Senior Nursing Project Provides Health Fair

Piedmont Technical College's spring 2014 senior associate degree nursing (ADN) class recently sponsored a health fair to benefit the students and faculty at Ninety Six Elementary School. The project is part of the Nursing Management and Leadership course for ADN students.

“Volunteering and community service are a big part of the nursing field,” said Tara Harris, dean of nursing at PTC. “It also helps to create leaders.”

The course involves a capstone project in which the students are required to make all of the decisions. The students select a project and then divide into teams to handle each aspect, from marketing to fund-raising to securing vendors. Harris stated that the instructors offer guidance, but not assistance.

“Students have to learn conflict resolution and working on a team,” said Harris.

This class’s project was geared at educating the students on everything from water and sun safety and 911 awareness to bullying and internet safety. In the morning, the topics were set up in 15 stations with the students rotating between stations. In the afternoon, students were involved in activities such as an obstacle course, basketball and face painting. Also on hand were representatives from the Greenwood Fire Department, Greenwood EMS and Greenwood Sheriff’s Department to talk safety with the students. Self Regional Healthcare provided health screenings for not only the students but also for the faculty.

In addition to the health screenings and safety education, the students presented one student in each class with a free bicycle and helmet purchased with funds raised by the students with assistance from Walmart and Bikes and Boards.

“I have received nothing but compliments about this event,” said Charlene Louden, principal at Ninety Six Elementary. “My superintendent has requested that this become a yearly thing at our school.  I cannot say enough about the professionalism of the nursing students and the time and effort that went into making all of this happen.  I am so happy about the success of this event!!!”

“This experience helped teach us leadership, teamwork and delegation,” said Meghan Douglas, a nursing student from Ninety Six. “What we did and how we carried out this health fair is going to apply to our nursing careers.”

To learn more about the nursing program, contact the Admissions Office on the Greenwood campus at (864) 941-8369 or any county campus to sign up for a Health Science Information Session.  The session is offered three times a week and provides any information needed about pursuing a nursing career. 

Photo Caption: Piedmont Technical College’s spring 2014 senior associate degree nursing class recently sponsored a health fair to benefit the students and faculty at Ninety Six Elementary School.  Pictured, Shannon Grismer of Ware Shoals (left) and Tracy Hanna of Iva (right) measure height and weight of students at the school.