In this Issue:

How can I share Jesus with my professors?

By Renee Lick, NCF Director of Student Ministries

Do you ever wonder how can you sow seeds for the gospel in the classroom, or share Jesus with your professors?

Christian professor Heather Holleman, PhD, challenges students to be "fully engaged" in the classroom. Professor Holleman states, "Fully engaged students showcase character, build class community, and foster genuine academic conversation. When a Christian student models these three things, that person sows seeds for the gospel and opens the door for spiritual truth. I see it every semester." She teaches advanced writing at Penn State.

Read her article, Christians in the Classroom, and be encouraged that you can be an amazing witness for Christ simply by being actively involved in your classes.

NCF Students Create Campus Buzz

Check out how these creative NCF students invite others to their group at St. John's College of Nursing & Health Sciences at Southwest Baptist University (MO). Prepare to laugh.

Finish strong in Spring . . .
. . . for a strong start in Fall

Student leaders, core group members and faculty advisors: Plan now for your first fall meeting.

What is your vision for the group next year? How can you reach out to new students during their orientation time? When will you get together to plan for the coming year?

Planning an overview now for the next school year can give direction and structure to your group – and take off some of the stress. What speakers do you want to invite to your group? Is there a particular Bible study guide you want to use? Thinking through these things now can get your group off to a strong start in the fall.

Honoring Seniors

We are often asked for ideas to honor graduating students. Here are a few:

• One group printed the Nurses Oath on cardstock with their school colors. They had all the students in the NCF group and the faculty advisor sign their names in the margins and presented it as a goodbye gift.
• Pray a "Prayer of Blessing" over the graduating seniors. Thank God for his provision for them while in school and pray for God to use their hands as they care for the hurting. "Commission" them as nurses who are sent out to be excellent nurses and witnesses for Christ.  You may want to ask them to hold up their hands while you pray so it is a "blessing of the hands" as they prepare for service to God and to their patients.
• The Nurses Bible is a practical gift that can be used for a lifetime.
• Books, Bible study guides, NCF post-it notes, pens or shirts are a few of the things that can be found at the NCF online store.

Coming soon...the NCF Annual Survey of groups

Please complete our annual online questionnaire that will be coming to you later this month. It helps us know more about our NCF groups and how we can plan resources to meet your needs. 

In addition to learning more about your group, we ask who the graduating seniors are, because . . .

. . . We have a special offer for new grads:

• a free issue of the Journal of Christian Nursing.
• a free Flux booklet of articles and stories for those transitioning from school to the work world.
• NCF membership offered at the reduced student rate for your first year out of school.

Please ask permission of your graduating seniors to share their names and email addresses with us. You can list them on the survey or email them directly to me. We will then send an email offering these special gifts to them as new graduates. Or share this http://www.ncf-jcn.org/area/gs2011reqform.php and let them sign up today.

We can also help new grads get plugged in with nurse groups in their area and let them know what resources are available to them as nurses.

NCF Represented at NSNA Convention

Attending the NSNA Convention? Check out the Lippincott exhibit and meet Kathy Schoonover-Shoffner, the editor of the Journal of Christian Nursing (JCN). She will be handing out free copies of JCN and will have information on becoming an NCF member with discounted rates for students.

Connecting & Networking

NCF has many resources for the nursing students in your group and for your mission on campus. Check these out:

Join our NCF community on Facebook!

Follow our NCF blog for nursing students.

Have ideas for Campus Vitals? Please send them to Bonnie. Thanks!

Campus Vitals has been compiled by
Bonnie Hann, RN, BSN, BS-Missionary Nursing
NCF Campus Liaison
Email Bonnie