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Running Head: Canfield Fair

Canfield Fair

Alexandra Haluska

Youngstown State University

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Running Head: Canfield Fair

Today I was able to participate in taking blood pressures at the Canfield Fair. I was

nervous going into it knowing I haven’t taken a blood pressure in a while and I did not really

know what to expect. The medical barn was easy to find so I had time to look around. It was

very informative and welcoming at each of the booths. When it was our time to relieve the

group in front of us, the person in charge was very kind and lively making us excited to start

taking everyone’s blood pressure. Although the building was noisy, I was able to get into the

groove of taking each person’s blood pressure who sat in front of me. There was a steady flow

of people coming to the booth which made time go by very fast. Many of the people who came

to get their blood pressures read were very nice and appreciative of us being able to do this at no

cost. I was skeptical at first wondering why anyone would want to get their blood pressure taken

at the fair, but I soon realized this is an amazing aspect of the fair that these booths are available

to the public.

The community can be a setting for all levels of health care delivery. There was a variety

of people who came to get their blood pressures done. Some who knew exactly where theirs

should be around, some had no idea, some were on medicine and knew where they should be

while taking the medicine, and some did it to see where they were they were at and if it was an

“okay” number. The community is filled with many different types of people. Through this

experience I was able to talk to a Vietnam war veteran, an 11-year-old enjoying her French fries,

and a mother of 4 each while getting their blood pressure taken. Having the medical barn at the

fair is very resourceful for those coming. This is because it allows for people in the who come to

learn about resources in our community. Having the blood pressure booth allows for people who

do not normally get theirs taken be accessible to it. Also, for those who do get it taken have
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Running Head: Canfield Fair

another chance to get it checked to see where it is at. It can also be useful for those to see how

their hypertension medications are working.

The Canfield Fair allows people from throughout the state to be able to utilize this free

screening of hypertension. By having this and other screenings available allows the members of

the group screening help to teach the community, the person and their families, about their

health. In this case Junior nursing students were able to do just that. Taking blood pressures to

the people of the community who wanted it done helped to inform them what their reading was

and teaching them what it means. Many people asked what the contributors were to high blood

pressure and the other students and I were able to answer, as well as, tell them when it is

necessary to see a doctor to check it out.

From this experience I have learned I truly do love working with others. Although these

people were not necessarily sick, I was able to help them better know a number that effects their

health and learning a little about them in that short time. I had a really fun time being with my

fellow classmates, as well as, seeing and talking to new faces while being able to help them.

This was a great experience and I am glad that YSU has this event to offer.