An open letter from Susan P. Williams, instructor for Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing class in Nursing Department, fall 2004.

In the fall of 2004 the evening Psychiatric Mental Health class of Raritan Valley Community College participated in a service learning project that combined course material with homeland security. As part of civic engagement, the nursing students were assigned a project related to the post 9/11 effects on mental health.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is part of the curricula and is taught during the psychiatric rotation. It was agreed among the class to use the information known about this disorder as a basis for the research and to produce subsequent educational materials. This assignment required searching the literature for what had been studied, writing a paper critiquing the latest research and producing educational materials regarding the signs and symptoms of PTSD in children, adults and senior citizens.

The class had only seven weeks to assess, implement, evaluate and produce the materials for dissemination. They divided into three groups. Each group focused on the particular age related stage of development of the target population. The students created pamphlets listing the different manifestations of PTSD and included community resource information for treatment. The information was then posted to the Homeland Security web page.

There are many benefits to the community with this type of project. The information is relevant in identification and treatment of PTSD. The nurse is made aware of the effects of trauma, and uses this information in the care, treatment and successful outcome for the community.

This was truly a learning experience for both the class and the instructor. It reinforced the nursing process, civic engagement and demonstrated the dedication and competence of our future registered nurses.

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