草榴社区

As one of two inaugural Davis scholars at the College, Elizabeth 鈥淟iz鈥� Long explored the role of nursing in human trafficking (HT) at a Philadelphia academic medical center鈥檚 emergency department (ED) this summer.  Liz now has a greater appreciation for the amount of attention and detail that goes into applying for IRB approval and how diligently IRB Board members work to protect human rights. She felt fortunate to have an expedited IRB review at both 草榴社区 and the clinical site for the summer and was pleasantly surprised by the fluidity of the entire process. Similarly, Liz gained tremendous respect for nurses who conduct research on a daily basis as she understands the challenge of subject recruitment and data collection.

Although recruitment became an unexpected challenge in the ED, as the nurses are extremely busy caring for a diverse patient population, she was very lucky to have such experienced and knowledgeable nurses who took time to share their stories. The nurses were very knowledgeable regarding places for victims of domestic violence to seek refuge, but were not aware of specific places that HT victims could be treated. Finally, Liz discovered that the ED did not provide any in-services or continuing education courses on how to care for or screen for victims of HT.

Liz鈥檚 experience with her study 鈥淧olicies and Perceptions of Human Trafficking: Examining Nurses鈥� Views on Human Trafficking Victims in the Emergency Department鈥� gave her insight into patient diversity and shed light on areas for future education in the nursing field. 鈥淣urses are at the front lines of patient care and it is imperative that we educate ourselves on how to better identify and care for this unique population of human trafficking victims,鈥� says Liz.

Liz worked with Professor Elizabeth Dowdell, PhD, RN, FAAN who explains the significance of Liz鈥檚 work, 鈥淗er qualitative study, supported by the Davis Family, suggests that a systemic approach is needed to help Emergency Department nurses, as well as other types of nurses, develop best practices when working with victims of human trafficking.  Her research will lead to professional conversations about what educational programs and policies are needed to help nurses identify then provide resources to these very vulnerable victims.鈥�

After becoming more aware of human trafficking in America, Liz has realized the potential for students to advocate for the screening and care for these patients, noting, 鈥淎t 草榴社区, we are encouraged and taught to be more than 鈥榡ust a student鈥� by advocating for our patients and communicating with the interprofessional team.鈥� Liz is planning to disseminate her research findings at the 草榴社区 College of Nursing Annual Research Symposium, the College of Nursing Undergraduate Research Day and the National Student Nurses鈥� Association Convention in April 2015. She hopes to apply her findings into forming a hospital policy to screen for victims of human trafficking.