USF Nursing students teach Tampa Prep high schoolers new skills

USF Nursing worked with Tampa Preparatory School to get students ready for a medical mission trip to Guatemala.

A group of 15 students from Tampa Prep, a private school for grades 6 to 12, were slated to visit Guatemala in June for two weeks. Prior to the trip, four USF Nursing second degree students visited Tampa Prep and taught the students basic nursing skills, such as how to check vitals, height, and weight. The group of students then visited USF Nursing and did a final skills check off at the George & Marian Miller Center for Virtual Learning, also known as the experiential lab.

“Our USF nursing students developed teaching plans that were teen appropriate that included demonstrations and one-on-one lessons,” said USF Nursing instructor Rebecca Lutz, DNP, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC. “It worked well for their learning outcomes because the students learned nursing skills and were culturally acclimated on what to expect in Guatemala.”

Ginger Chapman, biology and life sciences teacher at Tampa Prep, said this is the first year the school takes on a public health project of this sort. The trip to Guatemala took place from June 4 – 17 and consisted of 10th, 11th and 12th graders.

“The environment was different and the students experienced personal growth,” Chapman said. “This experience helped expose the students to different fields of studies. And the USF Nursing students served as mentors and provided inspiration.”

Story by Jessica Samaniego, USF College of Nursing Communications & Marketing Officer