Many people don’t know what a “File of Life” is—or that they really ought to have one. But now, TLU nursing students will be offering some valuable community service, by helping local folks to create their own File of Life, a vital document packet that can save lives. It is kept in the home and contains medical information about the people who live there—like lists of emergency contacts, allergies, medications, insurance information, and more. For patients or seniors living on their own, should a medical emergency occur, the File of Life is used by first responders, allowing them to better assess the patient, who might be unable to communicate for themselves at such a time.
TLU Nursing is partnering with two local churches—Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church and Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church—to deliver this and many other medical services to the community at no charge. They’ll also offer health screenings, such as measuring and assessing blood pressure, pulse, respiratory rate, and temperature; education on medication and disease management; and targeted health promotion topics, bringing individualized education on chronic illness self-care, nutrition, and wellness practices to patients.
Participating volunteers are senior-level nursing students in the process of completing their final year in TLU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. The experience they gain through volunteering will help them put what they’re learning in their Community Health clinical course into practice. “These students bring advanced clinical knowledge to the community setting,” says Professor Emerita for Nursing Dr. Cecilia Trinidad. “The course prepares them to look beyond acute bedside hospital care to address the broader health needs of individuals, families, aggregates, and populations.”
So, while the program advances TLU’s mission of civic engagement, service-learning, and social responsibility by actively working to reduce regional health disparities and preparing practice-ready nurse leaders, it also fosters a healthier, safer, and more informed community.
Nursing students will be available at Spirit of Joy on the first, second, and fourth Mondays of each month, and at Our Lady on the first Monday of each month. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon at both locations. This service is open to all residents of Guadalupe County, and there is no cost to participate.
