Nursing students face unexpected transition to online classes
Photo by Sydney Pressley.
Between balancing a heavy course load and managing the demands of clinicals each semester, nursing students are now adapting to an unexpected halt to their traditional coursework. They are now trading on-campus preparation for their future vocations to online classes in response to COVID-19.
“The COVID-19 situation initially seemed distant, but now I recognize the severity of it,” said junior nursing major Natalie Burgdorf. “I have chosen to self-quarantine with my family in Ohio, not out of fear, but out of the recognition that I must respect those whose bodies cannot fight for themselves.”
To apply their skills to real-life situations, nursing students are typically required to complete a series of clinicals before they are awarded their official title as a nurse.
“Two to three times a week, we are in the clinical setting, seeing and interacting with real people whose lives I have a responsibility for,” said Burgdorf. “While I treasure the opportunity to care for another individual, it is challenging to observe the fragile tension between life and death during our hospital experience and then return to Lee’s campus life and events.”
On March 25, Dean of the School of Nursing Sara Campbell sent an email stating. “all clinical/lab sims will be suspended.” Nursing students must now adjust to a completely digital experience while waiting for additional information.
“This pandemic has greatly affected my school and college experience,” said junior nursing major Maddy Constantinescu. “We are now doing classes online through Zoom, and as far as clinicals go, our nursing faculty is working hard to find the best way possible to obtain our nursing clinical hours.”
Although all students have been affected in one way or another by COVID-19, it has especially shaped nursing students who are facing a global pandemic while studying to be in the medical field. The pandemic has caused them to reflect on how the healthcare system is responding to this crisis.
“Not one health care provider was expecting COVID-19, yet this has not stopped them. This is the true epitome of sacrifice,” said Constantinescu. “Every nurse, doctor and healthcare provider is putting their lives on the lines each and every day for the lives of others.”
Holding its status as a rigorous degree program, nursing students must now continue to learn how to adapt their schedules to revolve around the program.
“Being a nursing major has been full of challenges that were way different than high school,” said junior nursing major Chae Burgess. “I have had to change study habits, learn to say ‘no’ to so many things, learn to strive for excellence rather than perfection and to really invest in the relationships that will carry through the years.”
While the change to online classes involves each student working independently from home, the community the students build transcends distance.
“You have to take nursing school one step at a time and rely on your nursing cohort for encouragement and for them to remind you that we are all in this together — no person is doing this alone,” said Constantinescu.
Despite this unexpected challenge and halt to clinicals, many nursing students hold true to their initial passion and pursuit of becoming a nurse.
“I once wrote in an acceptance paper for the nursing program that the reason I wanted to be a nurse was ‘to be the hands and feet of Jesus,’” said Burgess. “The nursing program has done a great job at preparing all of the student nurses for times such as these.”
But even amid this trying and uncertain time, nursing students remain hopeful for the future.
“I have had professors sit and cry with me as I struggle through, and on the other end, I have had professors tell me to do better,” said Burgdorf. “Regardless, I trust and know that Lee is behind me and cheering me on in my pursuit of a nursing degree. I am thankful for the time I have spent here and am expectant for what is to come.”
