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Written by Dave Mabell
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Friday, October 30 2009, 10:17 PM |
For nursing students, it’s essential to learn about syringes and vaccinations. Before long, they could be asked to administer a needle or two.
But for University of Lethbridge students, this fall’s flu pandemic has changed all that. Scores of nursing students are on the front lines at southern Alberta’s flu clinics, putting their training to work.
“We’ve had over 100 students participating in the immunizations,” says Bernie Wojtowicz, a program co-ordinator with the Faculty of Health Sciences. “They’ve very much appreciated the opportunity to help out.”
Third- and fourth-year bachelor of nursing students have been working alongside experienced professionals at clinics in Lethbridge and surrounding communities, she says. Under the supervision of faculty members, they’re helping check patient information forms, asking about chronic illnesses, advising about possible side effects — and even holding squeamish youngsters while their arms are prepared for the injection.
Yes, Wojtowicz says, they’re also taking their turns administering the vaccines.
“It’s been a great experience for them.”
Inoculations, intravenous medications and other needle-related procedures are part of the third-year curriculum, Wojtowicz explains. But for most students, their hands-on experience may not extend much beyond mannequins programmed to protest if they “feel” much pain.
“This isn’t an ordinary part of their clinical experience,” she says.
Wojtowicz says a smaller group was invited to help at last fall’s mass immunization exercise. Nearly 7,000 men, women and children received seasonal flu vaccine during a one-day session — clinics were held in Taber, Lethbridge and Pincher Creek — which became something of a test run for this year’s H1N1 clinics.
Clearly, local health officials appreciated their involvement.
“They remembered the help they received,” and invited further participation.
Recognizing this year’s bigger challenge, Wojtowicz says the health sciences faculty recruited a greater number of volunteers. Then professors invited last year’s 12 clinical volunteers to help train the new group.
“That gave them an opportunity to conduct educational sessions,” in addition to the patient information briefings offered at clinic sites every day.
“It’s been a really great experience, for that group in particular.”
Quite apart from needle skills, U of L students are also learning how to work with crowds and to handle difficult situations.
“These mass clinics are wonderful for getting the largest number of immunizations supplied,” Wojtowicz says. “But there are bound to be some challenges.”
On a smaller scale, she says it’s possible health sciences students might play a role if flu clinics are opened on the college or university campuses. But they have other clinical skills to master as well.
“All these students have very much enjoyed this experience,” says Wojtowicz. “They’ve been learning a lot.”
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