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Document Sample
Published by the Nursing Students Association
The DSLCC NSA is a constituent chapter of the NSNA and the VNSA
October 2007
Community Outreach is Really Reaching Out!
-The Aluminum Can Drive for Habitat-
The Community Outreach Committee got the ball rolling for the Aluminum Can Drive to raise
funds Habitat for Humanity in the Covington, Clifton Forge, and Rockbridge County areas.
Pictured above are from left, Joyce Edwards, VP for finance and administration, NSA
members Karen Butler, Hannah Ripani and Amy Ledford, NSA President
The Outcome
Community Outreach Co-chair Ginger Lipes (at left) and NSA member Karen
Butler awarded Alleghany Habitat for Humanity $ 100.00 from the proceeds of the
sale of aluminum cans. With them above are John Barnes, President, Alleghany
Habitat (far right) and Gary Wallace, Habitat Director.
SYNERGY: October 2007
Committee Updates ….…2 Inspirational Speech…....4-5
Calendar of Events ….….3 Creative Corner… …….5-11
News and Events……......3 Editorial……………..….12
Committee Updates
All committee chairs are to submit written reports at meetings so this section of the Synergy is updated.
Membership:
Please see attached sheet regarding membership. Recruitment for NSA
membership is open to Pre-Nursing students.
Community Outreach: This committee is continuing to collect cans for Habitat for Humanity,
and canned food drives, job well done! A package to Glenn Anderson, serving in
Afghanistan, was mailed out. A $100 check was given to John Burns, the president of
the Alleghany Chapter, for Habitat for Humanity. There is now a new Rockbridge group
of students collecting aluminum cans for Rockbridge Habitat. Ginger and Tina co-chairs.
Sports: Anyone for Samba?! If interested, meet at the Moomaw Center on Monday’s
October 15, 22, & 29 and November 4, 12, & 16 from 11-11:30 a.m. Room 502. Let’s
get our groove on! Walking is now Wed. mornings before class. Karen and Brandi – co-chairs
Scrapbook: No report.
Executive Board:
Welcomed newly elected officers Summer Helper-Vice President, Nicole
Kellison-Assistant Secretary and Nicolas Shoemaker-Assistant Treasurer. Discussion
was held to make plans for the upcoming Membership Meeting scheduled for October 26
(moved to November 2) including New Membership Packets and Induction of Officers
and New Members. NSNA Mid Year Conference to be held on November 15-18 in
Kansas City Missouri. Reviewed Committees and responsibilities of the Chairs and Co-
Chairs. Adjourned meeting and scheduled the next Executive Broad Meeting for
November 7 at 2:45pm.
Newsletter:
There was a September issue, now this October issue. Please submit your
November items for inclusion to Amy Ledford, Natalie Wallace, or Adrianne Reyns by
Nov. 10.
Capping and Pinning:
Please start thinking about a speaker and a photographer. Pretty soon
we will be making nominations. Diane and Tammy – co- chairs
Alumni:Tammy Mace and Nick Shoemaker will co-chair. This committee will create a
master list all of the Alumni – of the DSLCC nursing program.
Calendar of Events
October 19th: Job Fair, DSLCC, Kendal Flu Shots
October 20th: Career Day in Buena Vista
October 21st: Rockbridge Hospice Hustle
November 2nd: Induction of new members into NSA, Installation of New Officers
Congratulations Ginger Lipes on winning the 2007 DSLCC Showcase Award.
Thanks for your dedication and hard work as chair and co-chair of Community Outreach!
Nursing Students Sponsor Flowerbeds on Campus!
What a wonderful opportunity to be involved in the maintenance of out beautifully
landscaped campus. Nursing students and others are sponsoring different flowerbeds
throughout the campus. Enthusiastic Nursing students adopted the Gazebo beside the
Moomaw Center, where we all hang around during break and other times. Thanks to all for
making it happen!
