KATHERINE MASON

BY RACHEL CHRISTOFEL

In the wake of Hurricanes Ivan and Frances, 15 Florida State University nursing students have been dispatched to the western Panhandle to determine the post-disaster needs of victims, such as food, sanitation, electricity and shelter in hurricane-affected areas.

With more than 200 sets of data from field-based interviews in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties, FSU nursing students presented their findings to local, state and federal officials on Sunday. The results will help officials direct operational leaders in relief efforts where the need is the greatest. The findings will be published by the National Centers For Disease Control in "The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report."

"The data collected by this student team is key to the delivery of essential medical services after a storm," said Craig Fugate, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. "These future nursing professionals gain a real world understanding of disaster response while serving the needs of our residents during the time when they need us the most." The team was recruited by the Florida Department of Health and the CDC.

Not only have the FSU students conducted surveys, they also have volunteered their nursing skills to distribute healthcare throughout Florida. Specifically in special needs shelters, these students are putting their textbook knowledge into practical use, doing everything from giving insulin to diabetic patients and dressing wounds, to bathing elderly residents.

"This is a true public health experience where they have received hands-on training in dealing with disaster nursing," said Lynne Elliot, an FSU professor who led a group of students in relief efforts near Cocoa Beach, Fla. "It's part of the nursing curriculum and part of the nursing role."

Katherine Mason, dean of the School of Nursing, played an instrumental role in the volunteer effort by contacting the state and offering the nursing students' services. She sees the effort as a great opportunity for these students.

"One of the delights of this job is to support students and faculty as they provide nursing services in complex settings such as in special needs shelters," said Mason. "This kind of experience is a unique opportunity to demonstrate the mission of the school which is 'preparing professional leaders in nursing for practice in diverse settings.'"

Since the hurricanes struck Florida, more than 30 nursing students have volunteered in five counties. These students have a vision to serve those in need, and are preparing to travel to other places if they are needed in the aftermath of Hurricane Jeanne.

"In going through this, we've all realized again why we wanted to become nurses and what these two years of hard work have been for," said Julie Eidenberger, one of FSU's volunteer nursing students. "It is an amazing experience, and if anyone gets the chance to do disaster relief, I'd recommend it."