After the experience, students and faculty typically
find the provision of this care important, satisfying,
and meaningful not only for the patients but also for
themselves. This is evident during postclinical
debriefing sessions, journal entries, class and clinical
evaluation, pre- and postreflection tools, and
faculty discussions. In fact, the provision of foot
care and intentional comfort touch is so meaningful
and has become so normative that students and
faculty seek out additional opportunities to offer it.
Recently, half of the senior nursing class volunteered
to participate in additional clinical time providing
foot care with vulnerable patients. This shift in the
culture of care is evidenced not only within our
school by student and faculty involvement but also
by the participation of our health care system’s Chief
Nursing Officer, the school’s alumnae, the Director
of Nursing for the local health department, and faculty
and physical therapy students. It is our observation
that early and frequent experiences of providing
foot care and intentional comfort touch with marginalized
populations has increased students’ understanding
of the importance of this care and their
eagerness to provide it as part of their practice.