Farm Science Review

by Luciana Pereyra

On a sunny day in September, surrounded by agricultural machinery and food trucks, College of Nursing students administered free healthcare screenings at the 63rd annual Farm Science Review. 

For more than six decades, the Farm Science Review at The Ohio State University Molly Caren Agricultural Center in London, Ohio, has brought people together to share agricultural innovation, technology and techniques. It’s also a great time for our nursing students to sharpen their skills by providing free health screenings to the community.

Senior BSN students from the Synthesis of the Determinants of Health to Address Population Health Outcomes class offered health screenings and provided health education as part of their clinical component throughout the three-day event. Students in this class also gain clinical hours by offering screenings and helping at a variety of food pantries and local schools, but for many, this is their first time working with rural populations.

“It’s great to have this service here,” one participant said while getting her blood pressure checked for the second time that day. Around 450 people stopped by the College of Nursing booth. Jennifer Forbush, DNP, APRN-CNP, explained that some of the health screening participants use this as their only touchpoint with the medical community. Students provided a list of resources including recommended health numbers and locations of clinics in the area. 

College of Nursing students also worked with nurses from The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) in their cancer outreach program at the Farm Science Review. Three nursing students rotated throughout the day to the Wexner Medical Center’s tent to observe skin and oral cancer screenings and to observe nurses providing patient education.

“The nursing students can spend time with nurses and hear what their real-life experiences are as direct care providers to our patients. It’s been a great day to engage with the community alongside their instructors and their team,” Emily Rush, MHA, RN, magnet program director for OSUCCC – James said.

Gabriella Gustitus, a BSN Honors student, enjoyed interacting with rural populations. “It’s been cool to talk to them and get to know their lifestyles,” she said. 

While checking a participant’s blood glucose levels, Gustitus admitted she doesn’t like getting her own finger pricked. “You did better than I did!” she told a participant after pricking his finger with a lancet. Then she explained what the values meant and what values are considered normal. 

As the students provided valuable healthcare screenings and information to attendees at the review, they also learned a lot. Gustitus, who is from Chicago, had a question for the farmers.

“Do they have cows here, and if so, can we please touch them?” She was delighted to talk to cattle farmer Jeff Winkle from Cedar Lane Farm and it turned out they had things in common – he also went to Ohio State and his daughter lives in Chicago. Gustitus and classmate Ella Kirkpatrick enjoyed petting Cedar Lane Farm’s cows and learning about their care.