PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Some Northern Maine Community College nursing students will acquire some real-world healthcare experience by participating in the upcoming annual free health fair sponsored by The Aroostook Medical Center on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Aroostook Centre Mall.
As part of their teaching project, NMCC nursing students are working with TAMC for the sixth year to help supply informational booths at the fall health fair. The students will set up educational displays describing different health and wellness-related topics, as well as assisting in giving flu shots.
Nursing students, as part of a course requirement in their senior year, develop and present a teaching project on a health-related topic.
“The educator role in the profession of nursing is vital to successful patient outcomes, especially when patients have to make treatment choices and decisions about their care,” said Mary Cornelio, RN, MSN, department chair of Nursing and Allied Health.
“This public health fair provides a forum for our nursing students to creatively combine the art and science of nursing in capturing the attention of people who attend seeking health information. With volumes of information available regarding health care, it is even more important that nurses help people understand what they need to know to make wise choices regarding their health.”
“This year students will have presentations related to nutrition and hydration, stress management, stroke awareness, effects of smoking, SIDS prevention, medical marijuana, and prevention of hearing loss,” said Eileen McDougal, RN, NMCC nursing instructor.
“The nursing students will also participate in the administration of flu vaccines to health fair attendees. Both activities support the educational outcomes of the nursing program and provide the students with valuable experience in community health.”
