Rural Location

Humboldt State University lies 270 miles north of San Francisco along the Pacific coastline. The major population centers of Eureka, Arcata, and McKinleyville are located on or near Humboldt Bay on a plain formed by drainage from numerous small creeks and the Eel and Mad Rivers. The University is located in the city of Arcata, population 16,000. Eight miles to the south is the largest city in the county, Eureka, population 27,000. The other major community, McKinleyville, population 11,000, lies about eight miles north of the University and is the location of the Eureka-Arcata airport. The total population of Humboldt County is approximately 120,000.

The nursing program is located in a rural area and by virtue of its location will expose the student nurse to the unique health needs and health care delivery found in a rural setting. Our setting dictates the preparation of a nurse who is a generalist rather than a specialist. Long distances to health care units, limited public transportation, and minimal support services create challenges in achieving health care and, therefore, necessitate that the nurse develop his or her advocacy skills to a high degree. Many clients must travel to San Francisco for sophisticated care such as renal transplants, burn care, or experimental procedures, and the nurse is called upon to act as a liaison in arrangements and follow up. In the more isolated areas of the county, health care is often delivered by community health nurses through satellite clinics and individual contact with families. The nurses, some of who are nurse practitioners, provide clients' physical assessments, screening tests, immunizations, and referrals to other community resources. These nurses must be self reliant to provide quality care to the under served in our area.

The Department of Nursing, one of fifteen departments in the College of Natural Resources and Sciences, offers an undergraduate program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science. To date, there have been more than 700 graduates from the program.

The department is fortunate in having excellent and varied clinical facilities in the immediate area for the learning environment of its students. Each year, careful coordination in use of facilities with the community college nursing program has made it possible for the faculty to plan experiences to meet both the objectives of the program and the objectives of the individual courses. Careful consideration is given to the role of the baccalaureate nurse in providing total care to patients and families, and exploration of the community has shown that there are many opportunities for learning in this area not available in large metropolitan areas.

 

 

 

 

 

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