含羞草视频

OMAHA, Neb. 鈥� Healthcare students at 含羞草视频 (CSM) learned the realities for low-income families during a poverty simulation on campus.听

鈥淏eing a healthcare provider, we deal with and are exposed to people with diverse backgrounds and from different walks of life. The poverty simulation sensitizes healthcare students to poverty,鈥� said Tracey Toney, associate professor of nursing and lead lab coordinator. 鈥淲hen a patient is non-compliant, it may be because they have to choose between buying a prescription and feeding their family. This activity helps eliminate biases students might have had. They鈥檙e walking in the shoes of someone who lives in poverty.鈥澨�

Poverty simulations allow participants to learn about poverty from the perspective of those who live it. The interactive experience aims to increase understanding of poverty, transform perspectives and inspire action.听

The poverty simulation at CSM takes place every spring. Bachelor of Science in Nursing, practical nursing, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy Doctorate and Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies students participate.听

During the simulation, first year students take on the identity of someone living in poverty. The identities are based on real life stories. They have to navigate childcare, banking, buying groceries, transportation, social services, healthcare and more.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 every man for himself. There鈥檚 so much more that goes on than I expected. Going through this makes it more realistic and shows you how hard it is to get the resources you need,鈥� said Blake Morgan, a physician assistant studies students. 鈥淚f nothing else, it gives us a lot of empathy for patients in this situation.鈥澨�

Second year students take on the roles of resource workers, providing support and highlighting the roadblocks people in poverty experience.听

鈥淵ou walk away with a sense of stress that this is somebody鈥檚 every day,鈥� said Kayla Reed, a nursing student who has participated in the poverty simulation twice. 鈥淚t allows us to see that this is real and not just in a textbook.鈥澨�

The room that the simulation takes place in represents a community. The center of the room represents family homes and tables around the perimeter of the room represent community services and businesses.听听

Students experience what it鈥檚 like to live for a month in poverty. Each week takes place during a 15-minute session. During each session, students experience the daily stresses and challenges people in poverty face.听

鈥淚t opens your eyes to what happens in the world and in our community. It prepares us as future nurses to have grace,鈥� said Jasa Wiedel, a nursing student who has participated in the poverty simulation twice. 鈥淗ere at CSM, we do a lot to promote caring for those around us and this shows how we can do that in our careers.鈥澨�

Toney said the poverty simulation itself has impact, but students are encouraged to take what they learn and put it into action so that the activity has a lasting impact.听