VNA District 9 Legislative Meeting
A legislative dinner was held at the Augusta Medical Center Community Building on
Wed. October 10. Sponsored by the Virginia Nurses Association District 9, Faculty and
nursing students who attended were: David Wiley, Christina Creech, Connie, Parkin, Cynthia
Ray, Marcia Tingler-Oliver, Ginger Lipes, Natalie Wallace, Ann May, and Gloria Smitka.
Nurses and students presented questions and listened to the responses and positions of
Virginia politicians and candidates for political offices. Nursing Education, Nursing
Shortage, the Scope of the Practice for Nurse Practitioners were some of the topics
covered.
4
program at Dabney S. Lancaster
Community College? My immediate
answer to that question is “family”! As
you sit here today and look around you,
A Dream to Reality: An you may be thinking “this group of
strangers is not my family, what is she
Inspirational Speech talking about”. And at this moment, you
may be right. But, as the days become
By: Tammy Mace weeks, and the weeks become months,
Delivered at the PN Graduation, August 18, 2007
you will find that a bond has slowly
been formed, and that this group of
The faculty, staff, NSA strangers here today have indeed
Executive Board, and the ADN Class of become your extended family. I
2008 of Dabney S. Lancaster promise you this; you will be spending
Community College, would like to more time with the people in this room,
welcome each of you to the nursing than you will with your own family.
program and to congratulate you on Whether you are happy or sad, these
your achievements and hard work. We people will be here to celebrate with
would also like to congratulate the 2nd you or to console you. You will begin to
year nursing students on successfully share things with them that you can’t
completing the LPN program. It has share with your immediate family
definitely been a long and hard road, because you will realize that only
but we made it! another nursing student can truly
When I was asked to be the understand the trials and tribulations
speaker for today, panic set in, and I that you will go through as you are
wondered “Oh my goodness, what will I following your dreams. I promise you
speak about, and what pearls of that there will be times when you will
wisdom can I impart to our new nursing cry together, and times that you will
students?” Thoughts and ideas began laugh together, and no one will be
tumbling around in the little bit of there for you more than your fellow
space left in my overloaded brain. nursing students and instructors.
I encourage the incoming The nursing program here at
nursing students to make the most of Dabney S. Lancaster Community
the next two years. Absorb everything College will teach you key skills in
that the nursing program and NSA has leadership and teamwork. By joining
to offer you. It will carry on with you the NSA and becoming an active
when you become a full-fledged member, you will gain the opportunities
registered nurse beginning a career to put these skills into practice and
that will bring you fulfillment that only make a difference in the communities
a nurse can know. You will become a in which you live. Not only will you
stronger, more confident person, not acquire leadership and teamwork skills,
only within your career, but also within but you will also gain the opportunity
your own personal life. to give back to your community
One thought that I have that through community outreach
sticks out among the many others is projects, making you a more
the question, What does the nursing
5
Tammy Mace Speech con’t.
granted. I would also like to thank my
fellow nursing students for all of the
compassionate and understanding love and support that they have given
nurse. to me and to each other.
Your instructors, the faculty, In closing, I would like to say
and other staff members are here to that we are truly a “family” and we are
support you and help you to achieve honored to have each and every one of
your dreams. I beg of you to please you as part of our family. I hope that
make good use of this support, it will you will mingle and mix and become
be invaluable to you. They truly love acquainted with your new family. I
what they do, and they very much want know that God will truly bless each and
to help you in any way that they can every one of us and that the glory is
because they want you to be the best His. In the coming months, when times
nurse that you can be. I don’t believe are hard and you don’t think you can go
that you can find a better nursing on, remember that God promises never
program or better instructors to forsake us, and that the strangers
anywhere. in this room, today, are proof of His
I would like to thank Gloria promise. So, I wish each of you good
Smitka, Ann May, Debbie Williams, luck and many blessings as you start
Karen Persinger, Lisa Edwards, Judy out on this new path that God has
Coleman, Julia Carter and the rest of shown you.
the faculty and staff, for everything
that they have done for myself, and
for my fellow nursing students. The
love and support that you have given to
us will never be forgotten or taken for
A Nurse's Wish
Author: Unknown
Submitted by AdriAnne Raines,
To do the things that comfort and heal.
