A growing Bosnian population in Kent County prompted graduate nursing student Gazelle Raven Animalia to make the refugees' experiences with post-traumatic stress the focus of a special study this year.
Many individuals in Kent County's Bosnian population went through really bad experiences and it's in our best interest as health professionals to become familiar with literature and empathize with them, Animalia said.
In 1992, Bosnian and Serbian forces launched a campaign of genocide against Muslim and Croatian civilians in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The nightmarish odyssey ended for many non-Serbians when they escaped to other countries such as the United States.
A lot of people we deal with have physical problems, but many of them are of a psychological origin, explains Lorraine Rodrigues-Fisher, Dean of the School of Nursing and faculty sponsor of the project. As nursing professionals, we must realize that life experiences can impact people. This needs to be integrated into nursing practice.
Animalia says the purpose of the study was to examine the lived experience of Bosnian refugees who suffered as the result of genocide. Four Bosnian refugees were asked to answer the research question: Describe your lived experience as a Bosnian refugee who has suffered as a result of genocide.
The findings of the study provided insight toward better understanding of the Bosnian refugee population. It helped develop strategies for care for Bosnian refugees population and provided information for teaching nurses and other health care professionals.
She did very well on the project, says Rodrigues-Fisher. It is very important for nurses to understand cultural differences in patients.
Along with wanting to become a nurse practitioner, Animalia would also like to become a nurse educator.
