
Partners in a Pandemic
The UNM College of Nursing joined more than 70 nursing schools across the nation in the COVID-19 Community Engagement Pledge led by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
Read MoreOur students, faculty, leadership and staff volunteered to vaccinate on the first day vaccines where available to frontline healthcare workers in New Mexico – December, 15, 2020 at the UNM Hospitals. All healthcare workers in the UNM system who wanted the vaccine have now received it.
That day was the best day I have had in years! I was so happy to give the vaccines to all of the healthcare providers who have given so much of themselves during the pandemic. It was an emotional and rewarding day as I listened to their stories and as they expressed their gratitude to reach this milestone.
The New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) is leading the State of New Mexico’s COVID-19 vaccination planning and implementation in close collaboration with other state agencies, as well as public, private and tribal partners throughout the state.
The DOH choose the UNM indoor athletic venue, affectionately known as the "PIT" as the largest vaccination site for the Albuquerque area. Currently open Wednesday thru Saturday administering 2,000 vaccines a day.
Our role as the UNM College of Nursing is to support the DOH by filling those vital volunteer roles at the PIT. It’s not just our BSN students volunteering. Faculty, leadership, staff and graduate students are stepping up too. Not everyone is administering the vaccine as there are many roles for volunteers. It is a true team effort from the staff who coordinate and provides PPE to the scribes.
The vaccine events are far more than just vaccines for our BSN students. They are a clinical learning experience. Students are improving their communication skills – calming patient fears, answering questions and guiding them through the process.
75 level 4 and 70 level 2 BSN students from Albuquerque and Rio Rancho campus BSN students volunteered at The Pit and UNM Hospitals vaccination events. A total of 145 students!
Students, faculty and staff are participating in vaccination efforts throughout New Mexico.
The UNM College of Nursing joined more than 70 nursing schools across the nation in the COVID-19 Community Engagement Pledge led by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. We commit to deploying students, faculty and staff to support vaccination efforts, conduct contact tracing and provide other key services across New Mexico.
Eight level 5 Dual Degree BSN students from the CNM campus joined by their faculty supervisor, Michael F Shannon, participated in the Albuquerque Police Community COVID-19 Vaccination event on March 11th. Together with a team of volunteers, the clinic provided over 250 vaccines.
All level 4 students from Albuquerque and Rio Rancho campuses in the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters are assisting with COVID Calls in partnership between the UNM Office of Community Health, Aging & Long-Term Services, and the New Mexico Department of Health. They are also participating in the UNM Student Health and Counceling's (SHAC’s) COVID Call Center.
Indian Health Services (IHS) requested UNM College of Nursing partnership and of course we jumped at the opportunity to serve this population. We have since participated in several vaccination events.
Four level 2 BSN students joined by their faculty supervisor, Laura Vanyo, participated in the First Nations Community HealthSource COVID-19 Vaccination event on Saturday, February 13th. Together with a team of volunteers, the clinic provided over 570 vaccines. Our students and faculty providing 25 vaccines each on average, along with helping supporting event logistics.
Laura Vanyo returned with new BSN Level 2 students on March 13th to provide the 2nd dose, giving other students the ability to make a difference in the community.
I had a busy week of work that week – even graded all day on Sunday – but Saturday at the vaccination event didn’t feel like work at all. I felt so useful and empowered. Rather than sitting and worrying about the pandemic we were able to make a real difference.
We supported IHS at the Native American Pueblo of Acoma-Canoncito-Laguna - Service Unit Vaccination Event on March 6th with 3 faculty, 13 level 2 BSN students and 8 level 1 BSN students. The Level 2 students gave first dose Moderna vaccines and the Level 1 students assisted in registration. The event is delivered 900+ vaccines to the community in one day.
We returned on April 7th with 13 students and 2 faculty members - Loren Kelly and Kristen Ostrem - to provide the second dose.
The First Nations Community HealthSource COVID-19 Vaccination event was an empowering and humbling experience. I felt so honored to have the opportunity to administer the first round of vaccines to this community. I hope in the future I can have many more experiences like I did at First Nations and I encourage everyone to participate if given the opportunity.
It is not just vaccines that we are supporting, all 71 of our level 5 nursing students at the Albuquerque and Rio Rancho campuses are assisting with Navajo Nation contact tracing efforts through COPE (Community Outreach & Patient Empowerment). Around 12 students participate from home each weekend.
The UNM College of Nursing joined more than 70 nursing schools across the nation in the COVID-19 Community Engagement Pledge led by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
Read MoreChristina O’Connell, class of 1996 and current DNP student, is the director of “The Pit” COVID-19 clinic for the next few months.
Read MoreA University of New Mexico College of Nursing research team is partnering with Sandia National Laboratories to explore the impact of COVID-19 outbreaks on hospital surge capacities through computer modeling and advanced data analytics.
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