Nurses Show Graphic Images To Educate Students

As part of developing the state's new trauma system, nurses are going out into the community and talking about their jobs in the emergency room.

UAMS nurses in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) spoke to Bryant High School students Tuesday also in conjunction with National Teen Driver Safety Week.

UAMS nurse Celeste Bryson showed a picture of a patient who looked like a mannequin. The person's face was burned from a car accident and he needed skin grafts. The nurses showed pictures of real patients and car accidents so students can understand the staggering statistics.

"Sixteen-year-olds are three times more likely to die in car crashes than other drivers," says Bryson.

The nurses also talked about the dangers they've seen first hand of teenagers behind the wheel.

"I have seen people on the road with one hand on the wheel and the other hand reading their papers," says Laura Bailey, UAMS nurse.

"Seventy five percent of all teen deaths are from car accidents. That blew my mind," says Mike Webster, a ninth grader.

Webster says he has never seen a presentation about teen driving like this before.

"It was amazing and instilled fear and educated me a lot," says Webster.

Some of the pictures were so graphic, several students had to leave the room or close their eyes. The pictures drilled home the message that it could happen to anyone in the room.

"It makes me nauseas," says Elizabeth Stipe, a tenth grader about the pictures.

Stipe says she's guilty of not wearing a seatbelt.

"It rubs against my neck," says Stipe.

After seeing a commercial of someone not strapped down, she says she's changing her habits.

"All the stuff in the past, it makes me not want to do it anymore," says Stipe.

The presentation turned personal. The nurses say every time they handle a teen car accident, they think about their families.

"To think about not having him (son) in my life and just that thought drives me nuts," says David Wollard as he tears up.

The nurses are educating students about what teens can do to protect themselves, like limit distractions, avoid speeding, and always wear their seatbelt.

Their hope is the one-hour presentation could save lives.

According to Arkansas children's hospital, 71 teens died last year in car crashes. That is a teen death every five days.