Second-year student
Suffering makes patients' fear grow worse
To be a nurse requires dedication,
And they seek reassurance from their nurse.
With years of study and preparation.
Help me see things from their point of view
I pray for guidance and humbly ask,
And always to know what is best to do.
That I will do well with this chosen task.
May I have a part, in some small way,
When illness strikes or pain demands,
In restoring good health to someone today.
And a life is placed within my hands,
Let my work be all that I want it to be--
Give me compassion, knowledge and skill
I ask the great healer to work through me.
6
Creative Corner Listening to Stories, My Kendal Rotation
Brian Jenkins, first year nursing student
Students are encouraged to write items for the
DSLCC Synergy, the NSA newsletter. Here are
the results of their creativity. Borden Center, the skilled nursing wing of Kendal
of Lexington, located in Rockbridge County is an
interesting place and this is where our group is
Her Last Night at Home assigned for the nursing home rotation. It's one of
Originally published in THE ATLANTIC MONTHLY those places that make you think about life, what
Author: Johnathan Musgrove, First-year student. it means to be alive, the importance of quality of
life, how you want to go about living life and on
Her last night at home
whose terms. Spending time at Kendall has
she phoned, out of breath. certainly made me think about some of these
I was still half asleep things. Getting old, physically frail, and to the
when she said, “There’s a bird point where you can no longer take care of
or a bat, loose in the house. yourself is a reality. It happens. This could very
Please can you come home now?” well be me in another 40-50 years (if the bird flu
or bush doesn't get me and others first. But I've
From outside I could see still got 40-50 years (hopefully). The clients that
the light in every window. we've been interacting with are there now and
She met me at the door, the issues I have mentioned are part of their daily
“It’s behind the curtain realities. I can't help but empathize with the folks
in the dining room, I think. I meet. As depressing as this all sounds, I find it
Something flew down the stairs.” amazing that the clients are as upbeat and
She handed me a tennis racket, positive as they are. I think this helps everyone
and sat exhausted, thin, pale. working there stay upbeat, and it turns into a
cycle of positive reinforcement for all parties
I looked everywhere: the cellar, involved. I have enjoyed my time there so far. The
upstairs, in every window.
best part for me is just sitting and talking with the
residents. I like listening to stories about
Nothing was behind the curtain
Rockbridge County in the old days and most of
except the night, black,
the people I've met are happy to share their
full of morphine, and her house
memories and stories. Everyone enjoys
flooded with all its lights,
themselves and or me, that is the best part of my
reflecting back in the glass,
Kendall experience.
rooms unfolding one after another:
a long corridor to an empty kitchen.
7
Grandmother
Valerie Schooler, first year nursing student
The Past: When I was young, growing up, I The Rockbridge Hospice Hustle
had lived with my grandmother. As she By Amanda Church, first year nursing
aged, she was placed in and out of nursing student
homes she did not consider home. Her
experiences somehow affected me and I It was a wonderful day for walking Sunday
developed a strong dislike for nursing afternoon, let me tell you, the weather was
homes. fabulous and the cause was delightful!
Martha, Brandi and I were ready to get
The Present: Now in the nursing program at rocking! Gloria found us at Hopkins Green
DSLCC. What do I go through but that my in Lexington , she took pictures at the start
first clinical rotation is going to be in a and off we went! Man, did it get hot though.
nursing home. I dreaded this, my inner being We had to make a short pit stop at VMI!
fought against it. My mind told me , “you (Brandi had a bathroom emergency!) We
will be reminded of grandmother!” should have performed catheterization before
we left, All in all it was a wonderful
When I first stepped into the Kendal Borden experience with a great nursing family.
Center the nursing home of Kendal, I was Next year perhaps my mom and sister will
scared to death. I was afraid of what tag along.
memories will stir up for me. I had a few
break downs to say the least!! But the more
time I have spent there the more I see that
it is a wonderful establishment and how
wonderful the employees with the
residents.
Now that we have only one more clinical
rotation, I wish we had more time to spend
with the whole group of residents that make
Kendal their home!!
