Española, NM – Students in Northern New Mexico College’s RN-BSN program hosted a health promotion fair and self-care day April 2 for the campus community.
More than 200 participants turned out for the event, entitled Amor Norteño, which featured local holistic healers, free blood pressure screenings, Zumba dance fitness, live music and more.
“We decided that we wanted to do something related to holistic and self-care, which means caring for mind, body and spirit,” BSN student and working nurse Lilliana Martinez said. “We wanted to teach people how to take better care of themselves and learn about the resources available to the community.”
Local healer and Northern graduate Guadalupe Salazar held demonstrations on aromatherapy and acupuncture while Jessie Emerson of the Oso Herbal Store showed the best uses for Osha root – a native New Mexican plant.
Cosmetology and Barbering Tewa Women United, Molina Healthcare, the New Mexico Public Health Department and Northern’s and Massage Therapy programs were also on-hand to provide information and services.
The fair was a capstone project for the Community and Global Health course and involved a full year of planning, including the securing of donations, sponsors and participants. Nursing students Diana Barela, Andrea Garcia, Tamara Jim, Mary Money-Gallegos and Lilianna Martinez collaborated to make the event a reality.
“In my six years as an employee at Northern, I have never seen such a huge response to such an important concept of health: self-care. We were all able to witness how important this is to the five students who created this service learning project for our campus community,” Community and Global Health Instructor Ana Gutierrez Sisneros said. “ I have a great respect for my students, who were successful in this endeavor.”
Currently, BSN nursing students are fundraising to buy an Automatic External Defibrillator for the Northern campus, a device that could be life-saving in the event of a heart attack. Community members can contribute by purchasing a t-shirt for $15.
To purchase a t-shirt, contact Ana X Gutierrez Sisneros by calling (505) 747-2256 or email malinallix@nnmc.edu.
Tagged: Nursing, Student work
