Student Nurses' Prayer Shawl Ministry: Making a Difference One Stitch at a Time

Stags Stitch, a student-led club at Fairfield University, began as a space for students to connect through needlecrafts. Guided by nursing student majors, the club expanded its mission by launching a comfort shawl program with an unexpectedly profound impact. Beyond creating crafts for people in need, the initiative fostered well-being, social connection, and a sense of purpose among participants. The meditative nature of crocheting/knitting provided relief from academic stress while reinforcing the Jesuit value of cura personalis-care for the whole person. Looking ahead, integrating this initiative into the nursing curriculum could further strengthen its role in holistic, compassionate care.