Nursing Students Serve Those in Need Across the World

Five nursing students took their skills abroad in October, with three traveling to the Philippines and two to Indonesia. For over 10 years, the Biola University nursing department has been sending students in collaboration with Action International Ministries to the Shalom Birthing Center in the city of Antipolo, Philippines to serve alongside partners in the International Service Corps section called Hope Rescue EMS. 

The three students who traveled to the Philippines were fifth-semester seniors Stefanie Owens, Kaitlin Stilp and Kaitlyn Todd. While the students were serving abroad, they were required to use their skills in multiple different situations, including administering health assessments, providing health education for children and adults, providing education to newly delivered mothers, administering vaccines and providing basic health care such as blood pressure screening and wound care.

Not only were they able to provide the physical care needed in the community, but also provide a comforting presence to the patients.

“Students were practicing the ministry of presence, listening, learning, asking questions and listening to stories,” said Dr. Rachel Van Niekerk, the director of the nursing program.

Biola alumnus Edwin Samson (’05) is actively involved in Hope Rescue in the Philippines and worked with the three Biola students in October. A glimpse into their time there can be seen in a video created by Samson.

Providing care abroad allows for the students to broaden their experience in using many different resources and witnessing other parts of the world, according to Van Niekerk.

“Students learn about providing care in settings with different resources. They learn how to provide care with what they have. They see poverty in a way that they have not seen here in the United States and they get to work through what it's like to witness extreme poverty and recognize God's presence in that,” said Van Niekerk. “They provide care and navigate care in a predominantly Muslim context. They see the importance of relationships that are crucial in order to build trust which is a gateway to providing care which is then a gateway to reflecting God's love.”

The two students who traveled to Indonesia were fifth-semester seniors Analia Johnson and Liam Kelly. The students partnered with Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) students who are a part of the university’s nursing program and provided health education, health assessments and screenings. This is the first time Biola students went on a service trip to Indonesia for nursing.

“Students in our program are exposed to a variety of different populations throughout the abroad programs including homeless, older adults and pediatrics for example,” said Van Niekerk. “Students are placed in a variety of settings both in acute care facilities but also community sites as well. In their Biola classes, we teach about cultural humility and sensitivity, and the Bible classes students take equip them in how to view the world.”

The mission of the Biola department of nursing is to prepare students to be competent nursing professionals who integrate Christian caring into their nursing practice. Learn more about the healthcare management nursing pathway and apply.

Written by Sarah Dougher, media relations specialist. For more information, email media.relations@biola.edu.