Holmes Community College nursing students have been all over the central and northern part of Mississippi administering the different COVID-19 vaccines. They have been able to get valuable experience in a clinical setting and also increased their skills in dealing with the general public on a major scale.
Both practical nursing students and associate degree nursing students have given thousands of shots in the state. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been given at the following locations: Canton High School, Smith-Wills Stadium in Jackson, Warren County Health Department at Uptown Mall in Vicksburg, Baptist Hospital, Philadelphia, Starkville, University of Mississippi Medical Center Covid Vaccine Clinic in Grenada, Oxford Conference Center in Lafayette County, Health Department in Leflore County, Civic Center in Panola County and the Horse Park in Starkville through the Oktibbeha County Health Department with future vaccinations scheduled at Trustmark Park in Pearl. No group has given the Johnson and Johnson vaccine yet.
“One great experience about giving these shots is all of the ‘thank you’s’ and ‘I appreciate you’s’ that you get from the people who come in and get their vaccine,” Grenada Campus practical nursing student Taylor Preston from Cascilla said. “Even though it’s obviously the patient’s choice to get the vaccine, it makes you feel good knowing that you are a part of their journey in getting to that point.
“I very much enjoy giving shots,” she said. “My first Covid vaccine shots that I gave I was very nervous and was scared to give them, but I am thankful that I had understanding patients who I was giving them to and after giving two to three of them I was more confident in not only giving the Covid vaccine shots but also other shots that I had to give patients in my other clinical settings.”
Preston said Holmes has stepped up to fight the spread of COVID-19. “It’s important for Holmes nursing programs to get involved in giving vaccines because this shows us taking a step in caring about the well-being of the people we take care of and it also puts us on the front line of helping people in gearing up to getting our society somewhat back to normal.
“Covid vaccines teach our immune systems how to recognize and fight the virus that causes it,” she said. “The vaccine is effective in keeping you from getting the virus as well as keeping you from getting seriously ill from it if you do contract the virus. It will feel very weird when the day comes where we don’t have to wear masks anymore, but I can’t wait to see where this vaccine leads us in getting our society somewhat back to normal.”
Chrishonna Neely, a Ridgeland Campus practical nursing student from Jackson, said being on the frontline has been an amazing experience.
“Often you hear that a career in nursing is not for everyone and the coronavirus hasn’t made it any easier,” Neely said, “but to me this virus has had the exact opposite effect. It has provided me strength in knowing that the career I’ve chosen is where I need to be. We need those who are willing to fight for our recovery, our healing and our growth.
“Nervous is an understatement to how I felt once I learned I would be administering the coronavirus vaccine,” she said. “Imagine being a new nursing student instructed that you will be administering something that could possibly change the world. I was overwhelmed, but from the moment I saw the lobby full with patients who were just so grateful to be there to receive a vaccine, the nerves left. I knew at that moment why I was in nursing school, why I’d spent endless hours learning my skills, and why I was there that day.”
Neely said the opportunity has taught them a lot. “As nursing students we are eager to learn,” Neely said. “We need to gain experience so that we are able to be competent nurses once we finish. This is a new fight for the entire world and as future nurses this is certainly our fight too.
“Vaccines are an essential part of helping us get back to our normal way of life,” she said. “Sure many people are uncertain of getting vaccinated but there is information available to address concerns. This is new to us all, it can be scary but for me that thought of sunshine on my face while I’m surrounded by those that I love without fear, motivates me to do what needs to be done.”
“My initial experience was frightening while working on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Ridgeland Campus practical nursing student Octivia Singleton from Flora said. “Though, slightly intimidated, I was still up for the task. I felt that our instructors had fully prepared our class and advised us to reach out to them if we had any questions or concerns regarding administering the shot.
“COVID-19 has caused life-threatening illnesses, hospitalizations, and death. So, I knew I wanted to play a role in fighting the deadly virus and saving lives. I enjoyed meeting the patients and hearing their take on the virus and vaccines. I felt virtuous knowing that I would be playing a part in combating COVID 19 and keeping the patient safe from illness and death.”
“My first shot was a little scary because my patient looked me square in the eyes and asked, ‘Will this hurt’? I explained to the patient that it would only be a pinch, in which my response gave the patient some comfort. Only five minutes had transpired but it felt like an hour. As I continued to administer shots to several patients it became easier and quicker with each patient.”
Singleton said she’s glad Holmes answered the call for help. “I think it is important for Holmes nursing programs to get involved in administering the vaccine,” she said. “The students can get the experience in working on the frontlines during the pandemic and general skill and communication experience. The more hands we have to assist; the more vaccinations we can give to the public. We could possibly have a greater chance at reaching herd immunity sooner.”
“It is important given that it could very well stop the spread of the virus, which will reduce health issues, hospitalizations, death, and get us to herd immunity. It would be wonderful to get rid of the masks, see everyone’s faces, and inhale fresh air. I would love to be able to just experience social and physical contact again.”
Brantley Holder, an Attala Center practical nursing student from Lexington, said her experience has been great.
“The military medics that were there were so friendly and helpful,” Holder said. “There were hundreds of people who came and got vaccinated, and it warmed my heart because they were all so eager to get their shot and hopefully give us a chance to get back to normal. I was so happy to have the chance to learn and help during this pandemic at the same time.
“I enjoyed it so much,” she said. “I had butterflies in my stomach when I went to give my first vaccine. I was so scared to mess up, but my clinical instructor, Mrs. Comfort, was right there with me and watching and making sure I had it right. I think I had a system going after I gave about 10 shots. It was so fast paced that it didn’t take me long to get it down.”
Holder said having nursing students giving shots was very important. “These vaccines are our chance to help us get back to normal,” she said. “I think this is a wonderful opportunity for any nursing student to perfect the method of giving a vaccine and to get a taste of what it’s like to care for patients in a fast paced environment.
“I believe that, in the end, it’s a personal decision to get vaccinated, but if everyone who is willing and able would read up on it and go ahead and get it, it would move our chances of ending this pandemic up the ladder. I can’t wait until we get back to normal! I love seeing people’s faces and these masks are breaking my heart, but I know they’re needed. I just want to see all the beautiful faces.”
“My experience giving shots was great,” Attala Center practical nursing student Kenon Allen from Sallis said. “It is a joy to know that I had the ability to vaccinate thousands against a deadly virus that has claimed the lives of many. I enjoyed giving the shots. I was nervous at first about giving shots back to back but it soon became common nature.”
“I believe it is imperative for the Holmes nursing students to participate in giving vaccines because it gives us numerous chances to perfect our crafts in the nursing skill of giving shots,” Allen said. “It is important to get vaccinated because it can lower your risk of contracting COVID or if you happen to contract COVID the probability for harsh symptoms may be very slim to none at all.”
