During this global pandemic, the students, staff and faculty in the Dixie State University Nursing Department are responding to need for action. Many are currently working with those infected with COVID-19 at hospitals and care centers, while continuing their studies. In addition, some are volunteering their time and talents to help with testing and vaccination activities across campus and in the Washington County community. Despite the challenges they are facing, they are still providing quality instruction and teaching. The students are learning and growing, while developing the critical skills and abilities needed in the world of healthcare.
The nursing department leadership would like to recognize the effort their department coordinators, instructors, and staff have made to ensure DSU nursing students are receiving the best educational experience possible during these extreme times. They are tasked with placing over 300 students, from all of their programs, into clinical, hands-on experiences during a time when clinical sites are closing their doors on a daily basis due to COVID-19 quarantine concerns. The clinical rotation schedule for St. George Regional hospital alone had to be modified 31 times before the start of the Spring 2021 Semester due to the infection surges within our community. These modifications continue as more units and community experiences are closed to students.
As a result, they have created more simulated patient experiences to take the place of live patient care to prepare students. The creation of simulation experiences, when done well, is extremely time consuming. The instructors have gone above and beyond what is required to make the creation of simulation happen. Additionally, several of our seasoned faculty and many nursing and CNA students are also working and volunteering clinically on the front lines against COVID-19. In the end, the nursing department and the College of Health Sciences should be recognized for their amazing efforts during the Global Pandemic.
To learn more about our nursing program, visit health.utahtech.edu/nursing/.