Teaching at the Faculty of Nursing Science of the Episcopal University of Haiti

ABOUT THE SCHOOL
Core Values
At Faculté des Sciences Infirmières (Faculty of Nursing Science) of the Université Episcopale d'Haïti (Episcopal University of Haiti), we value:

Faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and model for how to live our lives.
Leadership as demonstrated by:
Responsibility in all our actions both personal and towards others.
Diligence in constantly moving forward to meet goals.
Integrity in our dealings with others.
Striving for Excellence in all that we do.
Respect and dignity for every human being.
Advocacy for people and the profession of nursing

Mission Statement
The Faculté des Sciences Infirmières (Faculty of Nursing Science) shares the Université Episcopale d'Haïti (Episcopal University of Haiti’s) commitment to teaching, research, and service and its recognition of the power of a Christian message in all we do.  Our mission is to offer a professional program of study in nursing science, incorporating public health principles and practices, to prepare its graduates for effective health care service as clinicians, leaders and agents of change.

Vision Statement
The program will provide its graduates with theoretical and clinical skills necessary for further professional education and growth, and an environment in which they can develop a desire for life-long learning and a passion for the ethical practice of nursing as a discipline of science, caring and compassion.  The program will be an expression of nursing as a ministry of Jesus Christ where the spiritual dimension is an integral component along with teaching and healing.

Further, the School will provide continuing education and post baccalaureate education to meet the needs of the Haitian community.  This includes the provision of professional service to the community and promotion of the nursing profession through scholarly activity.

Policy on Volunteers
The Governing Board members, Dean, Faculty, Staff and Students of the School of Nursing welcome interested volunteers to assist us in our accomplishing our mission. The following policy is intended to facilitate the best use of the time and talents of our volunteers.

Several general principles apply to all FSIL volunteers:
Volunteers must obtain permission from the Dean or the Dean’s designate at least one week prior to their visit. More time available for the Dean to plan the visit will enhance effective use of the volunteer’s and the Dean’s time. Visiting faculty (defined below) must obtain the Dean’s permission at least three months prior to the planned visit. The Dean will reserve the right to determine if the timing of the visit fits with the curricular or other needs of the school. Visiting Faculty must submit a curriculum vita and copies of nursing license and certifications to the Executive Committee of the Governing Board at least three months prior to the proposed visit. The Executive Committee in consultation with the Dean will determine whether the volunteer’s credentials meet criteria.

Volunteers will be under the direction of the Dean of the School or the Dean’s designate and will be expected to follow the rules and expectations given to them by the Dean. Volunteers will be provided with a copy of the Mission and the Vision Statements of the School and will be expected to act in accordance with the tenets of these two documents.

All policies of the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti and the Episcopal University of Haiti will apply.

Classification of Volunteers
FSIL appreciates the assistance of volunteers and understands that different individuals have different backgrounds and experiences. Therefore, the following classification of volunteers is presented:

FSIL  Visitor
A.  Definition – An FSIL Visitor is a nurse or a non-nurse who can volunteer several hours up to 3 days visiting the School of Nursing in Haiti. The purpose of the Visitor’s stay is to see the school first-hand and to be presented with the Mission and Vision of the School. The FSIL Visitor is expected to promote the School to interested parties in the U.S. or Canada with the hope of recruiting new donors for the school. While in Haiti, if time permits, the FSIL Visitor might help with projects such as taking inventory, arranging supplies, or providing clerical assistance.

Visiting Faculty
Visiting Instructor
Definition – A Visiting Instructor is a nurse or related health professional who holds a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (or related field) and certification in a clinical specialty area (eg: Lactation Specialist, Wound Care Specialist, Ostomy Specialist).

Role – A Visiting Instructor will provide between 2 and 10 hours of lecture in their area of clinical practice expertise. They may also provide bedside instruction in this area for 5-8 hours.

Visiting Lecturer
Definition – A Visiting Lecturer is a nurse or related health professional who holds a minimum of a Master’s Degree in Nursing (or related field).
Role – A Visiting Lecturer will provide classroom theory content for a clinical course. This will be approximately 45-60 hours of content for an entire course or 10-15 hours for a module or structured portion of a course. The Visiting Lecturer may also provide bedside instruction.

Expectations of both Visiting Instructors and Visiting Lecturers
The curriculum of the Faculty of Nursing Science shall guide the visitors.
Visitors will be expected to submit to the Dean at least 3 months in advance of the visit the following:
2-3 measurable objectives for each hour of class
A detailed outline of the content for each hour of class
The amount of time to be spent on each area of the outline
Teaching methods for each hour of class including student reading assignments
Methods of evaluation of student learning
The Dean will approve all teaching plans.
The Visiting Faculty members should make every effort to bring the appropriate teaching supplies from home. FSIL has video and powerpoint equipment, computers, and chalkboards. However, supplies such as photocopies, videos, books, etc are not readily available.

While at FSIL
The Dean is in charge and has capable assistants who will be glad to help you.

Important policies while visiting FSIL
Be aware of the following policy on relationships between donors/visitors and students:

The members of the Governing Board of the Faculty of Nursing Science of the Episcopal University of Haiti (FSIL) are especially appreciative of those individuals who donate time as volunteers or who make financial contribution to the school.  Without these monetary and time contributions, continuation of the school would be impossible. The following policy is written to provide specific direction to donors and students about the relationships between these two important groups of people in the FSIL family. The purpose of the policy is to enhance the quality of the relationships and to prevent interpersonal misunderstandings that might lead to fracturing of relationships.

