Mobile Health Training Experience Shines with Students

The first cohort of graduate nursing students recently completed their semester in the Nurse-led Mobile Health Training Project, a partnership between the College of Nursing and Newark's Department of Health.

Seton Hall University's College of Nursing, a trailblazer in innovative healthcare education, recently completed its first cohort of students in the Nurse-led Mobile Health Training Project. The project, funded by a generous grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), aims to address health disparities in Newark, New Jersey, by creating a pipeline of nurse practitioners and forming a long-term partnership between Seton Hall and Newark's Department of Health. While the College of Nursing's reputation precedes it, it is the students' experiences within the training project that truly shine.

By participating in this initiative, graduate students in the College’s adult-gerontology primary care, pediatric primary care and the psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner programs have the chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the medically underserved while furthering their own education and professional development.

The students' evaluations and testimonials of the training project have been overwhelmingly positive. They highlight the profound impact the project had on their understanding of social determinants of health, health equity and the challenges faced by the medically underserved population. One student shared, "The idea is amazing. The grant idea is genius and a great learning experience." This sentiment echoes the College of Nursing's commitment to inspiring students to become innovators and leaders in the nursing profession.

Through their participation in the Mobile Health Training Project, students gained firsthand knowledge of the lack of access to healthcare and the vital role of delivering healthcare in an interprofessional, team-based environment. They were exposed to a multitude of resources available to aid patients and were amazed by the eye-opening experience. "I really did learn quite a bit," expressed one student, emphasizing the transformative nature of the training.

Furthermore, the students encountered the challenges of overcoming language barriers in patient care. Working with interpreters, they experienced firsthand the negative effects that communication gaps can have on healthcare outcomes. Reflecting on this experience, a student remarked, "This semester has provided me with an excellent opportunity to learn more about patients from diverse backgrounds." This aspect of the training project underscores the importance of culturally competent care and the need for healthcare professionals to adapt to the unique needs of each patient.

The students also praised the preceptors and physicians assigned to the mobile health units. They commended the guidance and mentorship provided during their clinical semester, as they followed patients with multiple illnesses. The opportunity to work closely with these experienced professionals left a lasting impression on the students, who expressed their eagerness to repeat the experience. "If I could do it again, I would do it in a heartbeat," said one student, illustrating the impact and value of the project.

“The College of Nursing's Nurse-led Mobile Health Training Project has not only created a promising partnership between Seton Hall and Newark's Department of Health, but has also provided students with an immersive and enlightening experience,” said principal investigator for the grant Joyce L. Maglione, Ph.D., ANP-BC, associate professor and program director of the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program. “The overwhelmingly positive feedback from students highlights the valuable insights gained through the project, emphasizing the importance of health equity and interprofessional collaboration.”

If you are a nurse who is passionate about advancing health equity and are interested in providing crucial healthcare to the medically underserved, consider joining Seton Hall's Nurse-led Mobile Health Training Project. As a participant, you will have the chance to work on a mobile health unit while earning your MSN degree from one of the top-ranked graduate nursing programs in New Jersey. Moreover, successful completion of the clinical semester will make you eligible for a $10,000 stipend.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $3,643,963 with 0% percentage financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

Categories: Health and Medicine