Spring 2004
Vol.2 | No. 1

Other Lives

By Ming Tai

Photography
by Mike Ciesielski

Other Lives
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Cynda Rushton,
DSNc, RN, FAAN,
Associate Professor

At last year’s School of Nursing faculty and staff retreat, Cynda Rushton sat among her colleagues with the usual preparations: handouts, notepad, and pen. She also brought with her a unique set of supplies: a ball of yarn and knitting needles.

Rushton knit throughout portions of the retreat. She often knits during conferences and meetings, obtaining permission ahead of time. She is quick to point out it doesn’t mean she is not paying attention. In fact, she says, knitting helps her to listen and to integrate information.

Rushton began knitting in first grade. By the third grade, she had completed a classic gray cardigan that her daughters still wear. She fell away from her hobby after college and didn’t take it up again until six years ago. She went to the yarn store, picked out a nice yarn, knitted an entire sweater, and then realized it was too small. Rushton chose to unravel the entire sweater and try again. “That was such a valuable lesson in life right there,” says Rushton. “Sometimes you need to learn to let go and start over.”

Rushton’s daughters, Hilary and Callie, ages 10 and 12, are also avid knitters. The three Rushtons, together with a friend, made 42 scarves last fall. They held a sale at their home in December and sold all of the scarves to neighbors and students from the girls’ school. Without taking a break, Rushton immediately started work on a sweater for herself.

Knitting has become a spiritual practice for Rushton, whose area of nursing expertise is palliative care. “Palliative care is all about connecting to the spirit,” she says. “I think [knitting] would be great for patients, their families, and their nurses and caregivers.”