November 12, 2009
Belmont’s School of Nursing Hosts 83-Year-Old First-Time Student for ‘Second Wind Dream’
Belmont University’s School of Nursing made the dreams of an 83-year-old woman come true. Ruth Ramsey, a resident at Morningside of Belmont Assisted Living, always dreamed of attending nursing school, but her parents refused to let her go once the U.S. became involved in World War II. More than 50 years later, Ruth joined Belmont nursing students in an “Introduction to Nursing” lab and participated in their practice procedures for the day taught by Dr. Lynne Shores and Martha Ezell.
This opportunity was made possible to Ramsey through Second Wind Dreams, a national non-profit organization that focuses on senior citizens in assisted living or nursing homes and helps them achieve what they never had the opportunity to do in their lives. Ramsey, who spent her career as a school teacher, often talked with Morningside Program Services Director Jana Pistole about how her lifelong desire to become a nurse never diminished.
“When Morningside connected with Second Wind, I immediately thought of Mrs. Ruth’s unfulfilled dream of becoming a nurse,” said Pistole.
Morningside staff surprised Ramsey with the news that she would be attending nursing class just minutes before her departure for Belmont. Belmont provided Ramsey with a lab coat monogrammed with her name, white surgical scrubs and an official badge to wear for her “nurse for a day” experience. The labs were set up much like a hospital room, and she and the other students were taught how to dress wounds through glue, steri strips, sutures and staples. She was able to practice the techniques she learned in class on mannequins in the lab.
“Ruth smiled the whole way through her class,” said Pistole. “She will tell the story [of coming to class at Belmont] over and over.”
- For more stories from the College of Health Sciences & Nursing Archive, click here.
- Office University Marketing and Communications
Greg Pillon: 615.460.6645
Belmont University
1900 Belmont Boulevard
Nashville, Tennessee 37212
615.460.6000
About Belmont University
Named one of the top two “Schools to Watch” in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Belmont University is a fast-growing community of more than 5,400 students who come from every state and 25 countries. Committed to being a leader among teaching universities, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. The university’s purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world’s needs. With more than 75 areas of study, 20 master’s programs and three doctoral degrees, there is no limit to the ways Belmont University can expand an individual's horizon. For more information, visit www.belmont.edu.
For more information visit www.belmont.edu
