As part of CN Week Celebration, a seminar was conducted at UNP Gymnasium last November 20, 2024. It was organized by the Nursing Student Organization led by Twinzle Miniano (governor) with the help of the College of Nursing, headed by Dean Francis Don L. Nero.

The first topic was about public health and leadership roles of nursing students in promoting community health. Ms. Mylene Amano-Bogaoan, nurse at the City Health Office of Vigan, Ilocos Sur, focused on the pivotal role of nurses in advancing community health initiatives. Students learned how nurses can collaborate with public health professionals to tackle issues on environmental health.

Community-based healthcare programs and their impact on rural health outcomes was the topic of Madam Rusdianingseh. She is a specialist in community nursing, with degrees from Universitas Indonesia and Universitas Airlangga Surabaya.

The seminar emphasized the importance of integrating public health strategies into everyday nursing practice, including advocating for policies that promote health equity. Through interactive workshops and real-world case studies, students gained insights on the social determinants of health and the impact of nursing interventions on population health.

The event highlighted how nurses, with their unique position in healthcare, can significantly contribute to improving public health outcomes and shaping healthier communities.

Another resource speaker is Atty. Chino de Leon, a private practitioner at De Leon Law. He discussed the Safe Spaces Act and its role in gender equality. Safe Spaces Acts play an important role in creating inclusive and supportive spaces in which people of all genders can express themselves without fear of discrimination or harassment.

It seeks to protect people from gender-based violence and to establish environments that empower marginalized groups. Understanding these rules enables nursing students to deliver compassionate care in conditions that respect everyone’s rights.

He emphasized that promoting gender equality in healthcare settings not only improves patient care, but also fosters a culture of respect, decency, and fairness, which leads to better outcomes for all.

The last speaker was Atty. Katrynn Louise R. Eder, director of the Center for Gender and Development, who discussed the need to redefining gender roles for more equitable society. She stressed how gender influences health outcomes and care delivery. Gender disparities in healthcare are a critical issue, with women, gender minorities, and other marginalized groups often facing unequal access to services, health education, and treatment.

This seminar aimed to equip nursing students with the knowledge and skills to integrate gender-sensitive approaches into their practice. It also highlighted the importance of understanding the community people and their needs, the social determinants of health, and how gender roles impact individuals.

The nursing students learned about evidence-based strategies to promote health equity and advocate for policy changes in healthcare systems. The seminar encouraged students to become advocates for public health and gender equity within clinical settings and broader healthcare policy.

Article by Elaine Victoria Ferrer. Photo by Joel Tipon.