TYLER—For the third consecutive year, residents from Breckenridge Village of Tyler have served as subject matter experts for nearly 100 nursing students each semester at the University of Texas at Tyler.
Breckenridge Village of Tyler, a ministry of Baptist Child & Family Services, provides a faith-based residential community for adults with mild to moderate cognitive or developmental disorders.
Speaking to students during their community-nursing course, the Breckenridge Village residents provide students with an accurate perspective of the daily workings of their special community.
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Jane Ann Morrison (left), director of client services, congratulates Breckenridge Village residents Lacy, Cyndi and Jennifer, along with Patricia Matthews (right), a registered nurse at the residential community after their presentation to UT-Tyler nursing students.
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“Our residents love speaking to the nursing students, and (Breckenridge Village) staff always receive rave reviews from the nursing faculty about the value this experience provides for their students,” Breckenridge Village Executive Director Charles Dodson said.
Three residents shared how Breckenridge Village had improved their quality of life, while discussing the challenges they face as developmentally disabled adults.
A parent of one of the residents also spoke to the class, giving the group an idea of the care needed by adults with cognitive or developmental disorders and how Breckenridge Village meets those needs.
“Parents discuss how (Breckenridge Village) becomes their lifeline, especially as their special-needs children begin the aging process,” said Patricia Matthews, a registered nurse at the residential community.
In addition to the educational presentation, Breckenridge Village also provides a mentoring program for 50 UT-Tyler nursing students each semester. This experience provides students a day of practicum observation and the opportunity to interact with residents on the residential campus.
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Breckenridge Village staff and residents, led by Matthews, have the opportunity to teach nursing students firsthand about persons with developmental disabilities.
“Having (Breckenridge Vil-lage) residents come to our campus is the highlight of our semester. Students are able to recognize a perfect example of wellness in the residents as a result of quality care, which is exactly what we’re trying to teach them in this course,” said Nancy Ballard, UT-Tyler clinical instructor and co-coordinator for community health nursing.
For more information on Breckenridge Village of Tyler, visit www.bcfs.net.
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