{"id":195407,"date":"2024-04-11T11:17:02","date_gmt":"2024-04-11T21:17:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=195407"},"modified":"2024-04-24T12:24:04","modified_gmt":"2024-04-24T22:24:04","slug":"future-dnp-empowers-communities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2024\/04\/11\/future-dnp-empowers-communities\/","title":{"rendered":"Future nurse practitioner empowers communities, one smile at a time"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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Hazel-Lyn Jarquio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Hazel-lyn Jarquio is dedicated to making a tangible impact in her community, one dental care lesson at a time. On the cusp of earning her Doctor of Nursing Practice<\/a> (DNP<\/abbr>) degree at the University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at M\u0101noa this spring, Jarquio\u2019s passion for pediatric health and her commitment to serving her community converge in her DNP<\/abbr> project, an educational video<\/a> aimed at addressing the prevalence of cavities among young children in Hawaiʻi<\/span>. <\/p>\n

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Head Start students watch Jarquio\u02bbs video.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Cavities are the most common early childhood disease in the United States, and Hawaiʻi<\/span> is no exception,” Jarquio explained. “About 60% of Hawaiʻi<\/span> Head Start children between 3 and 5 years old have already experienced cavities.”<\/p>\n

Hawai\u02bbi Head Start<\/a> is a federally funded program that delivers services to children and families in core areas of early learning, health and family well-being while engaging parents as partners every step of the way. Jarquio collaborated with the program and 东精影业<\/abbr> M\u0101noa nursing and dental hygiene faculty. Together they developed an easy-to-follow handout and video that is being shown and used by students, parents and teachers throughout the state. The short video features friendly animated characters “Dr. Kai” and “Samual,” who break down the importance of oral health and provide useful tips and food choices to prevent cavities. <\/p>\n

Check out more stories of our 东精影业<\/abbr> spring graduates<\/a><\/span>\t<\/p>\n

“I believe that in order to improve the oral health of our keiki, I need to start by educating the children and educating families about how cavities are made, how we can practice cavity prevention, and just going over appropriate snack choices to avoid cavities,” Jarquio said. “The materials were designed to resonate with families and educators of Hawaiʻi<\/span> Head Start.”<\/p>\n

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Jarquio presents her DNP<\/abbr> project.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“Hazel\u2019s project is a perfect example of how evidence-based education can be translated into a cute informative video that local families and kids will appreciate,” said Deborah Mattheus, Jarquio\u2019s academic advisor and nursing professor at the Nancy Atmospera-Walch School of Nursing<\/a> (NAWSON<\/abbr>). Mattheus is also the senior practice director for the Hawaiʻi<\/span> Keiki: Healthy & Ready to Learn Program<\/a> that provides school nursing services to all Hawaiʻi<\/span> State Department of Education (HIDOE<\/abbr>) public schools and a few select public charter schools. “Hazel\u2019s oral health video and flyer were so well received by Head Start Hawaiʻi<\/span>, that we requested and received approval to distribute her materials to all HIDOE<\/abbr> elementary schools next fall. Hazel\u2019s DNP<\/abbr> project will reach and educate thousands of keiki across the islands.”<\/p>\n

Bridging dreams with reality<\/h2>\n

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Jarquio has always had aspirations of becoming a nurse, which she steadfastly pursued. Her DNP<\/abbr> will be her third degree from 东精影业<\/abbr> M\u0101noa. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies<\/a> in 2019. She later enrolled into the Graduate Entry Program in Nursing<\/a> at NAWSON<\/abbr>, earning her bachelor of science in nursing in 2021, before embarking on her DNP<\/abbr> program.<\/p>\n

“Becoming a nurse practitioner has always been the end goal for my career,” she said. “I wanted to challenge myself and take things to the next level by applying research and investigation skills in practice.”<\/p>\n

Now, as she inches closer to completing her DNP<\/abbr>, Jarquio reflects on her journey with pride. She hopes to stay and practice in Hawaiʻi<\/span>, caring for the pediatric and\/or the young adult population.<\/p>\n

—by Arlene Abiang<\/em><\/p>\n