Josiah Jones Participates in Pediatric Project for Northwest

SENATOBIA, MS (11/30/2011)(readMedia)-- Josiah Jones of Hernando, a nursing student at Northwest Mississippi Community College recently participated in a pediatric teaching project with 51 fellow classmates at Shadow Oaks Elementary School in Horn Lake. Students enrolled in the pediatric nursing course presented subjects to the children including hand washing, germs, choking, nutrition, hygiene, dental care, playground safety and keeping hands to one's self, according to Northwest Division of Nursing instructor Sandra Davis.

"The purpose of the project is to educate a select population in the community and to assist this group in prevention of disease or by achieving improvement in their present health status," said Davis. "For this course we identify early elementary children."

The project, which was conducted Nov. 10, 15, 17 and 29 and Dec. 1, was organized by Shadow Oaks Elementary School nurse, Renee Gugert, a graduate of the Northwest Division of Nursing program.

The most enjoyable part of the pediatric project, according to participant Vivian Hudspeth, was watching the children get excited and involved in what the nursing students were teaching.

"Our group taught playground safety to a class of first graders, and we were pleasantly surprised at the participation we received from the students there," said Hudspeth.

The students spoke about the importance of not jumping out of swings, going down the slide, not up, always knowing your surroundings and keeping shoes tied. "We spoke of equipment safety, identifying loose screws or bolts and what you should do if you see such things," said Hudspeth.

The students also talked about being kind to others on the playground and taking turns. "We found the children to be very enthusiastic, eager to learn and mannerly," said Hudspeth.

The project taught Hudspeth not to underestimate a seven year old. "These kids came up with safety issues we didn't even think of," she said.