Home Visits 

​

I learned that I enjoy being in people’s homes and in the community. I enjoyed having people walk up to me while I was walking asking me to take their blood pressure and blood sugar. I think that I will be looking into public health nursing. Perhaps I have a future in it.  My international experience has helped me to grow and develop my sense of confidence in new situations or when meeting new people.

While I was going from house to house and talking to patients on the street, I found that many Grenadians call breakfast, tea. I was very confused at first because no one would respond to me when I asked them if they had already eaten breakfast today. I then noticed that when the lady that went out with me, asked about Tea the patients would respond. A barrier in communication can be detrimental when you are trying to obtain health history. The study abroad experience helped me recognize the importance of cultural competence, and the constant learning associated with it.  The locals were having a hard time understanding what I was asking them because I was not using the culturally appropriate word to describe it. In order to overcome this barrier, I found myself adapting into their cultural, I asked my other patients what they had for tea instead of using the word breakfast. After I changed that it was smooth sailing, I did not feel as though it was incorrect of me to confirm to their manner because it was not a major confirmation it was a simple change in verbiage that allowed me to build a better rapport with my patients.

 

I really enjoyed how much the community looks out for one another, I noticed that when I stopped at one individuals’ home they asked if I would be stopping at their relatives’ home. I loved how friends and family members keep each other accountable, encouraging honestly.