USF College of Nursing hosts afternoon “tea and refreshment” party for faculty and staff

When you think about a College that is innovative, unique, and out-of-the-box…No doubt University of South Florida College of Nursing is the first that comes to mind.

The recent “Tea and Refreshment” afternoon party held on July 12, 2013 in the USF College of Nursing Faculty and Staff Lounge was the perfect testament. Connie Visovsky, PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, associate professor and associate dean, Student Affairs & Community Engagement at the College, hosted the afternoon festivities.

The event is part of the College’s new initiative “Best Way to Spend $100,” created by Dianne Morrison-Beedy, PhD, RN, WHNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, FAAN, senior associate vice president of USF Health and dean of the College of Nursing, to show why USF College of Nursing is a “great place to work.” This initiative allows faculty and staff to submit their “best way to spend $100” party ideas every month to help improve the culture, the spirit, and the general well-being of our college . The winner of the challenge receives the $100, donated by a generous USF College of Nursing donor, and hosts the party of their choice. The first winner was Dr. Visovsky.

“It can be something small, funny, exciting, simple… anything that helps us to say that our USF College of Nursing is a great place to work,” Dr. Morrison-Beedy said. “Every month will be different, it may be a surprise to someone or it may be a planned event.”

“I believe that by creating initiatives such as the “Best Way to Spend $100” addresses the working environment and culture of the organization that values employees and brings them together for camaraderie as well as the more serious work of the college,” Dr. Visovsky said.

Dr. Visovsky, who is a tea enthusiast, thought having a tea party for the faculty and staff where they would enjoy each other’s company while tasting different teas and sweets would be so fun and appropriate. She brought five different kinds of teas and many sweets and snacks that went perfectly together.

“I brewed three different types of tea: a traditional black tea from India (Assam), a green tea that opens up into a flower blossom when hot water is poured onto it (Seven Sons Congratulating), and a caffeine free herbal tea  (African Autumn),” Dr. Visovsky said. “For snacks, I chose a variety of sweets including brownies for the chocolate lovers, Kolaches (small cookies with apricot or raspberry jam), strawberry tarts and mini sandwiches of cucumber and lobster.”

The elegant, yet relaxing “tea and refreshment” event was so deserving and appropriate for a team who works so hard to make the College  a “great place to work.”