MA Student Nurses Association

I had the honor of attending a wonderful conference on Thursday that titled "Every nurse is an HIV nurse".  I grew up in the eighties when HIV was a new disease and many people did not understand its etiology and modes of transmission, which led to much fear and discrimination toward people diagnosed with HIV.  At this conference, we were able to learn more about HIV and AIDS, the community resources available to help people be tested for HIV and get the medications they desperately need.   A panel of people who are living with HIV and are leading healthy and happy lives culminated the conference.  Their stories were powerful and touching, and brought tears to my eyes. 

I took away many things from attending this conference most importantly: a better understanding of what it means to live with HIV and the challenges people with this disease face every day, things that health care workers can do to help this population, and what resources are available in my community to assist people.

Because I attended this conference, I was able to examine my own beliefs about people with HIV and incorporate the things I learned into my future practice as a RN.  I challenge all student nurses to examine their feelings about people living with HIV and to learn more about the people who have this illness. 

Michelle LaVallee

MASNA Western Mass. Regional Chairperson, 2010-2011