Student nurses give blood

Juanita Honh lined up to give blood

A small team of USQ nursing students recently joined forces and went under the ‘needle’ in an effort to contribute vital blood supplies to the Toowoomba Red Cross.

USQ lecturer in Nursing, Mrs Lisa Beccaria said first year nursing student representatives were encouraged to consider a community activity which nursing students could be involved in to connect with the community.

'Our nursing students are well supported by the community and this was a chance to give something back in a way which can improve the lives of many people,' she said.

'From a clinical perspective, nursing students involved in donating blood were able to observe the clinical practice of registered nurses and also learn more about the importance of blood products and how they are used within health care settings.

'For some students it also provides them with other employment perspectives.'

Nursing student representative, Juanita Hohn, said while the blood drive was a one off, they hoped to get students to organise another next year.

'The idea of the blood drive came from Lisa (Beccaria) and I thought it was a great idea to try to raise awareness for blood donation and to try and get the students motivated with other things other than study,' Juanita said.

'I am already a donor so I was hoping for a really good outcome to not only promote nursing as a career choice but also USQ nursing.

'It would be great to see the idea take off and eventually perhaps be a yearly event, perhaps having a competition against the other faculties in the university.'

The Red Cross Donation Centre is located at the Toowoomba Base Hospital in Pechey Street.

Contact Details:
Connie-Louise Rego, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 2977, 0400 025 429