Nursing students join medical, mental health experts to support evacuees

With almost 1,400 displaced residents from Fort McMurray staying in University of Calgary student residences, 15 nursing students are getting hands-on experience for their second-year class that focuses on families in transition.

On May 6, the university began welcoming residents of Fort McMurray evacuated from their community due to wildfires. The UCalgary nursing team is one of many on campus that has been helping with the evacuee effort from the beginning.

“As part of their term four class, our students typically spend time with families in supportive living and long-term care facilities, postpartum community services, the university day care and other community placements,” says nursing instructor Dave Patterson who, with fellow instructor Jennifer Langille, is co-ordinating the Faculty of Nursing efforts. “This is a very natural fit into our curriculum and also gives the students the chance to witness and participate on multi-disciplinary care teams.”

• Check for updates about the university's response to the Fort McMurray evacuation

Additionally, and as part of a new initiative, the nursing students have started going door to door during the day to meet with and offer further support to evacuees. The students, together with professionals from social work, psychology and medicine, are available to assess the current needs of evacuees.  They are able to provide basic mental health first aid and refer people to other resources if necessary.

During the 2013 flood, Patterson and Langille were also part of the leadership team that co-ordinated nursing students in a multidisciplinary effort, assisting displaced southern Albertans living in University of Calgary housing.

If you know of someone who has been assisting evacuees on campus and you’d like to share your story, please email utoday@ucalgary.ca