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Chilicothe Nursing Students Share
Health Information with Area Schools
Approximately 80 Chillicothe Campus nursing students are involved in health fairs each quarter, sharing information on health-related topics with approximately 700 to 1,000 students at health fairs in area schools.
Not only does this help nursing students to gain practical 
experience in their professional field, but helps them to share valuable health education with area residents. This is the 10th year of the outreach program, which underscores the campus' emphasis on serving its students and serving its region by utilizing higher education to make a positive impact.
"This is a win-win situation because our students gain relevant experience and put in practice what they have learned in the classroom, and they also have the opportunity to serve the community," said Charlotte McManus, associate director of the OU-C nursing program. "The health fairs really capture the essence of the nursing profession," she added.
The events have focused on elementary and middle-school students, and this year the fairs will expand to include some high school students.
The OU-C nursing students do their homework before hitting the road for the health fairs. Each student is required to identify a relevant health-related topic, research the topic and demonstrate a way to share the information in a way that resonates with school-age students.
The informal, upbeat atmosphere of the health fairs, which utilize fun activities as a backdrop to serious topics, helps to facilitate authentic conversation with the students. For example, student Ashley Sprouse, a Chillicothe High School graduate, used hula hoops to discuss stress and coping strategies during a recent health fair at Unioto Junior High School.
"The fact that it is not a formal setting encourages the students to open up to us since they are not as embarrassed to speak up," Sprouse said. "It also helps me with career preparation since I learn better communication skills and I am better able to speak with youth, which I will have to do in my career."
For OU-C student Britney Neff, a Unioto High School grad, the recent event was a homecoming of sorts.
"It is nice to come back to my former school and enjoyable to see my former teachers. This is a way to give back to my school," she said. "I want to go into pediatrics, so this is a great opportunity to learn how to relate to students on their level."
Neff used a popular basketball game to encourage the students to "knock out" thoughts of depression and suicide.
"We are teaching them about activities that help them to stay active and positive. By using basketball, we are able to communicate important information on a level they can relate to," Neff said.
Kaitlyn Selbee, another Unioto High grad, talked about self-esteem and body image.
"It is good to be back," Selbee agreed. "Having us talk with students about real issues I would like to think is impactful. I feel like the students understand us. We may present information they have heard before, but it is in a different manner, and the students relate to that."
Levi Ingram, a Miami Trace High School grad who shared information on alcohol & tobacco abuse, is a veteran of the health-fair circuit.
"This is my third health fair. This helps me to learn how to communicate and to feel more comfortable talking with people, which is important for nurses," Ingram said. "Teaching is a big part of what we do as nurses. I feel real positive about what we are discussing, and the students seem to respond to it. They are only a few years from driving, so to talk about drinking and driving is especially relevant."
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