Nursing students created an Annual Nursing Symbol. Pictured, left to right, Erika Bluel, Hope Elison, Kari Maldonado, President David Svaldi Kristi Schilling, Denis Muebake, Sam Cordero, Nursing Department Director Dr. Shawn Elliott, and Tinsae Berhe present the laser cut tree to the Adams State Nursing Department.
As part of the Adams State University Nursing Department’s Professional Practice class, this year’s senior nursing students created the first Annual Nursing Symbol. "They took discussion topics such as ethical and moral ideals to a new level, resulting in a vision statement to accompany their symbol, which is a tree laser cut in metal," said Elizabeth McCurdy, adjunct professor of nursing and course instructor.
Nursing students in McCurdy’s class chose three words to describe their class and what "nursing means to us," Kara Maldonado said. They decided on a tree, because "a tree starts small and with nurturing grows," said Erika Bluel. The tree has 20 leaves, one for each student in the class. "I am glad we didn’t leave anyone behind," Denis Muebake said.
Nursing Department Director Dr. Shawn Elliott said: "The symbol represents really well the ever changing field of nursing and evidence-based-practice. We never stop learning."
The Symbol is a tree laser cut in metal, with the most important attributes inscribed on the tree. "These students went above and beyond the call of duty to create something of lasting value," McCurdy added.
As the nursing class of 2015, we aspire to create a lasting impression of the guiding professional ethics and standards we deem most important to our class. We have defined and articulated, in an artistic format, a class symbol to honor our entry into the profession of nursing. Our goal with this project is to inspire future nurses to achieve excellence, compassion, and integrity, and to begin a new way of holding the historical memory of the ASU Nursing Program.
The symbol will be presented to each graduating nurse, and a larger, framed symbol will be displayed in the Nursing Department. "We hope this symbol will serve to inspire those that follow in our footsteps," McCurdy said.
For more information, contact the Nursing Department at 719-587-8171.
