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Inky fingers and fun Kids Connection, a project coordinated by five IU Kokomo nursing students, drew hundreds of parents and their children to the IU Kokomo campus. Families lined up to have their youngsters fingerprinted, so that the prints could be used as identification in the event that a child would be abducted.
Lt. Shawn Haus of the Kokomo Police Department applauded the numerous child safety lessons adults could learn from exhibitors at the event. Kidnappings and other harmful incidents are “less likely to happen if we teach kids to be safe,” Haus said.
This “prevention is protection” focus resonated with the five seniors who conceptualized Kids Connection. Melissa Musselman and April Roles of Peru, Sara Mercer of Twelve Mile, Amy Guerin of Winamac and Sarah Hodapp of Kokomo were all pursuing bachelor of science degrees in nursing. Kids Connection was their community service project, a requirement for their community nursing course.
By letting nurses interact with the public outside traditional hospital and medical office settings, Roles said, projects such as Kids Connection help overcome “white coat syndrome.” The “syndrome” describes patients’ perceptions that health-care providers know more than they do, and shouldn’t be questioned. “It’s up to us to get to know the community and make people trust us,” Roles said.
Korea to Kokomo, Kokomo to Korea Eight nursing students and two instructors from Margaret Pritchard University (MPU) in Chonju, South Korea, were guests of the IU Kokomo School of Nursing last year. The Korean visitors were invited to observe American medical practices at St. Joseph Hospital, Howard Community Hospital and Century Villa Health Care. The Koreans lunched at the Kokomo Senior Citizens Center and talked with the center’s patrons. Several local churches welcomed the visitors at services, including Kokomo Assembly of God Korean Church, Faith Presbyterian Church, First Church of God and St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church. The group also visited area attractions, including Kokomo Opalescent Glass Company and Conner Prairie Museum. In Indianapolis, they toured Riley Hospital for Children and the office of Sigma Theta Tau, the nursing honor society.
In previous years, the two schools have exchanged nursing faculty. However, this was the first time that students had traveled.
Three Kokomo nursing students then traveled to South Korea. Exotic foods, beautiful mountainous terrain, congested cities and generous people make up their memories of the experience.
Last year, Vicky Thomas of Kokomo, Evon Rairdon of Sheridan and Crystal Johnston of Logansport became the first Kokomo nursing students to participate in the exchange between their school and MPU.
The IU Kokomo students stayed in a dormitory and attended classes with MPU’s 600 students. They took in various cultural sights, including a Korean folk village, the capital city of Seoul and the demilitarized zone at the border between North Korea and South Korea. The trip provided the practicum portion of the course titled “Korean Culture and Healthcare,” taught by exchange director Linda Wallace.
Eeze-the-Wheeze, KIDDS Kamp get new, roomier location With room for kickball, baseball and hiking, Kokomo’s Jackson Morrow Park proved a popular choice when Camp Eeze-the-Wheeze and KIDDS (Kids with Insulin Dependent Diabetes) Kamp moved last year.
Offered by the IU Kokomo School of Nursing since 1997, the annual day camps help youngsters cope with asthma and diabetes, respectively. Clinical associate professors of nursing Lynda Narwold and Bridget Whitmore were co-directors. While kids enjoyed crafts and sports, their parents attended educational sessions, presented by area health-care professionals.
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