Rui Bettencourt praises work of Azorean and American young people in community nursing project
The Regional Assistant Secretary of the Presidency for External Relations stated in Ponta Delgada that the work jointly carried out by Azorean and American nurses in the area of community health is "very enriching and exciting."
Rui Bettencourt spoke to a group of students and professors from the universities of Massachusetts and the Azores in the context of the "Bridging the Atlantic" project. He emphasised the union of the two communities involved in this international initiative and the students' "great enthusiasm" for this theme.
This a "very interesting project" that unites two communities: the Azorean community in the archipelago and the Azorean community in the United States. It also involves the participation of some Americans who "are not of Azorean origin, but show interest in the Azores," said the Regional Secretary.
"They are nursing students who have already completed more than half of their degree. They are young people who are enthusiastic about this project and the social and cultural impact on nursing", stressed Rui Bettencourt. In this context, he emphasised the work that they will carry out in its community action "to mitigate the difficulties that fishing communities face in New Bedford and in the Azores."
The Regional Secretary also highlighted the fact that these young people, who met and joined in this project, are responding to concerns that are also of those of the Regional Government. According to him, the Government "had to join and cherish this project."
Moreover, Rui Bettencourt mentioned the importance of the outcome of this project, as it has happened throughout its four editions, and the desire to see what these young people "will say, convey and produce," after being involved in the project. Nevertheless, it is also important to see "concrete actions on the ground, health responses and what needs to be done in the fishing communities of New Bedford and the Azores.
"Bridging the Atlantic: an international community health partnership between nursing students and professors in the Azores and the USA" is a project developed by the universities of the Azores and Massachusetts. It is funded by the DeMello Charitable Foundation and the Government of the Azores.
The aim of this project is to establish sustainable collaborative professional relationships among nursing students, professors, universities and their communities. It also intends to prepare culturally competent nursing students, who are aware of the impact of global nursing and international cooperation in achieving positive health outcomes. Moreover, the development of a research plan for the conduction of studies based on mutual health care priorities to improve health outcomes in both countries are other goals of this initiative.
The group of nursing students and professors from the University of Massachusetts participates in joint learning activities with students and professors from the Nursing School of the University of the Azores. The initiative is taking place on the islands of São Miguel and Terceira.
In a second phase, which will be held in April, the Azorean Nursing students from both islands will travel to the USA with the same purpose.