Community & Global Engagement

Students and faculty at the WVU School of Nursing have abundant opportunities to engage with their local community and communities abroad. Through health fairs, statewide events, medical missions trips and study abroad trips, students can learn about other cultures and get hands-on experience in a variety of settings. 

Three students hold up a West Virginia University “Let’s go.” flag and walking sticks while standing in a jungle-like setting.

Students have a number of opportunities to study abroad, which can expand their understanding of global health.

A cyclist rides on a quiet country road near a quiet country church.

A study from WVU School of Nursing researcher Veronica Gallo highlights how faith community nurses can be key to addressing the mental health needs of people who attend churches, mosques, synagogues and other houses of worship. Her findings appear in the Journal of Christian Nursing.

Faith Community Nursing

Foundations of Faith Community Nursing, a course offered by the WVU School of Nursing, teaches participants how to improve health in faith communities, as well as to provide quality care to members of different faith backgrounds in the clinical care setting.

Once students have completed the course, they can begin making a difference in their communities — from establishing walking groups and hosting health screenings to sharing vaccination information and growing community gardens.

Nursing students in Japan work pose for a photo in a hallway.

The WVU School of Nursing collaboration with Hamamatsu Municipal Nursing College in Japan started in 2019 when Sugino Toshiko, an English-speaking faculty member from the Hamamatsu school, initiated a global exchange and was interested in connecting with programs in the United States to enhance cultural understanding and increase enrollment. Student Sydney Cain shared her experience during an Instagram takeover, showcasing city sights, cultural opportunities, nursing school experiences and more. 

Engaging Across the Globe

From study abroad learning experiences to immersive work in the field, our students and faculty have many opportunities to travel across the globe (virtually and in-person) to gain knowledge about other cultures and share their expertise in nursing. 

Campus & Community Health Fairs

WVU School of Nursing students, faculty and alumni actively engage with members of the community to provide holistic health and wellness services, resources and education.

Student teams work outdoors with an individual experiencing homelessness outside of a tent.

MUSHROOM

MUSHROOM, or Multidisciplinary UnSheltered Homeless Relief Outreach Of Morgantown, is a program that brings together medical, nursing, dental, social work and other health professional volunteers on "street rounds." Read more about a nursing faculty member's long-time work with the organization. 

Male nursing student uses penlight to examine a patient in an exam room.

Clinical Partnerships

The WVU School of Nursing supports our community health partners in need of nursing staff by connecting them with our faculty through the Office of Faculty Practice. Our instructors have worked in such diverse roles as primary care, substance abuse treatment, mental health, nurse anesthesia, pediatrics, faith community nursing, and other advanced practice positions. 

Ready to make an impact in your community?

Whether you are interested in earning your first degree or advancing your field of knowledge at the graduate level, the WVU School of Nursing has a program for you on one of our five campuses.

Learn about our campuses

West Virginia University School of Nursing campuses. A basic map of the State of West Virginia. Dots are placed on the map to indicate the five locations of the WVU School of Nursing campuses: Morgantown, Keyser, Bridgeport, Charleston and Beckley.