May 27, 2025
Wallat Baban, a nursing student at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, was part of a group of students benefiting from a new partnership between the UMSL College of Nursing and the St. Louis-based skilled nursing community, Garden View Care Centers. “For me personally, I loved it because I hadn’t been in a nursing home before or seen what it was like,” Baban said. “Being able to see the process of what they do from the morning to the afternoon and just seeing the population of people who live there – it was eye-opening. It definitely made me consider working in that setting, honestly just because of the patients.” He added: “You could see it on their faces; they were happy for us to be there.” “Skilled nursing facilities across the country face ongoing shortages of qualified nurses, particularly those experienced in geriatric and dementia care,” said Courtney Nieves, chief executive officer of Garden View Care Centers. “By embedding students in real-world clinical settings like Garden View, the partnership helps prepare future nurses with firsthand knowledge of the unique demands and rewards of working with older adults.” Baban said, “I had a long, in-depth conversation with her, going into detail about what brought her to Garden View and why she was there,” and described how one resident’s immigrant story resonated with his own. “I came from an immigrant family, too; I’m first-generation,” Baban said. “My parents came here in 1996, so I understand the whole transition is not easy.”
“One of the most significant benefits of this partnership is the increased social and emotional engagement for residents,” Nieves said. “Students often bring warmth, conversation and companionship into the lives of residents, many of whom may be at risk of isolation. These intergenerational interactions foster a sense of purpose and connection, helping residents feel seen, heard and valued.” A study in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry notes that loneliness affects 25-60% of the older population, making these student-resident interactions especially impactful. Mindy Bier, co-director for the Center for Character and Citizenship and the Teresa M. Fischer Endowed Professor for Citizenship Education, said plans are in the works for the program to grow. While Baban continues to consider career options in acute care or working with pediatric patients, his day at Garden View Care Centers made a difference in his education by showing him the people-focused side of nursing. “It’s not just a clinical setting, it’s a home for these patients,” he said. “I think Garden View is possibly one of the best partnerships we have.”
