Nursing Students Help Monarch Butterflies Take Flight in Special Class Activity
A group of UA Little Rock nursing students helped release about 30 monarch butterflies during a surprise classroom activity designed to inspire and educate the future nurses.
DeeDee Moline, assistant professor of nursing at UA Little Rock, has been raising monarch butterflies at her home in Greenbrier. She brought the butterflies to her Nursing Fundamentals II class on July 31 as a way to connect with her students and share a deeper lesson about growth and transformation.
“Nursing school is hard,” Moline said. “I tell my students that, like these butterflies, they haven’t flown yet. They’re still in the chrysalis. But look how beautiful you will be when you emerge. When you become nurses, you’ll be carrying people’s hopes and prayers on your backs.”
Moline has been raising monarchs for the past four years after learning they were added to the endangered species list. She grows milkweed, the monarch caterpillars’ only food source, in her garden, and she participates in MonarchWatch.org to help track the butterflies’ migratory patterns.
“I introduced myself to students by telling them I keep bees and raise monarchs,” she said. “They got excited when I brought caterpillars to class one day. Several students have since asked if they had turned into butterflies yet. So, I decided to surprise them by bringing in fully formed butterflies for them to release.”
The moment left a strong impression on the students, many of whom saw it as a reflection of their own nursing journey.
“I enjoyed getting to participate in the release of the monarchs,” said Madison Henderson, a nursing student from Sherwood. “It makes me reflect on how we are as nursing students. One day, we will spread our wings and fly.”
Other students saw the event as a rare and meaningful opportunity.
“Butterflies are beautiful, but I never had the opportunity to hold one before,” Sofia Wilson shared. “It was a good experience to participate in, especially because they’re endangered, and maybe not many people will have this opportunity in the future.”
For some students, the experience was both exciting and slightly nerve-wracking.
“It was really neat to learn how Mrs. Moline raises them,” said Brynn Chandler. “It was so cool to be a part of letting them migrate. I’m glad I chose to do it, even though I’m a little afraid of having insects on me.”
LaQuilla Rooks, a first-year nursing student, said the moment was one she’ll remember.
“I loved the experience with the monarch butterflies,” she said. “Seeing them spread their wings and be free was a beautiful experience.”
Many nursing students participated in the release, with some holding butterflies and others observing and taking photos and videos. Moline hopes to continue the tradition and said two fellow faculty members have already taken monarch eggs home to try raising butterflies themselves so they can share the experience with their children.
“It’s all about the connection between nature, people, and nursing,” Moline said. “Helping something grow and nurturing it until it’s ready to fly; that’s what we do as nurses.”