GREENEVILLE – Tusculum University nursing students demonstrated their community service skills and support of patients during a special event Wednesday, Oct. 2, at First Baptist Church for breast cancer survivors.
Tusculum University nursing student Destiny Davis paints the toenails of a woman at Spa Day.
The church hosted Spa Day, sponsored by Ballad Health, to pamper these women with a full suite of services. With the smell of essential oils and spa music filling the room, ladies indulged in mini-manicures, mini-pedicures, foot soaks, foot massages, aroma therapy, chair massages, lavender hand massages and mini-facials. They enjoyed elegant foods and herb-infused beverages, received valuable information from students and participated in prayer opportunities.
The Tusculum School of Nursing brought 24 of its students to perform many of the services and assist with other tasks. Brodie West, a senior nursing student from Greeneville, welcomed the opportunity to support women battling cancer.
“Whenever you hear about breast cancer, the message is often focused on the physical element of the diagnosis,” West said. “But there is really so much more to those women than what you are treating. You need to treat them as a whole and holistically. They might just want to come in and feel like a lady because their illness might have impacted their self-esteem.”
Alice Lawson, an assistant professor at the nursing school, said the students are in a community health nursing class. Carol Hicks, another assistant professor, said the class addresses public health nursing, community nursing, illness prevention and health promotion. Professors send students to home health agencies, health departments and community organizations during the semester to see how nurses deliver care outside a hospital or other inpatient setting.
Tusculum University nursing students participated in many activities during Spa Day at First Baptist Church in Greeneville.
“We are getting them involved in the community through this class, which is an integral part of Tusculum’s focus on civic engagement,” Lawson said. “With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this event is a great way for our students to be involved in an important community initiative.”
Destiny Davis, another senior nursing student from Greeneville, worked on a cancer floor at Johnson City Medical Center a couple of times and saw the physical and emotional challenges patients experience with cancer. She said it was humbling to participate in Spa Day and uplift the women served.
Tosha Gergish, another senior nursing student, said Spa Day enabled her to give back to the women participating in the event. Assisting these women taught her compassion and communication skills that will be vital in her nursing career, she said.
Reflecting on the students, Ann Williams, breast nurse navigator for Greeneville Community Hospital East, was grateful for their participation.
“We could not perform as many services at Spa Day without them, and their instructors have been fabulous partners in this initiative,” Williams said. “Through this event, the students will further grow their appreciation for service and develop a servant’s heart. It will prepare them well for their careers.”