Ben Overby
Staff Writer
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Faculty and students in Murray State’s nursing program have been on the frontlines of the regional COVID-19 vaccination efforts at the CFSB Center. 

Nursing students and faculty assisted in treating and monitoring patients during the three regional vaccination days that have taken place on campus. 

Dina Byers, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions assisted the Calloway County Health Department and the Murray-Calloway County Hospital in the planning and implementation of the regional vaccination site. 

Byers said the faculty and students were eager to volunteer for whatever assistance was needed. 

“The SONHP nursing faculty and students have helped by administering vaccines, assisting people with mobility issues from their cars into the CFSB Center, monitoring for any adverse responses to receiving the vaccine and checking temperatures at the door and answering any questions that people may have,” Byers said.

Despite challenges with Mother Nature, which forced a change in clinic dates, Byers said the operation has been seamless. 

“The clinic has run smoothly and efficiently,” Byers said. “SONHP faculty and students are glad that we are a part of this important initiative. We will continue to support our partners and work together as a team.”

Both faculty and students who volunteered said it was a rewarding experience. Byers said patients were excited to get the vaccine and grateful for those who were working the clinic. 

“Some of the stories that are shared by people receiving the vaccine are truly touching,” Byers said. “There is a lot of hope and happiness experienced by working the clinic.”

Byers said she relied heavily on Dana Todd, Bachelor of Science in Nursing program director and nursing professor, and Lori Ballard, nursing instructor, to help facilitate the organization of the nursing student volunteers.

“Seeing the happiness above the masks and hearing the encouraging comments that participants have had has been such a rewarding experience,”  Todd said. “The optimism is palpable. I am honored and privileged to be able to participate.”

Byers said it was also a great clinical experience for students, who were able to learn how a mass immunization center functions.

“They have the opportunity to apply many of the key concepts learned in the classroom setting, such as how to care for people with mobility issues, how to communicate with the geriatric population and educating others about the vaccine,” Byers said.

Senior nursing major Coleman White monitored patients at the site after they received the vaccine, making sure people didn’t have any adverse reactions and helped people back to their vehicles.

White said one of the most difficult aspects of his role was answering patients’ questions about the coronavirus.

“Many people had questions about the COVID-19 virus and the vaccine that I did not particularly know the answer to right away,” White said. “However, a big plus to having so many healthcare workers present is that someone was always there to answer any questions and address any concerns that they had.”

White, who is also a nursing assistant at Murray-Calloway County Hospital’s COVID-19 unit, said that working during the pandemic has been very challenging and exhausting but has strengthened his great respect for the profession.

“I see what these nurses go through on a daily basis at the hospital, and the care that they provide our patients is amazing,” White said. “I have seen what this virus can do firsthand and it is scary, but to have a chance to end this pandemic with the vaccine is a breath of fresh air for all of us. I am so glad that Murray has so many willing participants in this clinic.”

White said this experience has taught him very valuable clinical skills, especially since the experience is something many health care workers have not had to go through. White also said being involved in this groundbreaking experience showed what being a nurse really is like.

“The care and the love we have for people is what drives us in doing what we do,” White said. “Clinical experience always teaches me how to care for my patients to the best of my ability, but this particular vaccination clinic showed me just how important our job is to the general public. People look to healthcare workers for help and guidance, and that is exactly what we gave them at this clinic. While no one ever wants a pandemic such as this one to occur, I am glad I was able to help in some way in putting an end to COVID-19 and obtain valuable clinical experience that will forever change my outlook on nursing care for the better.”

White said this experience has taught him very valuable clinical skills, especially since the experience is something many health care workers have not had to go through. White also said being involved in this groundbreaking experience showed what being a nurse really is like.

“The care and the love we have for people is what drives us in doing what we do,” White said. “Clinical experience always teaches me how to care for my patients to the best of my ability, but this particular vaccination clinic showed me just how important our job is to the general public. People look to healthcare workers for help and guidance, and that is exactly what we gave them at this clinic. While no one ever wants a pandemic such as this one to occur, I am glad I was able to help in some way in putting an end to COVID-19 and obtain valuable clinical experience that will forever change my outlook on nursing care for the better.”