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- From left to right: Sue Wilton, Joe Scott, Taylor Withrow, Liz Ritchie and Tara Reid. Preetam Shokar | Washtenaw Voice
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- Cheri Wollack, Leah Nitchie and Hope Copley discuss wellness and sleep. Preetam Shokar | Washtenaw Voice
By Preetam Shokar
Editor
Nursing 108, a first semester nursing class, is promoting health topics in the community. Students were divided into groups and each had a health topic to focus on. This particular group of students was one of the first to present. Their focus was on sleep, and how it affects overall health.
40 million people, or about 30 percent of the population in the United States struggle with sleeping disorders.
“Not getting enough sleep can result in weight gain, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and other health conditions,” said Cheri Wollack, a nursing 108 student.
“Lots of people are walking around with sleep disorders that they are not aware of, such as sleep apnea and narcolepsy.” said Wollack.
Those who struggle with sleep or some type of sleeping disorder should seek out a health professional since there are many risk factors that are involved.
“Sleep is essential for health and cognitive function, and [people] should try alternatives for getting sleep.” said Wollack, when asked about the pathophysiology of sleep.
Leah Nitchie, another student in nursing 108, advised on enhancing sleep.
“Foods that can enhance sleep are complex carbs, whole grains such as whole-wheat bread, oatmeal and popcorn. Healthy heart fats like avocados, a variety of nuts like walnuts and almonds, fresh berries, bananas, non-caffeinated beverages, and warm milk before bed.”
The nursing 108 class is focused on promoting health and wellness throughout all of Washtenaw Community College.
“The gist of this project in our nursing 108 class is that we were divided into groups, and each group must come up with a topic to present to WCC students. Other groups decided to tackle diabetes, or controlling blood pressure,” said Hope Copley, a nursing student in the group.
“[The] project was designed to get students focused on promoting health, having healthy habits like eating well, and taking care of your body to help others at Washtenaw. We used this project in conjunction with things we are learning in the classroom and in clinical to bring health promotion to students here at WCC,” Copley said.
The nursing program at WCC is offered as a 3+1 program designed to give students flexibility to transfer to Eastern Michigan University, Davenport University or the University of Michigan-Flint to pursue a bachelor’s degree after receiving an associate’s degree from WCC. For more information about the program, contact the director of nursing, Joanne Yastik, at jyastik@wccnet.edu.
