The COVID Effect How the students and faculty of Loma Linda University School of Nursing found resilience in the face of world shattering circumstances. By Jackson Boren
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N LATE MARCH OF 2020, as widespread news of the coronavirus pandemic revealed the impact that the crisis was having on countries and communities across the globe, the Loma Linda University School of Nursing administration was tasked with rapidly adapting the nursing school structure, curriculum delivery and clinical placement plans based on the health restrictions of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Loma Linda University Health guidelines.
OVERNIGHT CHANGES
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LL DIDACTIC COURSES WERE TRANSITIONED from face-to-face instruction to online in just over a week. During the time period which would have normally been spring break, administration, faculty and staff worked vigorously to convert all learning components to the online learning format, utilizing web resources and communication technology to fulfill the course requirements as well as the needs of the students. The clinical lab portion of courses was drastically impacted by the new health restrictions. Fifty percent of clinical labs were shifted to the simulation setting, which required additional preparation and scheduling accommodation due to social distancing. The lab groups were made smaller while the number of groups and sessions increased. Former Associate Dean of Undergraduate Nursing, Dr. Barbara Ninan, says, “Suddenly not being able to have clinicals labs in the hospital was the most challenging obstacle of all. This delayed the completion of the quarter for the majority of students.” The decision for how to account for the
