When nursing student Jennifer Fuentes heard about the IU School of Nursing’s (IUSON) summer trip to Spain, she couldn’t submit her application fast enough. She had nearly missed the deadline and knew she’d need to borrow money to travel, but Jennifer said she knew it would be well worth it.
“I really wanted to do a study abroad trip before my time in college ended,” said Jennifer, who is a senior on track to graduate in December 2024. “Because my family is from Mexico, Spain was very appealing to me, and I knew it was something I wanted to experience.”
Jennifer was one of nine IUSON students who participated in the one-week trip to Pamplona, Spain, in the summer of 2023. Hosted by the University of Navarra, the program included lectures by professors from Sweden, Africa and South Africa, educational presentations, a hospital tour and simulation workshops. The students attended class in the morning and toured Pamplona and the surrounding area during the afternoon and evening.
“The experience definitely improved my understanding of what it’s like to work with patients from different cultural backgrounds,” Jennifer said. “I learned that within my nursing practice, it’s important to have an open mind about cultural differences and to be flexible.”
A first-generation college student, Jennifer has firsthand experience with how a language barrier can impact personal health care. She also sees how this contributes to the health disparities experienced by the Hispanic community. Beginning at a very young age, she often translated important health information for her parents, who spoke very little English, when the family visited doctors’ offices.
“I saw the challenges my parents faced, especially with the language barrier,” Jennifer said. “It’s always been important to me to help out and give back to the community; that and the fact that I love to take care of people are some of the reasons I want to be a nurse.”
Jennifer got a head start on her career path, taking first aid and lifeguard certification courses in high school and earning certification as a certified nursing assistant (CNA). She worked in a nursing home while attending high school, and now as a full-time nursing student, she’s employed as a CNA on the medical-surgical unit at IU Health Arnett in Lafayette. Working toward her goal of becoming a nurse, Jennifer has received loving support and motivation from her parents.
“My parents have always told me, ‘échale muchas ganas hija y todo tus sueños se pueden hacer realidad,’ which in English means, ‘Give it your all, daughter, and all your dreams can come true.’”
With a strong interest in either oncology or hospice nursing, Jennifer hasn’t ruled out using her nursing education overseas.
“One of my goals is to work abroad as a nurse, whether that be in Mexico or another country I’m interested in,” she said. “I’m really open to anything and hopefully in the future I will be doing mission trips.”
