Finding an outlet through crafts

Finding an outlet through crafts

Days in nursing school are often full of classes, clinicals and lab practicals, not to mention hours of studying. Thanks to the Cats Getting Crafty Club, students at the Linfield-Good Samaritan School of Nursing are also adding candle-making, painting and more.

“I feel like a lot of the time there is a need to step away from nursing, do something relaxing and  have fun talking with other people,” said fourth-semester student Alexa Torrabla, who runs the club. “It was a collaboration between doing self-care, and also something fun.”

The Cats Getting Crafty Club focuses on making fun and useful crafts.

“My goal for the craft club is always to do stuff you can use,” Alexa said. “I don't want to craft something I'm not going to use or have sitting around.”

Some of their most popular crafts include aromatherapy candles, bags and painting glass tumblers.

“Just relaxing and doing fun things”

Alexa has been a member of the club since her first semester on the Portland campus. It piqued her interest immediately.

“It was the only club on campus that had nothing to do with nursing,” Alexa said. “And that was the club's goal, to have a club that had nothing to do with nursing that was merely just relaxing and doing fun things with everybody else.”

The School of Nursing offers a variety of student-run clubs and organizations on the Portland campus. Several longstanding clubs have focused on the nursing profession or attending nursing school (such as the Critical Care Club or Rx: Pride). However, many of the more recently started ones allow students to engage with hobbies and have fun. This includes the Cooking Club, Athletic Club, Outdoor Club, Karaoke Club and the Cats Getting Crafty Club.

Stepping into club leadership

When last year’s club president was getting ready to graduate, she asked Alexa to step in and take her place, thinking she would be a great fit to lead the club.

“I find crafting a lot of fun, so I was very happy when I got to take it over.” she said.

In addition to being president of the Cats Getting Crafty Club, Alexa is also a peer mentor for new students on the Portland campus.

“I enjoy both roles, so they don’t feel like extra chores or jobs.” Alexa said.

Crafts as a form of self-care

Alexa uses crafts as an outlet when she needs a break from her studies. Being a part of the club, allows her to take care of herself among a group of 20 other club members.

For Alexa, a student organization like Cats Getting Crafty Club is important to have on the Portland campus because it isn’t just focused on nursing and health care. It allows busy students like her a way to decompress and have fun.

Recently, the Cats Getting Crafty Club collaborated with the Wellness Club to paint tote bags and canvases as a way to promote self-care.

The club currently has 20 members and is open to all students.

“A lot of students are very attracted to the club because it doesn’t require prior commitment,” Alexa said. “You can just hop in. You don't have to RSVP, you can just come by, do a craft, and stay for as long as you need.”