National Nurses United

Another standout feature of the WGHL program is its collabora- tive nature, said Mary Hawkesworth, professor of Political Science and Women's and Gender Studies at Rutgers University. Hawkesworth, who worked closely with NNU to launch the pro- gram in 2013, said that since the program is a mix of Rutgers stu- dents (often in the age range of 18 to 22) and NNU working RN members, this leads to an exchange of information where nurses have the opportunity to learn as well as to share knowledge gleaned from real-life experience. "What we have heard from students who do semester course evaluations is that part of what makes these classes so special is an intergenerational component," said Hawkesworth. "Our very young students, who aspire to all kinds of careers, are interacting with NNU members—healthcare professionals who deal not just with the daily demands of providing care, but many of whom have done over- seas disaster work. Students really benefit from the perspective of workers on the front lines, who grapple with all kinds of inequality that remain hypothetical for students." The classes, which can be completed online at the students' con- venience (Siu completed the program in two years while working full time), have a social justice focus and are designed to help stu- dents view inequality as a risk factor to human well-being and health, comparable to a disease or environmental hazard. Students learn to think about how good public health requires interventions to eliminate structural inequalities. According to Siu, the program has led her to have a much better understanding of current events, and also to a more holistic under- standing of the factors that contribute to the health of patients beyond the walls of the hospital. She cites the example of a time in her career when two patients in the same week died of a form of can- cer that would have been curable with preventative care, which they were simply unable to afford. "I couldn't stop crying that week," said Siu. Referring to a course discussion of how world financial institutions often force govern- ments to cut social programs as a condition of receiving loans, she noted: "Through the program, I learned a lot about how national debt really trickles down to the individuals who are the most impov- erished, most at risk. I was able to look at poverty differently. In this country, we tend to want to think people are poor because of indi- vidual choices, rather than governmental, structural reasons." Siu has drawn on her new knowledge in further global nursing projects (she volunteered with RNRN again this year in Panama and El Salvador as part of the Navy's Continuing Promise mission) as well as at the bedside. She said an immediate impact on her daily work is a greater focus on the environmental factors that may con- tribute to cancer in the patients for whom she provides care. "Working as an oncology nurse, I've become more impassioned about being an environmentalist," said Siu. "Overall, I would 100 percent recommend this course to others. I feel like a much better world citizen because of it." Kari Jones is a communications specialist with National Nurses United. More about the Women's Global Health Leadership program As part of the Certificate Program in Women's Global Health Leader- ship, NNU is pleased to announce the following spring 2016 courses cosponsored by National Nurses United and Rutgers, the State Uni- versity of New Jersey. Courses are online and begin Jan. 19, 2016. • Impacts of Economic Inequality on Women's Health; • The Growth Imperative, Global Ecology, and Women's Health; and • Health Consequences of the Global Trade in Pharmaceuticals. Full-tuition scholarships are available for NNU members interested in building global solidarity with those who share RN values of caring, com- passion, and community. To apply for a full-tuition scholarship for a course, please submit a short essay (250 to 500 words) describing how the topic of the course will inform your RN patient advocacy. NNU mem- bers may apply for a scholarship for more than one course. A separate essay is required for each course for which an RN seeks a scholarship. All interested scholarship applicants should submit their essay via email to WGHL@nationalnursesunited.org with the subject line "Scholarship" no later than Dec. 4, 2015. Applicants must also complete and submit a scholarship cover sheet with their essay, which can be found at the following webpage: http://www.nationalnursesunited.org/page/-/files/pdf/ce-classes/ 2016/WGHL-ScholarshipCoverSheet.pdf If you have any questions, please contact the Certificate Program Administrative Coordinator, Randi Pace, at (510) 433–2793 or WGHL@nationalnursesunited.org. O C T O B E R 2 0 1 5 W W W . N A T I O N A L N U R S E S U N I T E D . O R G N A T I O N A L N U R S E 13 how nurses can tackle the structural inequalities shaping public health.

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