1.   Financial donors who wish to communicate with a particular student must request the name and contact information from the Dean at the school.  Donors are under no obligation to contact students.
2.   Donors who do elect to receive a student’s name may choose to initiate mail or email contact. Such contact is entirely up to the donor. Students will be expected to respond to each letter or email contact. To allow for sufficient study time for students, donors are asked to keep email or mail contact to no more than six times per year.
3.    Volunteers to FSIL who have visited the FSIL campus, have met students in person, and have established a personal relationship must hold to the standard outlined in item #2 above and to all of the following standards.
3.    Donors or Volunteers who initiate email or mail contact are asked to refrain from sharing intimate details of their lives. Among this prohibited information would be such things as salary, specific details about social status, specific information about how to contact the donor (beyond the address or email), or personal problems.
4.   Furthermore, Donors or Volunteers are to refrain from issuing invitations to the students to visit or come to live, study, or work in the U.S. The faculty members of FSIL are working hard to educate students who will be committed to staying in Haiti as nurse leaders. Invitations to leave Haiti for any length of time are counterproductive to the stated purpose of the school to contribute nurse leaders for Haiti and are unacceptable.
5.   Donors and Volunteers are asked to refrain from giving money or material objects directly to any student. Gifts that are given to one student may alienate that student from their peers and do not reinforce the spirit of equality that is a hallmark of the FSIL. This includes the giving of money or material gifts for an individual student’s birthday or holidays. Donors and Volunteers are encouraged to gather interested groups of people who could work together to provide gifts for all students at holidays or birthdays. If an individual donor or volunteer wishes to provide a gift of some sort for all students, such gifts are quite welcome.
6.   Donors or Volunteers who wish to donate money for individual student use are asked to make that donation to the Dean’s Emergency Fund, held in the Haiti Nursing Foundation, rather than giving it directly to the student. These monies will be utilized at the Dean’s discretion for students in dire financial situations such as those who have urgent needs for food, clothing, shelter, or medical care. These monetary donations may not be designated for any one student. However, donors will know that when they donate to the Dean’s Emergency Fund, they will be indirectly assisting their student in the event that that individual has an urgent need.

Also please adhere to the policy on alcohol and smoking as follows:
In the interest of creating a healthy and safe environment at FSIL, members of the Governing Board of the Faculty of Nursing Science of the Episcopal University of Haiti (FSIL) have adopted the following policy about the use of any tobacco or alcohol products.

The following policy applies to students, faculty, staff, administration, visitors, and invited guests.

The use of tobacco in any form is prohibited in any building on the FSIL campus and any buildings rented by FSIL for use by the school. Furthermore, the use of tobacco in any form is prohibited on FSIL grounds or within 50 feet of any FSIL-owned or rented properties.

The use of alcohol in any form is prohibited in any building on the FSIL campus and any buildings rented by FSIL for use by the school. Furthermore, the use of alcohol in any form is prohibited on FSIL grounds or within 50 feet of any FSIL-owned or rented properties.

Any person who violates the above policy will be subject to any of the following consequences:
Verbal reprimand
Written reprimand
Suspension from the school for 1 to 3 days
Dismissal without the option of return
Appropriate consequences will be determined by the Dean or the Dean’s designee.

Your daily schedule will be something like: 
6:00 a.m. wake up (or earlier since the electricity might be off at 6:00 a.m.);
7:30 breakfast in the school cafeteria or hospital guest house;
8:00 a driver will take you to the school if you are at the guest house, otherwise, you will walk to the school from the student apartments;
9:00 Be introduced or introduce yourself to your class and begin teaching; Ask for a translator if needed
12:30 lunch in the school cafeteria
2:00 another class session – give breaks or end class when you think appropriate
4:00 finish teaching and return to room to relax or meet with individual students
6:00 dinner at the hospital guest house or school cafeteria
7:00 it is very likely that it will be dark at this time (please refer to the list of items to pack so that you can be prepared to occupy yourself in the dark after 7:00 p.m. There MAY be electric but pleased be prepared to deal without it in the evening and night).

You can check emails in the office during normal hours of operation.

Tips for teaching:
If you are not fluent in French, a translator will be provided.
It takes twice as long to lecture when there is a translator.
You should learn as much French as you can and try to use it.  They like it!
You can refer to your French-English dictionary if needed.
You should keep the content brief.
You will possibly be teaching twice a day:  in the morning and again in the afternoon. Don’t get discouraged when:
You feel you didn’t connect with students
You’re teaching something they already had (if you do, it only enhances what they know and validates the teaching they’ve received)

Personal safety:
There is a policeman/security guard on the premises 24 hours a day.  He will walk you back and forth from the apartment to the school if you would like.
It is very safe at the school.

Please have the Dean or the Dean’s designee review the Crisis Management Plan with you.

The water at the school is safe to drink and the food is safe to eat at the school. Do not drink water or eat food obtained off campus unless the Dean or the Dean’s designee gives the o.k.

Electricity and running water is not always available at the student apartments.  Be ready to use a bucket of water to flush the toilet or wash from.  The shower is lacking in water pressure, so it may be just a trickle of cool water which works fine in this warm climate.

You may have to go to the school to shower or use a hair dryer or other electrical appliance if the electricity is not running.

You will encounter a lot of animals who may wander in the school, even in the classroom.

There are cows, goats, and chickens all around on the school grounds.  There may be chickens, a cat and a dog in the cafeteria.  They will not hurt you!