BAY SPRINGS – Jones College launched the Practical Nursing program at the Jasper County Center in August 2022. Since then, students have been learning new skills and preparing for their futures. Recently, they began applying their skills and knowledge during the first, “Community Days of Service” program, coordinated by instructor, Latisha Houze. Besides learning skills, Houze has also been reinforcing soft skills and communication techniques which are also vital keys to a positive relationship between health professionals and patients.
Houze explained, “As students learn theories and skills, we also want to ensure they have compassion and are courteous to those they are caring for and their families.”
Some of the events the Practical Nursing (PN) students and staff at the Jasper County Center hosted for the community included the first blood drive with Vitalant Blood Services in response to the blood shortage. The PN students coordinated the event, recruited the participants and monitored the drive. The success of the program was evident when the initial donation goal was surpassed. This group is making plans for next year’s blood drive.
Next on the “community service” list included PN students traveling to Bay Springs Elementary to present a nutrition lesson to kindergarten students. Using the popular children’s book, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” Jones College Practical Nursing freshman, Chelsea Butler of Stringer, said she hopes kindergartners learned about the importance of good nutrition.
“It is important to teach children the benefits of eating healthy, so why not do it in a fun way? The kindergarten students were so interactive and ready to learn, and they did a wonderful job of helping us decide which healthy foods to feed our caterpillar!” said Butler.
The Practical Nursing students also conducted a free, drive-through blood pressure screening in Bay Springs to conclude the first day of community service.
Grant Crowder, Director of Jones College’s Jasper County Center noted, “It is exciting to see the growth of the Jasper County Center and the growing opportunities for Jasper County students and residents.”
Additionally, Jones College’s Jasper County Center hosted a collaboration between the West Jasper School District’s Health Science program and the new Jones College Practical Nursing program students. High School students from Bay Springs and Stringer attended the event and were able to participate in simulated work environments and skill sessions taught by the PN college students. After demonstrating nursing skills to the high school students in a “mini” clinical setting, the JC students evaluated the high school students’ abilities.
Megan Welborn, Health Science instructor for West Jasper School District said, “We are so fortunate to have such a great healthcare program located in Jasper County. My Healthcare and Clinical Services students enjoyed working with the Practical Nursing students at Jones College so much that we plan to make this an annual event.”
The goal of collaboration for both the college PN and high school students was to gain knowledge through the “mini lab” sessions. JC students were also evaluated on the high school student’s performance.
If you are interested in any of the programs offered at the Jasper County Center, please call 601-477-5473 for more information or go to the website, https://www.jcjc.edu/workforce/locations/jasper-campus/
Jones College Practical Nursing Students-Jasper County Center
Sarah Thompson – Stringer
Kailya Pierce – Vossburg
Kiamilia Ross – Louin
O’Nett Booth – Collins
Madalyn Bynum – Ellisville
Anthony Steele – Bay Springs
Jordyn Harris – Bay Springs
Destinee Burton – Mize
Isabella Graham – Stringer
Chelsea Butler – Stringer
Lexi Sims – Bay Spring
Delayna Harris – Stringer
Chelsey Booth – Mt. Olive
Abi Kupperschmid – Stringer
Anna Dykes – Stringer.