Nursing students take care
L-R: Students Rachel Christianson, Stephanie Quinlan, Michelle Krbavak (nursing instructor and immunization coordinator) and Rebecca Long. / Photo: Ken Bendiktsen
A group of third-year and fourth-year nursing students at the University of Calgary are part of a widespread campaign to help their peers understand the H1N1 influenza pandemic and to take protective measures in their clinical courses.
“Nursing students face a particular risk when it comes to any outbreak because clinical courses are a large part of their education,” says Michelle Krbavac, the faculty’s immunization coordinator and the instructor overseeing the work of this Community Action Team. “Students are out there in the acute care settings where exposure is increased and they need to know how to first protect themselves while ensuring the safety of the patient.”
The team has completed a seasonal influenza vaccination clinic, class presentations, student awareness building and communications with their community liaisons. “There are a lot of myths out there, even among my classmates, about transmission and symptoms,” says team member Rachel Christianson. “Our group feels fortunate to be able to participate in such a ‘frontline’ way; we really feel we will be making a difference by disseminating the true facts about H1N1.”
Krbavac says the team is also helping with the organization of fit-testing of the N95 respirator masks which protect health-care workers from inhaling the H1N1 virus through air droplets. “All health-care workers are in the process of being N95 fit-tested and now our students will be too.”
Dianne Tapp, dean of the faculty, says measures are in place to maximize the safety of all nursing students through an agreement with Alberta Health Services regarding the roles of students during the pandemic.
“Our goals are to protect our students and faculty while they participate in clinical work and learn during this extraordinary public health crisis, and to sustain our ability to offer clinical courses.” she says. “Our learners are provided the same protection as other health-care workers, but they must avail themselves of the opportunities to be immunized, among other measures. The peer leadership demonstrated by this Community Action Team will be invaluable in helping to accomplish this.”
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November 12, 2009