Dr. Barbara Lancaster, left, an associate professor of nursing, is the guest on the Feb. 8 “MTSU On the Record” radio program on WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 and www.wmot.org. Lancaster teaches a Community Public Health Nursing course in which she solicits volunteers to work for one day at the Nashville Rescue Mission, as shown in the photo above. (MTSU photo of Lancaster; submitted photo of nursing students)

The spirit of volunteerism demonstrated by the MTSU School of Nursing was the topic of discussion on a recent “MTSU On the Record” radio program.

Host Gina Logue’s interview with Dr. Barbara Lancaster, an associate professor of nursing, first aired Feb. 8 on WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 and www.wmot.org.

You can listen to their conversation via the SoundCloud link above.

Dr. Barbara Lancaster

Lancaster teaches a Community Public Health Nursing course in which she solicits volunteers to work for one day at the Nashville Rescue Mission.

This semester, nine students prepared and served food at the mission on Feb. 12, followed by six students’ volunteer efforts on Feb. 26, seven students on Feb. 27 and seven students on April 9.

The students begin their day with a tour of the shelter and a lecture on its purpose. After that, they work in the kitchen to prepare the food to serve to the men, women and children who use the mission’s resources.

In the process, Lancaster said, her students learn that nursing involves much more than scientific techniques and procedures.

“One of the common denominators, as we look over the many years of trying to define a professional, is altruism,” Lancaster said.

“This is a hallmark of a professional: to serve.”

Lancaster has taught the course since 2018. All students also must write papers reflecting on their volunteer experience. 

To hear previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, visit the searchable “Audio Clips” archives at www.mtsunews.com.

For more information about the radio program, contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.