Nursing Students Deliver Care and Build Community on Educational Trip to Guatemala
A dozen BԪ nursing students spent part of their summer bringing vital healthcare services to rural communities in Guatemala—an experience they say reshaped their understanding of nursing, global health and compassion. The group, made up of six students from the Westchester Campus and six from the Bronx Campus, traveled alongside Assistant Professor Lauren Ibiezugbe and Nursing Instructor Peter Shute for a weeklong community health immersion. The trip counted towards clinical hours for the students, as well.
The trip was organized in partnership with Nursing Heart, a Guatemala-based nonprofit that provides medical screenings, health education and community support. The collaboration was made possible through Susan “Sue” Milne, CNR SAS '75, MSN, JD, a CNR alumna and retired nurse who has volunteered with Nursing Heart for over a decade.
Participants discussed their experience during a presentation hosted by the School of Nursing in the Westchester Campus on October 15, 2025.
Assistant Professor Ibiezugbe said the experience offered students a rare look at global community health in action.
“We partnered with Nursing Heart to help provide basic health screenings and community healthcare,” she said. “We met with traditional midwives, heard incredible stories about their experiences and visited a women’s cooperative in a community deeply affected by domestic violence and poverty. These women found a way to break the cycle for their families.”
Students conducted community health home visits, where they navigated long distances and rugged terrain to reach families.
Amber Mejia, a senior, said the home visits were eye-opening. “When we did the home visits, I realized how hard it was to get to the homes. Everywhere was so far. I appreciated their trust in us. They were so welcoming.”
At local school clinics, students provided health screenings, nutrition education and hygiene lessons.
“It was such an honor to go on this trip,” said Ricardo Najera, an accelerated nursing student in his third semester. “We talked to kids about healthy habits like brushing their teeth. They were so receptive. We helped over 120 children. I’m very proud of the work we did. I’m from Guatemala, and I hope more people get to experience my country and its people.”
The group also visited a nursing home, offering care both to residents and their caregivers.
“We were able to do health assessments, massage their feet and just spend time with them,” said senior Alexis Jefferson. “Seeing the smiles on their faces reminded me what nursing is all about. Care goes so far. This trip reminded me why I chose nursing.”
For senior Joseph Armas, the trip highlighted the challenges of healthcare access. He said he was struck by “the lack of clinics, pharmacies, paved roads, and transportation,” noting how these barriers shape health outcomes.
Fahrija Kamal, an accelerated nursing student in her third semester, said the experience renewed her sense of purpose. “I saw people struggle with food access and daily adversity. As a group, we learned to help each other as well as others. I relearned compassion and kindness.”
Instructor Shute praised the students’ dedication: “We are so proud of our students. They worked so hard. We wanted them to learn about community health and how they can bring these lessons back into their work and studies.”
How the Partnership Came to Be
The connection to Nursing Heart began with Milne, who had read about BԪ’s commitment to global community work. Wanting to help expand those opportunities, she reached out to the university’s alumni office.
Milne, who served on Nursing Heart’s Board of Trustees, has been involved with the organization since 2013. She and her husband made repeated volunteer trips to Guatemala, assisting with wellness clinics and school health visits.
“My husband and I met the person who ran Nursing Heart and wanted to contribute to their mission,” Milne said. “We saw firsthand the resilience and gratitude of the people there.”
When she learned Mercy hoped to expand global health experiences, she connected Assistant Professor Ibiezugbe with Nursing Heart’s leadership.
Ibiezugbe, who is developing a Global Health program for nursing students, said the partnership aligns perfectly with her goals. “We hope these trips can count toward community health clinical hours, with plans to expand to other courses and even the graduate program,” she said.
The relationship has already proved fruitful. Nursing Heart’s executive director praised the students’ skills and compassion, and Milne expressed joy at hearing how meaningful the trip was for everyone involved.
As BԪ builds out its Global Health initiative, faculty hope to make trips like this a recurring part of the nursing curriculum.
