On March 14, Ozarka College hosted their annual student nursing conference in Melbourne, Arkansas. Approximately 110 students from Ozarka's Melbourne, Ash Flat, and Mountain View LPN and RN programs were in attendance.

Charity Schaufler, Baxter Health Stroke Coordinator and Tammy Hodge, Baxter Health Trauma Coordinator from were guest speakers. Schaufler and Hodge both spoke about the importance of the stroke program known as UAMS ArSAVES while students enjoyed walking through an oversized brain. The Stroke Program works with 62 partnering sites throughout Arkansas to provide 24/7 consult coverage and support for Arkansans experiencing strokes. In addition, Gerald Curtis was also a guest speaker. Curtis, a donation development liaison with AURORA, Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency, spoke of the importance of organ donation and tissue banks. Ozarka College Career Services also initiated a job fair in which 28 vendors participated.

"The success of the Spring Nursing conference was a testament to how hard working our faculty, staff, and students truly are, " said Jamie Yates, RN program director. "We are especially thankful for the support of our community employers and the ability to bring students together for a day of competition and camaraderie. "

Ozarka College LPN and RN students did team building exercises and competed in various nursing competitions that tested their skills acquired as a nursing student. The winner of the competitions are as follows:

Fundamentals LPN:

1.         Lisa Spray

Fundamentals RN:

1.         Jordan Simpson

Dosage Calculations LPN:

1.         Joseph Spray

Dosage Calculations RN:

1.         Joey Bell

For more information about the Ozarka College nursing program, please call 870.368.2300 or email:  admissions@ozarka.edu.