Graduating senior's parting shot: A gift to the School of Nursing

Graduating senior's parting shot: A gift to the School of Nursing

Most students breathe a sigh of relief when that last tuition bill is paid, but Olivia Weeks turned the tables on Fairfield University, where she just graduated Sunday from the School of Nursing, by presenting the school with a check that will pay for new technology in the School of Nursing lab. Thanks to her generosity, future students will have the benefit of hands-on practice on "SimMan," a human patient simulator by Laerdal Medical.

While a student at Fairfield, Olivia worked as a lab assistant to Diana Mager, C.R.N., M.S.N., and director of the Learning Resource Center where students get lab experience before heading off to clinical assignments. Olivia had heard about new technology that made it possible to have hands-on practice on a computer-activated, life-like patient, complete with a heartbeat, pulse and chest movements. SimMan can even moan in pain, make vomiting noises and receive injections.

Olivia said she felt the introduction of SimMan could be a key component in the training of future nurses. Her concern for future students is not surprising to Diana Mager, who says the Southport resident and mother of four was always looking out for the other students. "She was very much a motivator and substitute mother. She is very caring and looks after everyone."

Olivia has worked with the Westport EMS for nine years and said the experience sparked her interest in the medical field. While she liked helping people through EMS, she described the work as "Fifteen minutes of intense bonding. It was frustrating for me."

Olivia did most of her clinical work in pediatrics at Yale-New Haven Hospital and thinks she would like to go in that direction after taking the summer off. She said she is looking forward to helping people and having a more complete experience of giving care than the emergency work afforded her.

Posted On: 05-25-2005 10:05 AM

Volume: 37 Number: 276