News Roundup: Comic Design Project & Sophia's Lemonade Stand

Even with the quarter wrapping up, campuses continued plowing forward with new learning opportunities for students. Last month, community members with a love for design participated in a comic book project, nursing students tested out their skills during a mass simulation day and one campus raised money for a young girl’s lemonade stand.

Learn more about these important initiatives. And don’t forget to follow our Facebook page to get live updates from all of our campuses throughout the week!

One Instructor’s Love of Comics Leads to Opportunity for Community

Design instructor Russ Merritt has had a love of comics for as long as he can remember. He’s an avid reader and collector and has been a comic artist for more than 20 years.

“Growing up in the ‘60s I was constantly criticized—and even punished—for drawing comics in class,” he recalled. “I grew up vowing to never let go of my love for the medium and to work to make it respectable.”

Fast forward to March 2016 and the opportunity to get involved with comics arose once again. A colleague suggested he host a comic jam, a creative process where one or more artists collaborate on drawing or painting a single comic. Merritt agreed and worked tirelessly to make it feasible in Green Bay. Those who enrolled in the comic jam met and drew a comic book from 6 p.m. to midnight at the Rasmussen College Green Bay campus. The theme was “changes” and participants could concept their own story based upon that theme.

“The participants enjoyed drawing the comic and I enjoyed teaching and talking about comic scenes, ways of showing the page, composition and narrative,” Merritt said.

He said he intends to repeat the event locally as often as he can.

Campus Supports Lemonade Stand Aimed to Protect Police K-9s

When 8-year-old Florida resident Sophia Contino learned Pasco County K-9 units did not have proper protective equipment she was determined to raise money through lemonade stands and online fundraising. The Rasmussen College New Port Richey campus donated $500 to Sophia’s Lemonade Stand March 25 in addition to the $217 she earned selling lemonade on campus.

“As a public benefit corporation, Rasmussen takes pride in actively participating in community events and supporting causes whenever possible,” said Toni Curling, Rasmussen College executive program manager. “Rasmussen also has a longstanding relationship with the Pasco County Sheriff’s office. We actively support our corporate partners whenever possible.”

Contino’s efforts raised a total of $3,200, which she presented to the Pasco County sheriff. A portion of the funds has already been used to purchase one K-9 vest.

Visit Sophia's PCSO K9 Association Campaign Facebook page to read more about her story.

Student Nurses Close Out the Quarter Practicing to be a ‘Real Nurse’

Bloomington nursing students gathered March 4 for a mass simulation day – a day that tests their skills and allows them to experience working in a real-world nursing setting.

The simulation day happens at the final quarter of nursing classes. Students show up to simulation, split into groups and experience a variety of patient rooms. The ‘unit’ the patients are on resembles an emergency room setting. The students are given a brief report and expected to assess their patients and carry out the doctors’ orders.

“This special day allows the students to use the skills they’ve learned throughout the program, as well as put their assessment and prioritization skills to good use,” said Angela Dosdall, nursing instructor at Rasmussen College. “The students have said they get a lot out of it and we even have graduates come back to help with it.”

The feedback from students has been helpful, too. Dosdall said some of the biggest takeaways are that it helps the students work effectively as a team, work with difficult patients and learn to carry out orders in a timely manner to best serve their patients’ needs.

The simulation day is an accumulation of everything they’ve learned throughout the program. It’s a great way for students to cap off their clinical experiences.

“It is definitely a labor of love. A lot of time and effort go in to preparing for this simulation day,” said Dosdall. “As an instructor, it is a fun day for me to see how far our students have come.”