Nursing students from Louisiana Tech took their skills to the community recently and helped out with two events in less than two weeks. First, the nursing students in Nursing 110 assisted Lowe’s and the Ruston Fire Department in helping families with safety and assisted the Red Cross with a health fair. Safety Saturday, a national event sponsored by Lowe’s, teaches children and families about fire preventive measures and other home dangers. Tech nursing students from the Nursing 110 class were able to assist. “We love it,” Shirley Payne, an associate professor of nursing, said. “The students love to participate in the community. They checked blood pressure, built model fire trucks with the children, monitored jumping booths, face painted and distributed brochures about safety in the home.” Ruston Fire Department Public Education Officer Eric Brazzel said having the Tech nursing students help out with events such as Safety Saturday benefited the nursing students and the fire department as well. “We have a good partnership with the Louisiana Tech nursing program,” Brazzel said. “The fire department has needs being met by them, and they have needs being met by us. We’re both learning from this partnership. It’s a good fit.” Also, students from the Nursing 212 class assisted at the Red Cross Health Fair, which was held at Trinity United Methodist Church.  Nursing students gave flu and pneumonia shots, drew blood and also took blood pressure. Beth Fife, an associate professor of nursing, said the entire Division of Nursing is committed to learning and serving. “Louisiana Tech University nursing students and faculty are dedicated to not only an academic education in nursing but also to serving the community and helping the Ruston area,” Fife said.