Nurses Get Rural Health Care Experiences

LABELLE, FL. -- Several nursing students from Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) recently had a rotation of classes in Hendry County to learn about Public Health. Among their many experiences within the health department, they also learned about preparedness.

Amy Howard, the Planner for Hendry County Emergency Management gave the students a tour of the Hendry County Emergency Operations Center. (EOC). While at the EOC, they participated in a “Disaster Preparedness Training Class” and learned what happens when the EOC has to “activate” for a disaster. This class was facilitated by Brenda Barnes, the Planning Consultant & Public Information Officer from the Florida Department of Health in Hendry and Glades Counties.

Their professors wrote the following: “The students have really enjoyed the opportunity to see how nursing skills can relate to preparedness and response.”

Pictured: Brenda Barnes, along with the FGCU Nursing Students (In alphabetical order) Tatianna Dagenais, Janeen Douglass, Gabrielle Gardner, Melinda Lilie, Jennifer McKnight, Caileigh Minihan, Cherith Rickels, and Amanda Stanton.