New Sim Lab
– Emily Brown
ADN Level 3 students Wendy White (left) and Megan Snider (right) are some of the first to utilize the new simulation lab.
I was privileged to be among the first five nursing students to use the new simulation lab in the Wharton Nursing Building.
I must say that I found this experience to be amazing and as close to a “real life” setting as possible. The room looked great, was well-organized, and had all of the equipment and clean supply we could need to care for our “patients.”
I absolutely loved that we were divided up into small groups per day of the week. In each small group, one student was chosen to act as the charge nurse, one acted at the RN, another the CNA, and the other two acted as our lab/respiratory team. Mrs. Covington was our acting physician.
What was even more progressive was that the students were given the ability to run the “unit” and patient care as we saw fit. Our patients mimicked those that we would likely see on a medical surgical floor.
I can honestly say that I enjoyed this experience and learned a lot. But most importantly, this exercise reinforced confidence in my own abilities when I “gave it my all.” It allowed me to prove to myself just how far I have come in the nursing program and what the instructors have instilled in me. I am excited to see what this simulation lab holds for us in the future.
Columbia County Mass Flu Clinic
– Megan Black
Senior BSN student Kinze Pickett helps in the drive-thru line outside the Columbia County Health Unit.
Nearly 750 residents of Columbia County received influenza vaccinations at the mass flu clinic on Thursday, October 25 at the Columbia County Health Unit. The Senior BSN Community Health class was on hand to assist with the clinic and provide flu shots to individuals.Students arrived at 6:00 am to receive an orientation from Director Melinda Harrell and help with set-up. The flu clinic opened at 7:00 am to a line of community members.
Students were able to rotate to the different stations inside and outside. There were both adult and pediatric stations inside, while outside the drive-thru clinic focused on handicapped individuals unable to go into the Health Unit.
Senior Josh Davis said, “I really enjoyed participating in the flu clinic; it’s nice to see so many people concerned about their health.” The variety of stations and number of individuals provided the students with a perfect setting to practice their community health skills.
Nursing Spotlight: Pre-health Recruiter
– Debbie McAdams
Debbie McAdams, Pre-health Recruiter
My name is Debbie McAdams and I am the pre-health recruiter for UAMS/AHEC in South Arkansas. Prior to serving in this position, I spent 23 years as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist practicing in health care settings.
I received a Bachelors of Science degree from University of Louisiana in Monroe. I will complete a Masters degree from the University of Arkansas in Operations Management in May 2013.
UAMS AHEC health careers recruitment’s mission is to address the growing shortage of healthcare professionals in rural Arkansas through fun and innovative programs in primary grades through college. I inform students about exciting and rewarding healthcare careers in the Natural State.
An education is a long-term investment. “A college degree is worth it, to the tune of $1.3 million in additional lifetime earnings, a very good return on even an expensive degree.” A health professional degree is both rewarding and challenging. Nursing is a wonderful career to build upon.
Some students need to get a degree quickly out of high school and get to work. An LPN degreed nurse is perfect for that. As time passes, she can go back to school and work toward her associate degree in nursing and then move up to a bachelor level and still advance in the profession to a masters level or a doctorate.
Not all health care choices have as many options or career paths to choose from as nursing. Every member of a health profession is an important team player. It takes everybody to be successful in a health care setting and everyone should work together for the same outcome.
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure
– Megan Black
Jamie Martin, Jordan Pearce and Gloria Lee getting ready to run in downtown Little Rock at Race for the Cure.
Nearly 45,000 participants gathered in downtown Little Rock on October 20 to walk, jog or run the 5 kilometer stretch that is Race for the Cure.
The Student Nurses’ Association team of 20 ran the course that began in downtown Little Rock, led over the bridge to North Little Rock and looped back around to the downtown area. This unique trail included bands, dance teams and even firefighters along the way all out to show their support. Many of the supporters handed out water and some even passed out flowers to the runners.
Many men fill the sides of the street during the race and this has become known as the “3 miles of men.” They toss out beads and cheer on the runners as they make their way along the race’s path. At the end of the race, the cancer survivors, who all dress in pink, take a “lap of survivors.”
The SNA team completed the race in about three hours.
BSN Senior and team co-captain Gabby Smith said, “It was an awesome experience and I would definitely do it again.”
Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser
– Clint Weldon
Nursing students work the SNA table in the Reynolds Center lobby. In the spirit of Halloween, students had fun dressing in surgical scrubs while raising money for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
The Southern Arkansas University Student Nurses’ Association held its annual fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation October 29-31 from 10 am to 2 pm in the Reynolds Center each day.
Over the three day period, the students raised $256.78 in donations and logged 72 hours of community service.
Teaching and Learning Fair
– Stephanie Seymour
The Teaching and Learning Fair will be held on Wednesday, November 14 at Southern Arkansas University.
Elementary students will be touring SAU campus and the nursing department is honored to be a host. Students will rotate through the new Simulation Lab and skills labs to practice hand washing, putting on personal protective equipment, and observe a simulation.
Any SNA members wishing to volunteer for SNA EDPG points, please contact Mrs. Seymour as soon as possible.
Mulerider Style
“Mulerider Style” star Terence Lee in front of the Science building on SAU’s campus.
Click here to watch the new “Mulerider Style” video – SAU’s version of the Gangnam Style dance taken all across campus. It features over 300 Mulerider students, faculty, staff and administration including some of our very own nursing students! Now, sit back, click, enjoy and help the “Mulerider Style” video go viral!
On the Chart is an e-Newsletter published by the Student Nurses’ Association of Southern Arkansas University. For suggestions or submissions, please contact Megan Black at mlblack9421@muleriders.saumag.edu.
