It’s that time of the year: Have you had your flu shot?
Mennonite College of Nursing’s Simulation Lab recently was turned into a flu clinic for nursing students to give and receive their flu shots.
“Since all of our students are required to have the flu shot, we were approached by Bobbie Stevens, nursing supervisor of Student Health Services, about collaborating with their office to set up a clinic at the lab,” said Mary Cranston, America’s Promise School Project clinical course leader. “By having this clinic for our students, we are freeing up other students, faculty and staff to get their flu shot at the Student Health office.”
The flu clinic was held September 22–24, and a total of 173 vaccines were given. There are 12 clinical groups for America’s Promise, and they completed mandatory privacy and safety training in accordance with ISU Student Health Services standards. Throughout the night, America’s Promise nursing students rotated through various stations. Nursing student participants who were getting their shots were greeted in the front and given paperwork to fill out, and then they were directed to stations where students administered the shots, supervised by America’s Promise clinical faculty. After they had their shot, they were directed to the checkout station, where staff from Student Health Services completed their visit.
“We couldn’t have done this without the support of Student Health Services,” said Cranston. “For many of our students, this was the first time they administered a shot, and it was a great experience for them. Even greater is having a chance to participate in a mass immunization event furthers their understanding of the value of collaboration and teamwork. We are grateful to Student Health Services, Emily Derege, Bobbie Stevens, Becky Ludolph and Laura Knoblauch for this opportunity.”
MCN currently has 625 students enrolled in the undergraduate program, which includes the traditional B.S.N., online RN-B.S.N. and Accelerated B.S.N.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu season can begin as early as October and last as late as May. Learn more about the flu vaccine.
Visit the MCN Flickr page to view more photos of the flu clinic.
