City College nursing students vaccinating thousands against COVID-19
March 8, 2021 |
More than 30 San Diego City College nursing students are vaccinating thousands of local residents against the coronavirus in a collaborative effort with Family Health Centers of San Diego that is providing critical clinical hours needed before they can become registered nurses.
“The work our students are involved in is an example of the dedication everyone in the City College Nursing Program has in pushing forward during the pandemic,” said Matilda “Tillie” Chavez, City College’s Vice President of Instruction. “I couldn’t be more proud.”
The vaccination effort is not only aiding the fight against COVID-19, it also has opened up invaluable clinical hours that have been hard to come by since the pandemic began. Nursing students must secure more than 1,000 hours in a clinical setting before they can take their National Council Licensure Examination.
“This really solves a challenge for everyone involved,” said Dr. Erelyn Vinegas, the City College Nursing Program’s Department Chair, Assistant Nursing Director, and Clinical Coordinator. “Our students are receiving the clinical experience required by the Board of Registered Nursing while helping our community get vaccinated and turning the corner on this pandemic.”
Most City College students have been working at a Family Health Centers clinic on Gateway Center Drive in Southeastern San Diego. Larissa Johnson, vice president of the City College chapter of the California Nursing Students Association, has been working at a Family Health Centers of San Diego clinic in Mission Beach. “It’s been an amazing experience,” she said.
Vinegas said representatives from Family Health Centers of San Diego began discussing a collaboration with City College last fall as vaccinations were being tested and approved. “They have been able to accommodate students who otherwise would not have been able to get their clinical hours,” Vinegas said, adding that clinical hours also include administrative work, scheduling, and learning the protocols in operating a clinic.
Thirty-two City College nursing students began working at Family Health Centers in February and will complete their final 120 hours of clinical experience by spring break. They will be followed by 31 additional nursing students who will complete their final 120 hours of clinical experience from April through the end of May.
“It’s inspiring to be part of a historic vaccination effort,” said Emily Carpenter, president of the City College chapter of the California Nursing Students Association. “That first day when we were open and seeing hundreds of people lining up to get their shots, it was pretty emotional. We have a long way to go, but I feel honored to be here. It makes me love what I do.”
Dr. Dometrives “Dee” Armstrong, the Acting Associate Dean of Nursing held particular praise for nursing professors who helped make the clinical opportunities happen. “I have to give a shout out to our faculty,” Armstrong said. “They have done everything in their power to pull off a minor miracle in making sure this cohort could graduate on time.”