Elon nursing students visited a pediatric hospital in Puerto Rico as part of a Winter Term course in the U.S. territory.
Elon University nursing students had a unique opportunity to observe healthcare delivery at the highest level during a guided tour of Puerto Rico’s main pediatric hospital on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Led by Professors Cyra Kuussman and Jeanmarie Koonts, the visit offered students an in-depth look at pediatric care within one of the island’s most critical healthcare institutions.
The tour was designed to expose students to clinical practices beyond the mainland United States and to highlight both the strengths and challenges of healthcare systems serving diverse populations. Students observed patient care areas, learned about hospital operations, and engaged in discussions with local healthcare professionals about pediatric nursing in Puerto Rico.
Adding to the significance of the visit was an unexpected coincidence: the Governor of Puerto Rico, Jenniffer González-Colón, was also touring the hospital that same day. The governor held a press conference on site to address a recently announced increase in pay for nurses across the island, drawing attention to one of the most pressing issues facing Puerto Rico’s healthcare system today.
Like many regions across the United States, Puerto Rico is experiencing an acute shortage of nurses. Years of workforce migration, demanding working conditions and comparatively lower wages have contributed to staffing challenges that impact patient care and hospital capacity. The governor’s announcement of increased nurse compensation was widely welcomed by healthcare professionals and administrators, who see it as a critical step toward retaining talent and strengthening the island’s healthcare infrastructure.
For Elon nursing students, witnessing the Governor’s visit firsthand brought classroom discussions about workforce shortages, healthcare policy, and professional advocacy into sharp focus.
“It was powerful for students to see how policy decisions directly affect nurses and patient care,” said Kuussman. “This experience connected theory, practice and policy in a very real way.”
Koonts echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the value of experiential learning.
“Our students were able to observe not only clinical environments, but also the broader systems that shape healthcare delivery. That kind of exposure is invaluable as they prepare for their future careers.”
Students noted that seeing nurses at the center of a public policy discussion reinforced the importance of advocacy and leadership within the profession. Others reflected on the global nature of nursing challenges, recognizing that workforce shortages and compensation concerns extend far beyond any single location.
The visit to the pediatric hospital underscored the critical role nurses play in healthcare systems and highlighted the importance of continued investment in the profession. For Elon’s nursing students, the experience served as both a learning opportunity and a reminder of the impact nurses can have—not only at the bedside, but also in shaping the future of healthcare.