By SHANNON NESSERALLA, Senior Reporter
Carter Hall is not usually filled with noises from children that can be heard all throughout the building.
But at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 19, laughter echoed through the halls as Northwestern nursing students performed vital checks on local children who volunteered to be mock pediatric patients.
The examinations took place in the nursing skills lab on the second floor.
Junior nursing students had the chance to look at and assess one of 10 pediatric patients, who were assigned to them before the clinic began.
For some patients, it was their first time participating. Others have been coming for years.
Parker Grimsley, a 5th grader at Lincoln Elementary, has been assessed by the nursing students for five years.
“It is always very fun and informative,” Grimsley said. “I really like coming here and being a part of the clinic.”
Nursing students administered several exams to their patients.
Nursing students:
— Had patients follow a light with their eyes to make sure their eyes are working correctly.
— Checked patients’ blood pressure.
— Stood behind their patients and whispered words into their ears to check their hearing.
— Asked patients to jump on one leg so their balance could be assessed.
— Checked patients’ height and weight.
Junior nursing student Ally Riley said the program’s pediatric clinicals are starting soon.
In the coming months, junior nursing students will spend a weekend working in pediatric clinics in Oklahoma City.
The clinicals will take place over four weekends, and each student must work during two of the weekends.
Riley said the clinic exercise in Carter Hall was helpful.
“It was good being able to see real-life patients before we go and start our clinical at OU Medical Center in OKC,” Riley said.
Addyson Gordon, a 5th grader at Lincoln Elementary, attended the clinic for the first time with a couple of her friends.
“I was excited,” Gordon said. “It was fun to know that I’m healthy.”
