You are Not “Just a Nursing Student” You are the Future of Nursing
You Are Not “Just a Nursing Student” You Are The Future of Nursing
By E. Light, PhD, RN
Today in class as we discussed the implications of COVID-19, I looked around the classroom and I saw the future of nursing in all of you. I know you may be feeling that you are “just a nursing student” but to our fellow nurses and the people in our communities – you are the next generation of nurses who will be on the frontlines caring for patients as RN’s very soon.
Some of you are already caring for patients as nursing assistants, working in hospitals seeing impact of this novel virus unfold. Some of you are currently in clinical gaining experience and as a result may have limited access to patient care experiences because of the lack of PPE (personal protective equipment). The impact of COVID-19 is being felt globally and in every sector. Nursing schools, clinical experiences, classrooms and beyond are all being impacted by COVID-19.
You Are Not “Just a Nursing Student” You Are The Future of Nursing
Our communities need health care professionals today more than ever. You are the future of nursing. You matter more than ever in the big picture and are greatly needed. Once you are registered nurses you will be asked to step up to the plate and join the forces in identifying, screening, assessing, monitoring and caring for those with COVID-19 and potential COVID-19 exposure. You are going to be required to use PPE to protect you from contracting this novel virus so you can stay healthy and continue to take care for patients daily and limit exposure to others.
Some of you may filled with eagerness to help, excitement to finish school and obtain your license and secure a job so you can be part of the nursing teams who will make a difference. Some of you may be filled with worry and fear. I want you to know that it’s ok to feel a lot of mixed emotions right now.
What I want you to remember is you have the ability to make a difference right now – to make a positive impact with your knowledge and experience as nursing students. With misinformation everywhere it’s imperative more than ever to guide our communities to read, review and access credible resources. When you graduate and become licensed RN’s you will continue to go on and make an incredible impact – I’m certain of that!
What can you do now to make a difference?
- Encourage the public, family, friends and loved ones to remain calm and not to panic.
- Be ready and available to listen to those with concerns, often people need to have an opportunity to express their concerns to feel better. As a future nurse your family, friends and loved ones are depending on you. They will look to you for your opinion, guidance and help.
- Encourage everyone you know to wash their hands, remind them to go back to the basics – you all know this very well, you’ve been taught how to wash hands properly and can teach others how to do it properly.
- Encourage everyone to use hand sanitizer when appropriate.
- Remind everyone not to touch their face: eyes, mouth, nose, ears, etc.
- Remind the public, family, friends, and loved ones to avoid shaking hands.
- Tell people if they are sick to stay home and anyone with urgent medical concerns (i.e. shortness of breath) to seek care immediately.
- Remind our elderly populations and those with serious underlying medical conditions to stay vigilant with handwashing, limit activities that involve large crowds of people to limit their potential exposure.
- Protect yourself while at the bedside – review PPE procedures so you can ensure you are doing it correctly.
- Escalate safety concerns and potential exposures.
- Stay informed and connected with the latest updates from CDC, WHO, our school, the BRN, and your place of employment.
- Learn as much as you can – be a sponge always soaking up the latest information.
You Are Not “Just a Nursing Student” You Are The Future of Nursing
Once you are RN’s you will be joining your fellow nursing teams in promoting health, wellness, educating, potentially caring for patients with COVID-19 and saving lives. One of the many reasons nurses rock – we care for others who are sick and dying even during times of crises, outbreaks and pandemics. We (nurses) have always made a difference in health outcomes of people in our communities and we will continue to do so time and time again. As the future of nursing – you will be an important part of the trajectory and timeline of this novel virus. Remember that you can make a difference and we need you more than ever!
Information is Power: Educate Yourself with Credible Resources:
When Dr. Fauci discusses COVID-19 we should all listen!
Dr. Anthony Fauci NIAID Director
https://www.niaid.nih.gov/about/director
Covid-19 – Navigating the Uncharted
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe2002387?query=RP
CDC COVID-19 Updates
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
WHO COVID-19 Updates
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Understanding Pandemic Timelines/Learning from Past Novel Viruses: 2009 H1N1 Pandemic Timeline
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/2009-pandemic-timeline.html
Nurses Notable Contributions to Health 1918 Pandemic Influenza
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/1918-commemoration/pandemic-timeline-1918.htm
Inspiring Article about Nurses in Philadelphia and the Incredible Impact they Made During the 1918 Pandemic Influenza
https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/history/publications/calm-cool-courageous/
Learn what our nursing community is doing to make sure our nurses have the proper PPE to protect themselves!
This article highlights the challenges, concerns and considerations for our nursing students on the frontlines
I truly never imagined my first blog post here at 1111 Light Lane related to nursing (that has been a long time coming) would be centered around the future of nursing and our current COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless I am excited to continue to bring nursing related content to you and I hope you share it with your fellow nurse family members, nursing students and those in our nursing community so we can spread this positivity and love to our nursing communities.
p.s. Don’t forget to subscribe and share!
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