It Takes a Village
For Christina Feggans-Langston, nursing isn’t just about treating patients; it’s about caring for the community.
Feggans-Langston, a clinical instructor and head nurse at the Westhaven CARES Center, connects Westhaven residents with critical medical care and vital resources, such as food banks and job programs, while also nurturing the next generation of nurses.
Born and raised in Charlottesville, Feggans-Langston grew up just two blocks from Westhaven, one of Charlottesville’s first public housing developments. In grade school, it’s where her friends lived, and was filled with protective grown-ups and extended family members who became like her own. It was there that she learned what it meant to be cared for in a community, a feeling that undergirds her own nursing philosophy today.
“I call it a safe haven,” said Feggans-Langston. “This clinic is just a safe space for everybody.”
Established in 1994, the Westhaven CARES Center provides holistic care: everything from blood pressure checks and sports physicals for kids to stocking a food pantry and supply closet with staples like diapers, laundry detergent, and toiletries, metaphorical resources that help nursing students understand the inextricable ties between community and individual health.
“People may not look at these services as health, but every moment of life can affect your health in some way,” said Feggans-Langston.
LEARNING TO CARE
For students, it can be a sharp learning curve for those who have never set foot in public housing.
“I think Christina is really good at making us feel comfortable in that space,” said Donna Nkurunziza (BSN ’24), from Fairfax, Va. “There are a lot of stereotypes associated with living in public housing.”
With Feggans-Langston’s guidance, pre-licensure BSN and CNL students help residents navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. They see Feggans-Langston make referrals and arrange transportation to medical appointments, and fill a variety of roles, from home visitor to nutritional adviser, scheduler to social worker.
“Working with Westhaven residents reminded me of why I got into nursing in the first place,” said Connor Brumbaugh (BSN ’24), of Winchester, Va., who maintained a connection to a Westhaven resident even after completing the class, visiting an elderly resident to read her mail to her and chat. “I’m starting out in the ICU after graduation, but I would love to graduate to a community health practice someday.”
The experience made Brumbaugh consider important questions about patients’ lives outside the hospital, too, he said. “How can we help prevent future hospitalizations? Do they have the resources they need to be successful? If not, what can we do as patient advocates to try and facilitate healthy practices in the outpatient setting?”
Nkurunziza agreed. “I have a new frame of reference to ask myself key questions like, ‘How are we following up with their care so that they don’t end up back in the hospital?’” she said.
For Feggans-Langston, watching students learn through community interactions is testament to the clinic’s value. And while their careers may take them in different directions, students leave with a better understanding of what it means to truly care for the community.
“Watching our students connect with our communities and learn about what it means to serve these populations, that’s powerful,” said Feggans-Langston.