The Future: Someday, I hope to become a
caring nurse.
8
to blue, then yellow and so on the ringing
depending on the pointers’ direction.
The Musical Therapy of Chimes" Amazing Grace- with the piano
Faith Huff, DSLCC, first year nursing student accompaniment, chimes in chords ringing.
How Great Thou Art!!
The first day of our clinical, and I must say He Touched Me!! And so on. We went on
that my nerves were more than a little to octaves, everyone was assigned specific
shaken. "What would it be like?" I notes. Background music turned on, Mrs.
wondered. My insides were trembling as I Knudson conducted: Edelweiss, America,
went to meet my resident. However, within the Beautiful were the distinct favorites.
minutes of meeting my resident, I felt more What a wonderful melody, as each one rang
at ease. her own chime. The whole music became a
wonderful melody.
She was friendly and outgoing despite a
handicap and she put me at ease right away. My apprehension for the clinical day and for
By 9:45 AM, Ms. M was looking forward to a each day that followed totally melted away!!
trip to Heritage Hall, another retirement Seeing the residents taking part in chimes
facility in Lexington for a joint chimes choir. and Mrs. Knudson working so well with the
But it was not to be. Too many residents residents was a wonderful experience. Not
were not feeling well that day and they had only was it therapeutic for the residents, but
to stay in. However her face lit up when she it provided a calming sensation for me also. I
found out that there would be chimes right won't forget my first clinical day, sharing the
there at Kendal with the ones who were not fun of chimes with the Kendal residents.
ill. (And has been every week since our After that first day, we all started to feel
rotation started. Perhaps there was no need comfortable – two weeks after I am now
the leader who points to the RED, BLUE,
to go to Heritage Hall while we nursing
YELLOW cards as each one rings. As you
students could fill in the gaps). And since
can guess, I am now an avid fan of the
then every clinical day at 9:45 students and Kendal chimes choir.
residents alike look forward to the Chimes
choir. We students help gather and
encourage residents to play or to listen.
I understood once I went with my resident _____
to the chimes session why she was looking
forward to this activity. Mrs. Knudson, the
friendly music therapist and Chimes choir
director put everyone at ease. She
welcomed us students, brought the chimes
out from the cases: A, B, C, D E, F chimes
notes (color coded in red, blue, yellow,
green,etc.) and assigned us students and
residents alike. (I was apprehensive still, will
I play accurately, I wondered?) Mrs.
Knudson ran her fingers on the piano giving
us a warm up. Opening chords - Amazing
Grace she announced – Red starts, Harriet,
the leader pointed, to the colored squares
and we rang - the chimes in unison, pointer
9
On days I let my self esteem get low
Hands on - A Great Experience and my stress level is off the charts I can
by Jennifer Williams, first year nursing student now think about what my resident has told
me and this keeps me going on to continue
The day had finally arrived to wear my for a more positive outcome in 2009.
fully ironed white uniform to show others Kendal was a very good first experience for
what we all have learned in the past few me and I hope other students had the same
weeks. As my classmates and I walked to opportunities I did. As for Webster she was
the front entrance to Kendal my stomach was not at the door greeting us on the way out. I
churning and my nerves were making me assumed she was looking for a treat I mean
think of all the negative things that could treats.
happen. And then when I walked in the door After all, Halloween is just around the
there it was, one of the loves of my life was corner.
greeting me into the main lobby it was-- _______
Webster the cat. This is just not any
ordinary cat. It is dark orange in color, has
great self-esteem about herself, and weighs a
lot. Webster is so fat she cannot rollover on
her back. Webster helped relax my nerves as
she alked (meowed) to me while waiting for
the others.
It is now time to make our way into the
nursing home and meet everyone. We all
got the names and room number to our
residents and off we went. My experience
with that was this is it, we are on our own.
Everything I had been taught in the last few
weeks from our instructors and second year “Mrs. N”
students was running quickly through my Ashley Moore, DSLCC first year nursing student
mind before I reached the resident’s room. I
found the room walked in trying to be very At first I thought she was rude,
professional and guess what? No one was in sometimes even a bit crude.
the room. Now what? Thank God for Gloria She didn’t like her husband or the nurses.
