News & Events

Thursday, October 29, 2009
by: Larissa Maley

Ingrid Hayward `03/M.S.N. '07 was honored with the Elizabeth Ann Seton Young Alumnus Award at the College of Nursing's recent Haley Award Ceremony. Having received both her B.S. and M.S.N. degrees from Seton Hall, Ingrid is now a doctoral student in the University's Ph. D. in Nursing Program. In the remarks given the evening she received her award, Ms. Hayward stated that her passion is “influencing change that meets the need of vulnerable people.” She added that “community work and volunteerism are a great place to start.”

A practicing registered nurse and a doctoral student in nursing, Hayward is a fierce advocate for victims of domestic human trafficking. “Research and advocacy for [this population] just hasn't been done,” she says, “if we don't ask the questions, we can't provide the services.”

Through personal experience -- her volunteer work with the Newark Coalition Against Human Trafficking and her interactions at shelters such as the Covenant House in Newark -- Hayward has developed a profound interest in advocating for those who can't speak out for themselves.

"For the last six to eight years,” she says, “I have been passionately involved in the protection of youth and vulnerable populations.” She works with survivors who have escaped from their captors in an effort to keep them from returning to the terrible world of trafficking. She mentors and helps them re-acclimate to their communities, getting them basic necessities -- food, shelter, employment, as well as medical and psychological care. She also comforts the families of victims, working with them to understand the unique issues their loved ones face.

Education and awareness for the professionals who provide direct care services (doctors, nurses, social workers, counselors, etc.) is another area that Hayward is passionate about. “[Victims of domestic trafficking] are fragmented people and it's important to try and help them become whole again,” she says. “It's one thing to help them that day, week, or month, but vulnerable populations need services that prepare them for life.”

When not in school or working to advance the issue of human trafficking, Hayward works at Overlook Hospital in Summit, N.J. She is the bed manager in nursing administration and manager of the nursing resource department. “Of all the things I have done, I am most proud of being a nurse,” she says. “I get to educate others, help people feel better, and most of all, hire and train future nurses who will shape the quality and direction of care.”

In the future, Hayward hopes her advocacy and research will change the screening process at hospitals and agencies so that victims of domestic trafficking can be better identified. This could be as simple as including a question about human trafficking on an intake form. Her vision also includes seeing a change in existing social service agencies. “We have specific programs directed toward people with HIV, the homeless, victims of domestic violence. …Why don't we have one for victims of human trafficking?”

According to Hayward, there are specific steps that service providers can take to help victims of domestic human trafficking: acknowledge that human trafficking is an American issue, educate social service agencies on how to identify victims when they visit emergency rooms or shelters, increase resources that would put nurses who treat individuals holistically on the front line of care.

On the front line of research, Ingrid Hayward is working tirelessly to change the current system. In her words, “if I can just open the door for victims, it's a start.”

Learn more about combating human trafficking.

For more information please contact:
Dan Nugent
973-378-9822
alumni@shu.edu