The School of Nursing provided mandatory training to 357 faculty, staff, students and community members last week. The individuals now have the proper training they need to assist in the American Red Cross shelters.
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Standing room was scarce in the nursing school auditorium last week when more than 350 faculty, staff, students and community members gathered for an American Red Cross orientation training program provided by the Health Science Center’s School of Nursing.

The disaster training session is mandatory for those who volunteer in shelters, which have been established by the American Red Cross to assist Hurricane Katrina survivors. The School of Nursing continues to play a significant role in providing properly-trained health care professionals to the American Red Cross, which organizes volunteer efforts.

“We held this course when the American Red Cross said it was in dire need of more trained individuals,” said Brenda Jackson, Ph.D., R.N., associate dean for the undergraduate program in the nursing school. “Several of our nurses are already trained in disaster training because they’ve worked as military nurses. Community health training is a standard part of our nursing program, which separates us from other health care professionals. It enables us to work in a variety of situations and we’re glad that we can provide our leadership-training skills during this desperate time of need.”

The one-hour training course allowed the School of Nursing to provide the American Red Cross with 357 more trained professionals.

“More than half of the faculty members in the nursing school have volunteered their time, as well as many staff,” said Robin Froman, R.N., Ph.D., dean of the School of Nursing. “One staff member’s girlfriend volunteered her services as an individual certified in American Sign Language. The students have run food and clothing drives, and one of the faculty members went door-to-door in her neighborhood collecting donations. She was able to deliver about $600 to the American Red Cross.”

Those who were trained at the American Red Cross training course were placed on a list and they will be called upon when assistance is needed. Susan Grinslade, Ph.D., R.N., assistant professor of chronic nursing care, and Norma Martinez-Rogers, Ph.D., R.N., clinical associate professor of family nursing, have served as contact persons, while dedicating countless hours to organizing and running the shelters.

“As long as we can provide our leadership training and skills, we will continue to do so,” Dr. Jackson said.