BSN Students Assist with COVID-19 Vaccines

Sonoma Valley Hospital administration enlisted a nursing cohort from Gurnick Academy’s Concord, Calif., campus to assist with a drive-thru COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Saturday and Sunday, February 6–7, at the Sonoma Valley High School campus. The by-appointment clinic collaborated with the Hospital and Sonoma Valley Health Partners with Gurnick Nursing students. The Bachelor of Science (BSN) program students and several instructors assisted with 2,322 first-dose injections of *Pfizer-BioNTech inoculations for Sonoma County’s most vulnerable residents.

The nursing students helped with registration, medication preparation, administration, health assessment, and second-dose scheduling, making possible phases 1(a) and 1(b) implementation. The team distributed vaccines to all tiers of Sonoma County healthcare workers and the county’s elderly individuals aged 75 or more, both days from 8:00 AM–3:00 PM. Most recently, the Federal Drug Administration approved the vaccine’s emergency release to help slow the spread of the virus.

“Students felt honored and fulfilled responding to the critical need for assistance in administering the COVID-19 vaccines during this time of the pandemic,” said Shelvia Salvano, BSN assistant program director and simulation manager. “As our licensed nurses worked tirelessly in healthcare settings, sent a call to the community in many counties, and the students answered,” said Salvano. “The group of individuals less talked about in this pandemic is the student nurses.”

“It’s an honor to have our students assist and help make a difference within the healthcare communities,” said Joe Kheuasida, Concord campus assistant director.

“Sonoma Valley Hospital and its Community partners are truly grateful for the nursing students who volunteered from Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts. Their enthusiasm carried us all for the first three drive-through first dose clinics held at Sonoma Valley High School,” noted Sabrina Kidd, MD, Chief Medical Officer and UCSF Medical Director for Sonoma Valley Hospital. “Every student jumped at the various opportunities presented, from assisting with injection preparation to scheduling the second dose appointment. As a witness to their developing professionalism, the level of care each provided was above and beyond.”

According to Salvano, student nurses work in hospitals and acute and long-term care settings, caring for patients with high and low acuity alongside seasoned healthcare professionals and providing for populations while fighting the virus.

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Gurnick Academy of Medical Arts is a private, post-secondary educational institution operating six campuses across Northern California and Van Nuys, California. Gurnick offers allied health, nursing, and medical imaging programs, including radiologic technology, MRI, ultrasound technology, physical therapy assisting, vocational nursing, BSN, medical assisting, dental assisting, and a Bachelor of Science in diagnostic medical imaging.

* Pfizer-BioNTech requires two doses three (3) weeks apart.

Citations
¹“Vaccination to Begin for Sonoma Valley Residents 75 and Older|Sonoma Valley Hospital.” 2021. Information and Resources. Sonoma Valley Hospital, Sonoma Valley Health Care District, an Affiliate of UCSF Health. February 1, 2021. https://www.sonomavalleyhospital.org/vaccination-to-begin-for-sonoma-valley-residents-75-and-older/.