LBCC Nurses Spice Up The Classroom

Nursing Students and members of group one proudly stand in front of their fan favorite stuffed peppers during the first year students cooking competition.

 The LBCC nursing program is one of the toughest programs on campus. The two-year program admits 48 students out of over 400 applicants each year. Those interested in applying to the program must take required bacc core classes and maintain a high GPA if they hope to be considered.

“In Oregon, 30,650 registered nurses work in this large occupation. Starting annual salaries average $48,876. Top wages average about $68,796. Nationally, the median wage is $63,750. Employment is expected to increase much faster than average through 2018,” according to the LBCC website.

First-year student's competed in a “Diabetic Diet” cooking competition. on Tuesday, Jan. 27, in the Fireside Room of the Calapooia building.

Students used an array of skills they learned in back core classes to fulfill the task including math, nutrition, and cell-biology. After careful budgeting groups used different sources to come up with their recipes, turning to Google, diabetic cooking magazines, and even some prior favorite recipes.

“Coordinating everyone was the hardest part,” said Andrew McClain, first year student and group three member.

The purpose of the competition was to create a dinner for a family of eight. Three members of the family have diabetes mellitus: a toddler, his mother and the grandfather. Students had to consider each of their needs and factor in that the family is supporting their food needs with food stamps.

Teams of six could used "whole foods" and were judged on: budgeting, color, texture, taste, aroma, and presentation. The teams, comprised of clinical groups were required to provide nutritional information on the meal, and additional recipes for the family, along with the meal. Groups had to determine the family of eight’s food budget for the entire month based on food stamps, and this was supposed to be a big meal for one day.

The contest was judged by three second-year student's, a secretary from the nursing department, and LBCC nursing graduate Amy Bailey who served as an honorary judge. Bailey, the mother of a child with Type 1 Diabetes, spoke to the groups before the contest got underway, speaking about the challenges her sons disease presents.

While the judges deliberated the results, LBCC Chef John Jarschke took center stage and prepared what he would of entered in the contest, a vegan meal consisting of brown rice and bean paste pancakes served with mole and fresh salsa.

“The more color you have the more nutrition you have,” said Jarschke.

                             

Chef John Jarschke prepares a vegan version of what he would of entered in the contest for the nursing students.

After careful consideration, the judges emerged with the results naming group three the winner. The group won with their crock-pot chicken tacos served with salad. The meal cost a total of $18.52 at $2.32 per person. The tacos not only took first place but were a fan favorite at the event. Other notable recipes included stuffed peppers, white bean chicken chili, and sweet potato spinach and quinoa casserole.

Sherrilyn Sytsma, part of the nursing faculty, was on hand for the competition and helped organize the event.

“It makes the students put the pedal to the metal,” said Sytsma. “Since nurses are teachers they need to be able to teach their patients.”
                       

Olivia Poorman, and Andrew McClain show off their groups winning crock-pot chicken tacos.

At a Glance:

Who: LBCC Nursing Students

What: “Diabetic Diet” cooking competition.

Where: The Fireside Room

When: Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015.