Posted on Jul 20, 2012

USF Nursing Students Create “Baby Books” to Donate to New Mothers

USF Nursing Students Create “Baby Books” to Donate to New Mothers

Undergraduate Nursing students from the University of South Florida College of Nursing got a little creative in their Nursing of Children and Adolescents class in Spring 2012. The students created 15 Baby Books as part of their class project, and then donated them to new mothers after their deliveries at several hospitals in the Tampa Bay area.

Undergraduate Nursing students from the University of South Florida College of Nursing got a little creative in their Nursing of Children and Adolescents class in Spring 2012. The 2nd degree students created 15 Baby Books as part of their class project, and then donated them to new mothers after their deliveries at several hospitals in the Tampa Bay area.
USF Nursing students, Kristen Watts, Andrea Elibero, Kaitlin White, Brittany Lowder, Bonnie Fehr (back row, L to R), Shayla Crenshaw, and Carissa Woodside (bottom row, L to R)  showing off the Baby Books they created during the Nursing of Children and Adolescents class.

The course’s professor, Susan E. Kennel PhD, PNP, FAANP, Assistant Professor and Concentration Director for  Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) at the USF College of Nursing, said almost all the books have been handed out to new mothers at various institutions.

“We gave the Baby Books to new mothers who had just had babies at the institutions that precept our students,” Dr. Kennel said. “This was a great opportunity for them to make a difference, and provide less fortunate mothers and their families with information that will assist them as they care for their young children. It was a great way of ‘giving back’.”

 The course’s professor, Susan E. Kennel PhD, PNP, FAANP, Assistant Professor and Concentration Director for Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) at the USF College of Nursing, said almost all the books have been handed out to new mothers at various institutions.       “I feel this is a very useful project,” Dr. Kennel said. “The baby books help refresh the students’ knowledge about normal growth and development in children and the necessary anticipatory guidance that parent's need.”
 

The Baby Books’ purpose is to prepare new mothers for what to expect during the first five years of their child’s life including growth and development, immunizations as well as doctor’s visits and safety issues by age. The project also helped students to expand their knowledge of pediatric growth and development.

“I feel this is a very useful project,” Dr. Kennel said. “The baby books help refresh the students’ knowledge about normal growth and development in children and the necessary anticipatory guidance that parent’s need.”

The Baby Books’ purpose is to prepare new mothers for what to expect during the first five years of their child’s life including growth and development, immunizations as well as doctor’s visits and safety issues by age. The project also helped students to expand their knowledge of pediatric growth and development.
USF Nursing students (L to R) Kristy Lindsay, Natalie Barley, Courtney Perez, and Ping Tsui holding the Baby Book they created.

Dr. Kennel said she will assign this project every spring and fall semesters. Next semester, the number of students will increase, and the Baby Books will also double, she said.

“Next semester, we will have approximately 30 Baby Books to distribute,” Dr. Kennel said. “Students love the project, and I’ll continue to assign it year-round. The students feel like they are learning as well as providing a public service for those less fortunate.”