This fall, students from North Central Missouri College’s Student Practical Nursing (SPN) Foundation course partnered with Wright Memorial Hospital’s Oncology Nurse Navigator team. Their mission was to collect and donate comfort care items for local oncology patients undergoing treatment.
As part of a semester-long service project, nursing students took initiative to restock and expand the hospital’s care bags. These bags, distributed to new cancer patients, include vital Saint Luke’s resources and now, thanks to the students’ efforts, an array of thoughtful comfort items.
Collected donations included travel-size unscented lotions, warm socks, stocking hats, puzzle books, pens, notepads, lip balm, hand sanitizers, and protein drinks. Contributions poured in through classroom drives, community support, and collection boxes placed in the Allied Health and Nursing departments.
“This project allowed our nursing students to extend compassion beyond the classroom and clinical setting,” said Shanna Nichols, Nursing Faculty at NCMC. “Providing comfort care items to oncology patients reminds students that nursing is not only about clinical skill—it’s about empathy, community connection, and supporting the whole person. We’re proud to give back locally and to collaborate with Wright Memorial Hospital on such a meaningful initiative.”
Student Griffin Smith reflected on the experience: “Being part of the SPN service project reminded me how small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Gathering goods for Wright Memorial Hospital allowed us to support cancer patients and spread hope during their hardest battle.”
Donations were delivered to Becca Evans and Amanda Anderson at the Wright Memorial Hospital Foundation, who will ensure the items reach patients directly. Looking ahead, the NCMC Nursing Department plans to make this a recurring project each semester and hopes to involve other departments and local organizations in future efforts.
For more information about the NCMC Nursing Program or to learn how to support future service projects, please contact the Allied Health and Nursing Department at North Central Missouri College by visiting www.ncmissouri.edu/ or (660) 359-3948.
Photo: NCMC Students with Wright Memorial Staff. NCMC Students (first two L to R) Griffin Smith, Ava Denis and (very end) Megan Baker