Photo by Ted Iliff
Nurses from 20 countries will gain practical knowledge from U.S. experts
From left Mary Varkey, India; Iran Bolouri, Iran; Chai-Won Skin, Korea; Kyung Soon Park, Korea; and Myrna Nunez, the Philippine Islands, look over reports which will help them in their Nurses' Exchange Visitor Program at the KU Medical Center.
Two-year program
Nurses at home in U.S.
Former Chancellor W. Clark Wescoe helped to instigate many programs while at KU and one of these was the Nurses' Exchange Visitor Program at the KU Medical Center.
"Chancellor Wescoe laid the groundwork for the program in 1956," said Mrs. K. Williamson, R.N., coordinator of the Exchange Visitor Program.
The program was expanded from '15 participants representing 20 countries including Korea, Japan, India, the Philippines, Biafra, Rhodesia and Iran.
Mrs. Williamson said that not all applicants could be accepted, but those accepted must be graduates of an accredited school of nursing, having a certificate of licensure from their own country; have completed a minimum of two years practice nursing and able to speak, write and comprehend English.
The two-year program was approved by the Kansas State Board of Nursing which regulates enrollment, said Mrs. Williamson. She said the objective of the exchange was to help the nurses and their profession by increasing the nurses' general knowledge and skills, developing comprehension and continuity in nursing care, encourage exchange to upgrade patient care in all countries and provide a median of exchange for cultures of both American and visiting nurses.
Mrs. Myron Greene, R.N., is the coordinator for In-Service Education which encompasses the Nursing Program.
She said there were few problems of students returning to their country when their two-year study visas expired.
Mrs. Greene enumerated some of the reasons why the differences do occur and also why many girls looked forward to going home. She said the standard of living is much better here since many of the girls come from underdeveloped countries.
Some of the girls go to Canada and live for two years after passing state board exams and receiving American licensures. This allows them a promised position and helps them acquire a tion and helps them acquired a permanent American visa, said Mrs. Greene.
For other girls there is a cultural shock said Mrs. Williamson. They have subservient roles at home and expect to retain native customs.
This also presents a problem for exchange physicians Mrs. Williamson said, because American nurses are given directions, but not in a subservient capacity. Many of the girls look forward to returning to their countries to set up new programs and systems learned here.
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Miss Iran Boleuri, an exchange nurse from Iran, said she was anxious to take back her knowledge of new machines because nursing care was almost the same in her country. She said the American people were friendly and helpful to her.
Kyung Soon Park of Korea said they have team nursing care in Seoul and that there was little difference in the surgery techniques practiced here and in Korea.
Mrs. Greene said many foreign students are given training in connection with the Kansas State Boards to maintain the level of care and standardization of state nursing. She said operating the program takes patience and understanding because many times nursing in the girls' countries is
Myrna Nunez of the Philippines said work is departmentalized. She said girls were fortunate in having a program open to them.
The In-Service was well planned and gave her many new ideas to take home.
different from nursing here.
To help those exchange nurses and the department nurses where they work, explanation guides and facts of the girls' home country are given to help orient the departments' staff members, said Mrs. Greene.
Mrs. Greene said girls feel more at home in the United States, living with people-to-people families. The purpose of these families is to help the girls learn the American way of life and give them a friend in foreign situations.
Many times these ties have been established long before the girls come to the United States Mrs. Greene said. During their stay here, educational opportunities are offered to the nurses in the Kansas City area.
Penn Valley Community College, KU extension service and Rockhurst College offer courses for master's studies which will transfer to each girls' home country.
A conversational English course is offered at an area college to help the girls speak fluent English
Reaction of most exchange nurses is to learn all they can while they are here. Many have a great deal to learn while they are here, said Mrs. Williamson.
Hardin wedding set
The engagement of Nancy Hardin, daughter of Clifford M. Hardin, Secretary of Agriculture and former chancellor of the University of Nebraska and Douglas Langston Rogers, son of William P. Rodgers, Secretary of State, was announced late last month by her parents.
Nancy, a 1969 KU graduate, said they were planning a small Jan. 31 wedding for family and friends. Her brother, the Rev. Clifford Hardin of Denver will perform the ceremony at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C.
Nancy, 21, is a first year law student at the University of Virginia. Rogers, 23, is a second year law student at Yale University. They met Jan. 25, 1969, at the White House swearing-in ceremonies for cabinet members.
"Douglas took one look at
Nancy and said "let's get better acquainted with the Hardins," said Mrs. Rogers. "But he's so shy he didn't have nerve enough to ask her out until June."
Mrs. Rogers said they realized Doug and Nancy were getting serious when he started commuting between New Haven and Charlottesville every weekend.
After their marriage, Nancy and Doug will live in New Haven where both will attend Yale Law School.
Nancy majored in social work and graduated from KU with highest distinction after three years of study. She was a Hilltopper, outstanding Greek, member of Mortar Board, Phi Beta Kappa, CWENS and Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.
Doug was a 1968 graduate of his parents' alma mater, Cornell University.
SUA presents
Blood Sweat & Tears
in Concert at Hoch December 2
7:00 & 9:30 p.m.
Ticket Prices:
$3.00, $3.50, & $4.00
On sale at Kief's, The Sound,
and Richardson Music Co.