Nursing students host immunization day

Fort Worth, TX

11/9/2009

By: Annie Hawes, TCU senior II nursing student

While most college students are busy enjoying a fall season of football and fun, nursing students are busy handling a fall season of flu vaccines. The pandemic H1N1 influenza hit the nation with vengeance, and TCU was no exception.

As TCU Health Center visits increased, faculty in the TCU nursing program realized that their students could do something about fighting off the flu. Sharon Canclini, a community/public health nursing practicum faculty member, signed her students up to take on the challenge of immunizing TCU students, faculty, and staff against the seasonal influenza. Her motto is, “Give a group of nursing students an issue, and they can fix it”.

With that attitude, the Senior II Community/Public Health nursing students were responsible for developing a pilot program to immunize and educate the TCU community. Colleges throughout Texas were scrambling to create programs in anticipation for the H1N1 vaccine. The pilot program was developed with seasonal influenza vaccinations, and with the intent of developing a guide for other colleges to use for when the H1N1 vaccine becomes available.

In preparation, students researched clinical guidelines from various resources regarding mass immunizations. They also worked in conjunction with TCU resources such as the Recreation Center, Health Center and Risk Management to obtain funds, supplies, advertisement support and a location. After weeks of preparation in creating a plan, communicating and brainstorming with community members, and gathering supplies, the immunization clinic was set.

The students created a well-organized and efficient program held in the TCU Recreation Center. The flu vaccines were offered at no cost to TCU faculty, students and staff, so a large turn out was expected. As participants arrived throughout the day on October 23, they filled out their paperwork and were given complementary hand sanitizer. They then entered the room where music played in the background and eager nursing students waited at their stations for the next participant. As the anxious participant approached the station, the nursing student reassured them that they had plenty of practice. Before they knew it, the injection was given and participants were asked to complete and exit survey.

Two immunization days resulted in almost 2500 injections given by nursing students. This impact resulted in many participants surprised to see that students were administering their injections, but walked away from the clinic with little pain and a newfound confidence in the future nurses. Overall the students appreciated the opportunity to participate in all facets of community health nursing process from the assessment to the impact.