PUC Students Administering COVID-19 Vaccines to Essential Workers
A “Not only did PUC train me to treat the person holistically, but they also led by example. The department is unique in that we build such close relationships with our professors and classmates.”
People in cars wait in line down the street waiting to get a COVID test.
36 Pacific Union Recorder
fter months of performing COVID-19 tests in the local community, PUC’s department of nursing has partnered with Adventist Health St. Helena and St. Helena Hospital Foundation Mobile Health Unit to provide vaccinations to healthcare workers. “We have had to get creative and think outside the box for teaching practices and providing students with real experiences,” said Debbie Wallace, department chair of the nursing program. “This partnership has been great, and students have received valuable advice and mentorship from working professionals.” We asked Guadalupe Gomez, a PUC nursing student, about her experience: How does it feel to serve during a pandemic? It feels like a relief. I felt helpless watching frontline staff work tirelessly, and it felt empowering to use the practical skills that I have been building and keeping on standby for the last year. How did PUC prepare you? Thinking like a nurse is emphasized early on in PUC’s nursing program. You are trained to think logically. Not only did PUC train me to treat the person holistically, but they also led by example. The department is unique in that we build such close relationships with our professors and classmates. I can always reach out for support and prayer; each one has truly impacted my life and my practice in a positive way. What has it been like? It is surreal. At first, working in the testing site felt like a sci-fi movie, with everyone walking around with masks, shields, drapes, face guards, and hair nets. We looked like nurse drones, every sign of humanity covered up and tucked away. Without the ability to smile and gather casually, it was tough to make human connections. But the human race is resilient, and after a while, it felt like a typical day. And we learned new ways to connect with people even while wearing a mask. What are your future plans? I plan to continue my education at PUC. I want to get my B.S. in Nursing here and explore incorporating a Public Health certificate. I want to get my master's and even doctorate and serve as an educator in the clinical setting or classroom. Christ will guide my way, but I have learned the importance of networking and saying yes to new experiences. This experience has indeed been transformative, and I’m looking forward to what the future holds for me. ____________________ By Haley Wesley
Pacific Union College
