Homer nursing students stay busy with community service and training

by Jordana Newman  |   

Nursing students presenting at rotary club
First-semester Homer nursing students, Aurora Shadle and Haily Ricciardi present to the Homer Rotary Club. (Photo by Erin Workman/University of Alaska Anchorage)

School of Nursing (SON) students, Aurora Shadle and Haily Ricciardi, presented to the Homer Rotary Club on Dec. 1. They provided information on the UAA nursing program at Kachemak Bay Campus and on the Books For Africa organization in which the nursing students gathered gently used nursing texts to be donated. 

According to Erin Workman, the clinical instructor at the Homer campus, the rotary club generously paid the shipping costs for distribution to nursing students throughout Africa. "This was a great project and opportunity to develop a sense of community and give back. The donated nursing texts will be a valuable resource for the underserved nursing programs in Africa," said Workman.

Nursing students standing in training room
Third-semester Homer nursing students, Shiloh Wilson, Amber Steiner, and Carmie Lautenschlager receive advanced neonatal training and certification. (Photo by Erin Workman/University of Alaska Anchorage)

In addition to community service, SON students Shiloh Wilson, Amber Steiner, and Carmie Lautenschlager received advanced neonatal training and certification on Nov. 30. Their certification, Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) and S.T.A.B.L.E. (Sugar, Temperature, Airway, Blood pressure, Lab work, and Emotional support) course, was provided by SON Outreach Site Coordinator Stacy Brunquist during a visit to Homer. According to Workman, Brunquist is a neonatal nurse practitioner from Providence hospital in Anchorage and her work is extremely helpful to the students.

"These students benefited greatly from the specialty content and in-person hands-on skills presented by Stacy,” said Workman. “The opportunity to receive certification in both NRP and STABLE will provide advanced knowledge and skills as they prepare to enter the nursing profession."

For more information about the School of Nursing, visit uaa.alaska.edu/nursing.