Nursing students help with annual flu shot clinic

Elizabeth Rios is taking what she’s learned in the classroom to make a difference in the community. The NIU School of Nursing student is one of many Huskies administering flu shots during the university’s annual flu shot clinic on Oct. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Holmes Student Center, Duke Ellington Ballroom.

“I am so glad our clinical group is able to be a part of it,” said Rios. “I’ve actually enjoyed it; you get to meet and speak with so many different people and are able to see how a clinic is run.”

This is the second of two clinics on campus hosted by The DeKalb County Health Department, NIU Employee Assistance Program and NIU School of Nursing.

Mary Gawrys, clinical instructor for the School of Nursing, said students gain a variety of skills from real-world experiences like this.

“Very simply they get to practice injections, but the larger skill they learn is to communicate and educate large numbers of diverse individuals,” Gawrys said. “My students always comment on how much more confident they feel after being active and independent in this role.”

Rios agreed.

“It honestly made me proud to see how we participated in the flu clinic and how confident we were,” Rios said. “I am glad that nursing students are given this opportunity because it also helps us improve our communication and documentation skills.”

Rios said she is grateful for the professors and clinical instructors who have helped along the way. But when it comes to the School of Nursing, there is nothing like her fellow nursing students.

“The students I have gotten to meet have been the best,” Rios said. “I’ve met so many great people during my time at the School of Nursing. I honestly couldn’t have done it without them.”

Learn more about the School of Nursing.

 

Source: NIU Today CHHS News

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