BY JESSALYN KIRCHHOFF
GRAPHIC BY ALYXIUS TORRES
According to Tigerlink, the Fort Hays Association of Nursing Students (FHANS) is a constituent of the Kansas Association of Nursing Students which is overseen by the National Student Nursing Association.
Allison Bockwinkel, FHANS president, expands on this statement with the group’s goals.
“Our mission for this organization is to contribute to nursing education, represent the fundamental and professional aspects of nursing, and to aid in the development of the whole person and their responsibility for the health care of people in all walks of life,” Bockwinkel said.
Assistant Professor of Nursing Shauna Keil is one of the co-faculty sponsors for FHANS. Keil said FHANS cares for its members as well as others.
“As an organization, we tend to focus on service opportunities (making comfort care blankets, volunteering, adopting nursing home residents), student connections (guest speakers, inclusion of students in the nursing program) and exploring nursing (guest speakers, visiting EagleMed),” Keil said.
Keil continues by listing more ways in which FHANS has been involved with partners such as sponsorship of financial support to families of medically compromised children.
“[We also conduct] free blood pressure checks at community locations, create decorations for the local hospice organization, and partner with the Nurses Christian Fellowship and the American Red Cross Organization,” Keil said.
Madeline Lohmeyer, FHANS secretary, shares her personal experiences within the organization, saying being involved has positively impacted her college career.
“Our purpose is to build a nursing community with students in all parts of the nursing process from pre-nursing to senior second semester and I believe we have done just that,” Lohmeyer said.
Lohmeyer then opens up about one of her favorite moments with FHANS, a trip the group took to EagleMed to learn about medical transportation.
“The staff was very knowledgeable and shared an abundance of stories while offering support and encouragement,” she said.
Lohmeyer welcomes students to attend a meeting and encourages them to consider joining even if they are just exploring the idea of becoming a nurse.
“It is important because you learn just as much through experiences as you do studying at home,” she said. “You meet so many new faces and form connections you might not have made outside of class. The knowledge you will obtain, memories you will make, and friends you will meet are simply priceless.”
Bockwinkel gives her view on being involved on-campus, even if it is not through FHANS.
“It is incredibly important for students to be involved on campus. Fort Hays offers countless organizations that can help you become connected with people that share similar interests,” she said. “For me, I always knew nursing was my career path, but being involved in a variety of clubs can help students find their passion and then further explore what there is to offer in that area.”
Bockwinkel wraps things up by clearing a general misconception about the organization.
“I think the name of the organization can be misleading for some students,” she said. “You do not have to be in nursing school to become a member of our organization and we greatly encourage any student thinking about nursing or with questions about nursing to join.”
FHANS meets at 4:30 on the first Tuesday of each month in Stroup Hall. Reminders are sent through TigerLink. Any student is welcome to join.
As for upcoming events, in October, there will be a student occupational panel where students can ask questions about a variety of different nursing positions. November has guest speakers that are advanced practice and registered nurses scheduled. During December, FHANS adopts nursing home residents.
FHANS is also currently doing a fundraiser (selling shirts, hoodies, blankets, and cups) and the proceeds will go to school nurses in the Hays area.
For more general information on this organization, including how to join, go to https://tigerlink.fhsu.edu/organization/fhans .