"Nursing Students Assaulted": Considering Student Safety in Community-Focused Experiences

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Community Health
• Public Safety

Background:

• Community nursing experiences have evolved beyond home visits to diverse neighborhood settings.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs utilize local, underserved neighborhoods to engage students with vulnerable populations.
• Certain high-crime neighborhoods present potential safety risks for students and faculty.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the need for safety policies and guidelines in undergraduate community nursing fieldwork.
• To share strategies for promoting personal safety among nursing students in community settings.
• To advocate for administrative transparency regarding safety risks in community-focused fieldwork.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of an incident where baccalaureate nursing students were assaulted.
• Development of personal safety strategies based on practical experience.
• Review of existing policies and identification of gaps.

Main Results:

• The assault incident highlighted the absence of clear safety protocols.
• Proactive safety strategies are crucial for mitigating risks in community fieldwork.
• Faculty and students require support and clear guidelines for navigating potentially hazardous environments.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for established safety policies for community nursing fieldwork.
• Institutions must be transparent about potential risks in fieldwork locations.
• Implementing safety strategies can better protect nursing students engaged in community health initiatives.