SJRCC PRESS RELEASE July 2008 SJRCC student nurses donate books to Iraqi nursing school The St. Johns River Community College Student Nurses Association recently began a book drive in an effort to support U.S. military nurses in Iraq and their mission to begin a nursing school for Iraqi residents. SJRCC nursing instructor and SNA faculty advisor Kathy Hagy, RN, MSN, CCRN, said students from the Palatka and Orange Park Campus programs were sending more than just boxes of books - they were sending hope. "Part of the calling to become a nurse is the desire to care for and help others - a sense of duty that reaches beyond medical needs," Hagy said. "Sometimes we forget how accessible everything is in this country. We saw an opportunity where we could reach out and support the call of nursing beyond our borders." More than 600 nursing and health-related textbooks were donated by SJRCC students and faculty, the University of North Florida, Orange Park Medical Center, and local residents. Clay County resident and SNA president Eileen Brown said the response has been remarkable, and she anticipates collecting as many as 1,000 books before they are shipped. "Once the word got out, the response was amazing, with people wanting to give and give," Brown said. "It's about helping your brother. We're all humans." Hagy suggested the idea of a book drive after corresponding with retired U.S. Army Colonel David Gifford and discovering that the College had its own supply of used textbooks. An e-mail from Gifford explained the need for nursing schools in Iraq and the strict religious beliefs that hinder its progress. According to Gifford, there has been virtually no profession of nursing in Iraq as it is known in Western nations. "Most in-hospital patient care is the responsibility of family members," Gifford wrote. "Nevertheless, the Iraqi medical profession has recognized the immense value of establishing a nursing profession, and a very limited number of training programs exist. Others are desired, and military Nurse Corps officers are assisting in establishing training programs." Due to the significant response, Brown said the books will be shipped in stages, adding that donations are still being accepted to help cover the cost of shipping. Hagy added that the book drive's popularity has grown throughout the state as the students have challenged fellow student nurses from other Florida colleges to bring textbooks to their state convention in October. Approximately 50 students belong to the SJRCC Student Nurses Association. SJRCC's nursing program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. SJRCC is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree. For more information on SJRCC's registered nursing program or to donate nursing and health-related text books, contact the nursing department at (386) 312-4176. PHOTO CAPTION (bottom): SJRCC's Student Nurses Association president Eileen Brown, Jesse Moore and faculty advisor Kathy Hagy prepare textbooks to send to their U.S. military counterparts in Iraq who are seeking to establish a nursing school for Iraqi residents PHOTO CAPTION (top): SJRCC Student Nurses Association members Tom Wilson and Jesse Moore of St. Johns County assist SNA president Eileen Brown with unloading a large donation of textbooks. SJRCC's SNA is collecting and preparing nursing and health-related textbooks to send to Iraq, where U.S. military Nurse Corps officers hope to establish a nursing school for Iraqi residents. Return to SJRCC home page.