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Nurses in the two-year FNP program graduate with a master’s
degree and qualify to sit for the FNP certification
exam. They learn how to set up a clinic and use it as
a ministry. The program also covers tropical diseases
and microbiology and has a strong emphasis on international
health.
“If a student has the desire and qualifications,
they have the option of doing their last clinical rotation
in a mission setting,” Roberts said. “This
isn’t a mandatory requirement, but it’s
an option we offer students.”
Students have the opportunity to go on five-day missions
in Mexico, accompanied by faculty members. Other missions
to Third World countries vary in length from two to
eight weeks.
“Many students come from foreign countries and
return home to practice in an advanced nursing capacity
after graduation,” Roberts said.
While students offer medical care on their missions,
they also provide spiritual care to patients who are
receptive to prayer.
Each year, 15 students from around the world are admitted
to the Baylor FNP program. Watching them progress through
the program continues to inspire Roberts.
“I personally take students on missions to Mexico
twice a year, and Africa every other year,” Roberts
said. “Watching them grow spiritually and emotionally
while improving their clinical and professional skills
is always a memorable experience.”
While the FNP program trains students to care for patients
internationally, missions are not limited to providing
medical care abroad.
“There are many underserved areas right in our
back yard,” Roberts said. “There are many
cities in the United States where nurse practitioners
can fill in the widening gap of serving the working-class
underinsured patients.”
Robert points to Baylor’s faculty practice clinic
in Itasca, Texas, as an example of a domestic mission.
“This rural town has no health care resources
and plenty of underinsured workers,” she said.
“All of our students rotate through the clinic
and this is as much ‘missionary nursing’
as a trip to Africa. People all over the world need
access to affordable health care and nourishment for
their souls.”
Anyone interested in the FNP program offered at Baylor
can contact Beverly Kurfees at Beverly_Kurfees@Baylor.edu,
or call (214) 820-4111.
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