Smitka. She directed me in another When she looked at me,
resident’s room and told me to talk to her. I I felt her casting curses.
said “ok.” The residents and the workers at Then one day I was assigned to her.
Kendal are some of the nicest people you I realized how funny
would ever want to meet. They took and personable she could be.
us in under their wing and showed us things One-on-one time was the cure.
that will help a lot in our future career. The And to my heart, she had the key.
resident I had was such a fine and very I’m going to miss our time spent together.
educated person. She taught me things about Profoundly!!
Africa and copyright lawyer work. Her
travels came up a lot in our conversations.
She is a very persistent and easy
going person and was always encouraging
me to continue with school. She always let
me know I will be a very good nurse and she
hopes to see me later in my career field
doing what she thinks I do best.
10
The Check - off
Gloria Smitka, NSA Faculty Advisor
Gathering
Gloria Smitka, NSA Faculty Advisor “Would you check me off?”
Alright, are you ready?, you said.
They come, slowly, “I think so, I’ve read, watched, viewed,
holding on to the railings. practiced every step we were told….
They march on wheels, also a mental scenario, I hold
directed by hands, and yes I am prepared,
feet shuffling one after the other. if that’s what you mean.” I said.
Five of them here huddled, The “rights” all in place: the order,
others almost at various points the patient and all: safety,
some at the halfway mark body mechanics, center of gravity,
some just inching slowly communication and more
emerging from hallways. …..positive attitude most of all.
This direction.
Equipment? Supplies?
“Would you like me to help you on?” Armed with my kit……I start,
-Yes, please would you mind?- Per instructions
of Kozier & Erb, am I right?
Necks in lateral flexion, I pick up the first item
spines in forward direction a blue color unfold, latex
shaped in C minor. Behave calmly, my heart
An arm resting on a foam cushion rhythm range regular .
Hair coiffed, combed in 50’s, 60’s fashion
Sweaters, slacks matching, Dominant hand in,
Facing another similar day! non –dominant assists.
Non - dominant’s turn.
More arrive … by the wall, Dominant great charge:
they are parked Zero contaminants allowed.
chairs and wheels together locked
like cars in a parking lot, Continue then: I pick up a blue square,
no alarms set off. drop it
….Arrange all items, you said.
All attentive… listening.. This goes here , that one there.
There is music…lute! Very calm, am proud, everything in
exact order …
“Right here is fine!” Thank you. Ready one, two, three! SMILE!
”Done!! Bravo, the applause divine.
Where hallways converge, “Hon, wake up, don’t be late!
Mr. Maslow please meet Mr. Erickson. By the way, who is sterile?”
Huh???
(The Check-off was inspired by a student who shared
with me about her husband waking her up while she
was trying to “document” in her sleep. GS)
11
Lessons Learned At Kendal
Angie Alford, DSLCC first year nursing I know that sounds simple, and I guess,
student looking back now, it really wasn’t too bad.
There we were at 8:00 a.m. on a However, at the time I think we, the
Thursday morning; a group of anxious students, were the ones experiencing sensory
nursing students in our blue pinafores, overload. We were in a new, strange
huddled together and walking down the environment; there were new sights, new
winding halls of Kendal. We had no idea sounds and a lot of new smells. We began to
what to expect and from the perplexed looks learn the necessity of being able to adapt
we were getting as everyone stopped to quickly and think critically as we cared for
watch us pass by, the staff and residents of our assigned resident and others needing our
Kendal didn’t know what to make of our assistance. Oh, I also need to mention the
invasion either. We were led to the nursing fact that the body mechanics we reviewed in
station, given our assignments and we were skills became very important.
off. (The orientation was a couple of weeks Nonetheless, it didn’t take very long
prior so we knew where the rooms were to realize that being a nurse isn't all just
located at. and who our assigned residents wearing cute scrubs with stethoscopes
were going to be but have not met them around the neck; but that being a nurse
then.) We went from room to room and requires caring, thinking, comforting,
identified our residents. Some were still communicating and is truly back breaking.
