"The best way to describe my involvement with Special Olympics is a 'once in a lifetime experience.' I cannot explain how excited I was to be able to coordinate the Fall Festival with the student committee for 1,000 athletes. To see the joy and thrill the athletes received from this weekend is simply priceless. This event could not be held anywhere else more appropriate than Villanova's very own campus, which is based upon giving to others."

Colleen Gruffi, BSN, RN
BSN '05
New City, NY

To be a nursing student here is to be both a Villanova student and a student of the world...

Throughout their entire academic experience, College of Nursing students give to and learn from their surrounding community. They are involved in such service activities as the Special Olympics, Villanova Emergency Medical Services, Red Cross Blood Drive and local soup kitchens. In junior and senior years, students are engaged in a variety of community projects including flu shot administration, Habitat for Humanity, Ronald McDonald House, peer-to-peer health counseling at the University Health Center, spring break mission trips to underserved areas and Healthy Cities Project in Philadelphia. Graduate students also get involved in community service through special projects such as the nurse anesthesia student "Adopt a Friend" campaign.

Members of the Villanova Chapter of the Student Nurses' Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP) volunteer to help the Hosts for Hospitals charity at their gala fund raising dinner and silent auction. This charity provides free lodging for families of adult patients from outside the Philadelphia area. Through SNAP's Breakthrough to Nursing Project, members mentor a local Girl Scout Troop earning nursing patches.

Students have opportunities to develop their advocacy and political skills through active participation in professional nursing organizations. In addition to actively supporting student participation in The National Student Nurses' Association (NSNA) and SNAP, Villanova University regularly has College of Nursing students in national and state leadership positions. Villanova Nurses are among the presidents of the National Student Nurses Association, and presidents, vice presidents and board members of SNAP. Both undergraduate and graduate students participate in Lobby Day at the Pennsylvania state capitol and take an active role in the governance structure of the University.

The Undergraduate Nursing Senate (UNS) sponsors projects such as Red Cross Blood Drives, Career Day and fundraisers for special charities.

Several faculty members and alumni also include students in their professional, community and volunteer activities.  Some of these activities include parish nursing, volunteer projects for American Cancer Society and American Heart Association, Eastern Nursing Research Society and Operation Smile.

"Throughout my nursing education at Villanova University I have had many opportunities to engage in service activities that encourage and challenge the true meaning of compassion and community service, both of which are essential in nursing care. I have been able to volunteer at homeless shelters for women, tutor inner city children, work with the beautiful people of Oaxca, Mexico and attend HEC (Handicap Encounters with Christ) retreats three times a year. Nursing is a practice synonymous with compassion; as nurses we may provide the only unconditional love that a person encounters."

Kim DiLullo, BSN, RN
BSN '03
Havertown, PA

Faculty also mentor students in professional organizations such as Sigma Theta Tau International. In addition, students accompany faculty to national and international conventions to investigate and discuss current nursing and health care issues. To help broaden students' perspective of nursing issues, the College of Nursing routinely funds a student to accompany faculty to the International Council of Nursing meeting.

Students' commitment to community service continues beyond graduation. Each graduating class has alumni who spend their first year after graduation providing nursing services in underserved and marginalized communities. Other alumni serve as founders, directors and practitioners of health clinics for those same populations.