Free flu shots administered by TCU nursing students

Fort Worth, TX

10/27/2009

By: Jannika Rask, TCU Office of Communications

TCU demonstrated its commitment to service Friday, October 23, when the University Recreation Center hosted an influenza fair offering TCU students, faculty and staff free flu shots given by senior nursing students.

The service-learning project was beneficial as most universities hire out nurses or other medical providers instead of giving nursing students the opportunity for hands-on, real-world experience. Nursing students were chosen at random for different assignments and split into two groups.

“The first group set up and designed the immunization program, while the second group staffed the influenza fair, acquired thermometers, made training posters and distributed disposable thermometers and ‘how to’ care kits to RA’s on campus,” said Sharon Canclini, clinical instructor in the Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences.

Canclini headed the project and offered guidance to the nursing students who were involved. The clinic ran smoothly through efficient planning and organization. The clinic was self-sufficient, utilizing nursing students as floaters to help replenish table supplies to each booth.

“A shipment of 1,200 flu vaccines came in and 500 vaccines were given within the first three hours of the clinic,” said Canclini.

“We set up a practice run a few weeks ago and modified all the things that were not working properly,” said Canclini.

By employing the “no glove procedure” authorized by the Centers for Disease Control, wait time was less than five minutes.

Nursing students were fully trained in giving injections. They practiced in the lab and gave each other their first injections, although they were not required to.

The Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences and nursing students in the TCU clinical course titled Public Health Nursing were among those involved in the clinic. The college also partnered with TCU’s Health Center, University Recreation Center and the Risk Management team.

 

Read more from a TCU Daily Skiff story.