by Nicole Hackett, Student Public Relations Writer
This fall, Cedarville University School of Nursing and School of Pharmacy students have been inoculating their fellow students, and even a few faculty members, against the flu season. Receiving these vaccinations allows the students to meet their clinical compliance requirements.
In cooperation with University Medical Services (UMS), nursing students vaccinated 274 fellow nursing students and four nursing faculty members during clinics. UMS collaborated with the Cedarville University School of Pharmacy to vaccinate 61 pharmacy students and one pharmacy faculty member. In addition to vaccinations, nursing students and faculty members were also tested for tuberculosis.
“Both clinics were successful,” explained Deb McDonald, director of UMS. “This seems to be the type of health care model that UMS, the school of nursing and the school of pharmacy will need to use going forward to serve these young professionals with their wellness-related clinical compliance needs.”
UMS provided the equipment and space for these clinics, allowing qualified nursing and pharmacy students to administer the vaccinations alongside other health care professionals.
“This was the second time that I have done something like this through the school of nursing,” said Madeline Fiser, senior nursing major from Havertown, Pennsylvania. “Through this kind of experience, students are able to gain experience and confidence and learn technique. I would highly recommend it for any nursing major.”
"Immunizations are an important and practical way that pharmacy students get to directly take care of our patients every day,” explained Erin Dickman, second-year professional pharmacy student from Westerville, Ohio. “It was a great experience to be able to participate in this flu clinic to practice these skills."
“I appreciate immunizing my fellow students,” commented Hannah Mahlum, senior nursing major from Adel, Iowa. “If I am able to be fearless immunizing them, I most definitely can be the same working with strangers.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,193 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.