While volunteering with a homeless outreach group, a pair of 国产主播-Texas students were able to do more than hand out hot meals and warm blankets when they provided medical aid to a woman in need. 

Fueled by a shared passion for helping others, WCU-Texas聽nursing聽students Lexie H. and Ashely M.聽had originally聽offered聽to serve food and hand out socks and hygiene kits聽with the nonprofit group Metro Relief.聽But when Metro Relief聽staff聽learned聽they聽were nursing students,聽Lexie and Ashely聽were聽asked聽to聽assist聽a聽woman聽at the聽shelter.聽

鈥淲e went to her tent and let her know that we were student nurse volunteers with Metro Relief,鈥� Lexie said. 鈥淲hen she came out, we saw the open wound on her foot and hand.鈥� 

First-aid kit in hand, the WCU-Texas nursing students cleaned the woman鈥檚 wounds, changed the bandages, and provided some information to the woman on caring for her injuries.  

鈥淲e had skills that we were able to apply. We know wound care. We felt confident and comfortable,鈥� Lexie said. 

For Ashely, the experience was an opportunity to step out of her comfort zone and provided a better understanding of what different patients go through. 

鈥淚t was hard seeing the number of tents and learning about the struggles of the different individuals,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was a humbling experience.鈥� 

Ashely said she would recommend all nursing students find volunteer opportunities where they can be hands-on in the community. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 important to stay in that humble mindset,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou won鈥檛 stay there if you don鈥檛 get out of your bubble.鈥� 

Lexie and Ashely said they plan to continue volunteering with Metro Relief and hoped others at WCU would join them. 

鈥淲e鈥檙e not certified yet,鈥� Lexie said, 鈥渂ut we can do these tasks that make a difference for this organization.鈥� 

WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.