145 From Campus to Care “Students from a nursing practicum prepare a feed tube for ‘Bill,’ a mock patient. Day-to-day routines helped prepare students for professional careers in the health care field.” Reprinted from Petit Jean 19921993 FROM CAMPUS TO All of the students in the College of Nursing were involved in the student-led Harding Nursing Student Association (HSNA). The HSNA was involved in fundraising and service projects as well as holding monthly meetings where speakers came to educate the students on specialty areas in nursing, or about a story from their life as a nurse. Harding’s local chapter was a part of state and national Student Nursing Associations, meaning they were able to attend annual state and national meetings. Through these meetings, students in the association were able to listen to guest speakers, run for state or national offices, and write proposals that could eventually work their way up to becoming national position statements by different nursing associations. Those position statements could have then become the foundation of bills and laws potentially used by the government. Assistant professor in the College of Nursing Marcus Binns was the faculty sponsor for the HNSA, along with Dr. Kim Swenson, associate professor of nursing. “There is a good reason we continue to be the top nursing school in the state,” Binns said. “Our students get excellent education, clinical experiences, and build our foundation on mission and faith. The field of nursing attracts people who want to help others, so all of our students are naturally-inclined to be caring, empathetic, and willing to seek out those hurting. Being a Christian nurse means we also view our work as a higher calling, so our students go into the field ready to live out the mission for which they have been called.” Senior Maddie Lowry served as president of the HNSA in the 2023-24 school year. “I have enjoyed getting to bring in different speakers to talk to our students and inspire them to be better nurses, give them perspectives that only few can offer, and give them opportunities that they might not have otherwise been aware of,” Lowry said. “I have gotten to work with our amazing faculty and learn so many leadership qualities from them that I hope to take into my future endeavors and I am grateful for that.” Harding was able to open a door for Lowry to participate in an internship summer 2023 that landed her a job in the specialized field of oncology. “I think Harding’s nursing program has prepared me to be a very well-rounded nurse who incorporates her Christian values into her care,” Lowry said. “It is very grueling, but it has to be.” Senior Ashlyn Voss served as vice president of the HNSA in the 2023-24 school year. Voss chose her career path because of inspiration she found in the Bible. “I always grew up reading stories of Jesus healing and serving people in the Bible,” Voss said. “A verse that specifically stuck with me was when he calls us to serve others as he served us. I believe being a Nurse allows the Holy Spirit to work through me to heal, care, and bring joy to patients during some of the lowest times in their life; just as Jesus did.” Being a part of HNSA gave Voss the opportunity to gain experience from visitations at Little Rock hospitals and attend conferences to hear experiences and wisdom from nurses. “It has given me several different opportunities through the variety of clinical experiences and has allowed me to interact with so many patients,” Voss said. “I know I have received a quality education, which gives me confidence as I start my career as a nurse.” Binns expressed great adoration for Harding’s College of Nursing and the opportunities it offered its students, namely HNSA. “We routinely hear from employers that they seek out our graduates because they know they are expertly prepared and passionate,” Binns said. “I get so excited each semester at graduation knowing that the world is about to be blessed by all of these special students that we have been pouring our knowledge into. I am encouraged every day knowing that the next generation of nurses will have our students among them.” Harding Nursing Student Association (HNSA) helps prepare students for success in their field.
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