SERVICE-LEARNING IN REAL TIME
After reading, "Service-Learning: Deepening Students' Commitment to Serve" by Linda Johanson in the April-June 2009 issue, I am motivated to bring change within our Bachelor's program at Saint Anthony College of Nursing (SACN). As a senior nursing student, I continue learning about the important services nurses provide beyond clinical. The concept of service-learning benefits the greater community. I agree with Johanson that serving others is a Christian principle that has an important role in the profession of nursing. Nursing depends on individuals who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of others. Reising, Allen, and Hall (2006, Student and community outcomes in service-learning, Journal of Nursing Education, 45[1], 512-518) completed a study at the Indiana University School of Nursing after developing a service-learning project for their nursing students. The students gained blood pressure and heart rate assessment skills while serving the public. After completion of 3 hours of service, the students were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding the project. Reising et al. reported the majority of the students felt they had made a difference in their community and had acquired new skills.
Part two of the study noted benefits in participating community members. Clients reported that after the hypertension screening, they realized a need to modify their behavior. As a result of changing their habits, some individuals had lowered their blood pressure and decreased their risk for hypertension.
I am hopeful that as a Catholic institution, service-learning will be a welcomed theory. SACN will be able to fulfill its mission by serving the local community with care and love. As student nurses, we are continually challenged to improve our technical skills while furthering our commitment to serving others.
-Jessica Ohlmacher
Saint Anthony College of Nursing, Rockton, IL
CFNP
Nurses Christian Fellowship (NCF) began a joint venture with the Christian Fellowship of Nurse Practitioners (CFNP) on January 1, 2010. NCF offers a national platform to CFNP and additional opportunities to minister to advance practice nurses. CFNP will become one of several focus ministries within NCF.
NCF is excited to add this advance practice option to its organization. Local NP chapters will be started in 2010. See http://www.ncf-jcn.org for more information on this combined venture and how advance practice nurses can benefit from NCF membership and ministry.
USING JCN ONLINE
Members of Nurses Christian Fellowship access online content by logging in as an NCF member at http://www.ncf-jcn.org and following the links to JCN Online at http://journals.lww.com/journalofchristiannursing. You need your membership ID # to log in at http://www.ncf-jcn.org. ONLY use your ID # on the NCF members only log-in. If you decide to register at http://journals.lww.com/journalofchristiannursing, no number is needed; just create a user name and password and complete the demographic information. You can access content as an NCF member without "registering"; however, registering at the LWW site allows you to save searches and create your own personalized article collections.
Subscribers to JCN who are not NCF members must register at http://journals.lww.com/journalofchristiannursing to access content. You will need your subscription ID # located on the printed mailing label on your journal to complete registration.
THE MINISTRY OF CARING
I read with interest the article, "The Power of Physical Touch" by Diggins in the April-June 2009 issue. I believe affirming our patients through touch, and sometimes an empathetic hug as Diggins did, is a very important avenue for nurses and nursing students to portray the ministry of caring that was exemplified by Jesus. The article also depicts the mission of JCN to encourage nurses and nursing students to practice nursing from a Christian-centered perspective. I hope my response can contribute to the advocacy of affirmation through touch among nurses.
-Fiona Okoroti
Saint Anthony College of Nursing, Rockford, IL