asleep, some not wanting to be bothered, We left Kendal at the end of that first clinical
ultimately it was up to us to apply our first day feeling, for the most part, a little
assigned skill: communication skills and overwhelmed, but with each visit we have all
through application of this skill to get to seemed a little more at ease. Although, we
know to know and assist our resident as have an incredible amount to learn and have
much as possible. It was made clear by our challenging and exhausting days ahead, the
instructor that day, the chart was not the smiles and gentle hands of the residents at
priority, the resident was. We were to pore Kendal have confirmed for me, at least, that I
over the charts on our own time for the care really want to be a nurse.
plans and case studies.
Thanksgiving
Ellen Essex, First-year Nursing Student
I would like to take the opportunity to thank God, the Father, through is Son Jesus Christ, for
allowing me to enter the Nursing Program here at DSLCC. I prayed and prayed for His answer, but my
faith wasn’t where it should have been. I should not have doubted God the Father in any way and I am
truly sorry. From now on, I am putting my total faith where it is supposed to be, with God. I would like to
also thank the members of the A Center, Student Services, faculty, friends, Father McGinnity, and my
husband (Rudolph Essex) for all the love and support they have given me. My dream to be a nurse has
always been alive in my heart. Now God, the Father, has placed me in this position to make my dream come
true and it’s up to me to make it happen.
12
The Synergy is posted on the NSAwebsite: http://clubs.dslcc.edu.nsa
Co-editors: Amy Ledford, Adrianne Reyns, and Natalie Wallace
Submit items by the 10th of each month.
Editorial
As we continue on that winding road to professionalism, don’t forget to pull over
and enjoy the view. A long road has been traveled thus far, but it will only become
more interesting and stressful….are you up for it? Ask yourself if you have done
something for someone that comes straight from the heart lately! Give back and
don’t be afraid to share….both parties will reap the benefits. Also, make every
attempt to gain knowledge and give people the benefit of the doubt….every cover
of a book should have the benefit of being explored. Learn from one another, as
others will learn from you……Natalie Wallace
Happy Halloween from the Synergy Editors:
13
NSA Members
2007 - 2008
Luciana Adams Summer Hepler Constance Parkin
Angela Alford Faith Huff Diane Perdue
Marcia Alfred Brian Jenkins Adrianne Reyns
Joshua Armentrout Susan Johnson Hannah Ripani
Martha Brown Trista Jones Valerie Schooler
Brandi Bruce Nicole Kellison Jessica Sherman
Matthew Burch Heather Kisamore Nicholas Shoemaker
Karen Butler Sara Larkin Charmaine Simpson
Amanda Church Emily Lawson Marcia Tingler- Oliver
Judy Craft Amy Ledford Natalie Wallace
Justina Dunaway Ginger Lipes David Wiley
Ellen Essex Tammy Mace Shannon Weikle
Joanne Forbes Johnathan Musgrove Jennifer Williams
Jennifer Hayslett Joyce Nicely
Pre- Nursing Members
Shannon Ware
Kelli Miller Jane Webb
Catherine Dressler Michelle Winebrenner
THE Nursing Student Association Executive Board
2007 - 2008
President: Amy Ledford Membership: M.Tingler Oliver & N. Kellison
First Vice President: Summer Hepler Fundraising: S. Hepler & J. Hayslett
Second Vice President: Tammy Mace Scrapbook: E. Lawson
Treasurer: Hannah Ripani Synergy: A. Ledford, A. Reyns, N. Wallace
2nd Treasurer: Nicholas Shoemaker Bulletin Boards: J. Nicely & S. Johnson
Secretary: Marcia Tingler-Oliver Capping and Pinning: D. Perdue & T. Mace
2nd Secretary: Nicole Kellison Alumni: T. Mace & N. Shoemaker
Parliamentarian: Natalie Wallace Sports: K. Butler & B. Bruce
Faculty Advisors: G. Smitka & A. May
Committee Chairs
Community Outreach: V. Lipes & J. Dunaway
