a nurse, I understand the importance of the concept of reaching across the globe to help those in need. International research becomes imperative to help identify needs of communities and of individuals. No one person can mend the wound of a wounded community; it takes collaboration of the community and the health profession. Working together, hand-in-- hand, one can help to identify problems that are faced by others. International research can bring nurses together from around the world. The research and interventions project could potentially bring together the community and empower them to grow from within.

Economic empowerment may be the beginning of building a community. It is one strategy to promote continued success after researchers have left the country. Empowerment helps to build hope, self worth, and strength. Empowerment, through research, may be one method for bridging the gap between global communities.

Cultural experiences are necessary for both professional and personal growth. Viewing a culture from exposure to the people and separate from the influences and bias of home helps one to become a more global thinker and more culturally sensitive. Cultural experiences do not change who we are but enhance who we are becoming. Many of us, as health professionals, may be busy trying to see the forest past the trees and may often fail to see life lurking in the bushes.

I am an experienced RN, who practices in a large urban community setting at the time of this journey and a full-time student in an RN to BSN program. My trip and work as a member of this research team was a synthesis experience and one that I will reflect on for years to come. I have been enriched by South Africa and the needs of this rural community will have my attention for years to come. When I think of my community-based nursing today, I think of the global community, especially one rural community, in South Africa that was encountered, during my research experience.

Helen Rodriguez, RN, BSN-Completion, CCRN, Prairie View ABcM University, Houston, Texas.