Students Administer Flu Shots for Hands-on Experience
University of Arizona Health Sciences students from the College of Nursing and the College of Pharmacy spent the final week of October presiding over campus flu shot clinics in the Student Union on Main Campus and the Recreation and Wellness Center in Honors Village. There, nearly 1,000 students were immunized by pharmacy and nursing students.
With so many courses moving online in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, students were eager for experience working with patients, and this hands-on outreach event provided a rare opportunity.
The future nurses and pharmacists said that, in addition to gaining confidence giving shots, they learned how to establish rapport with patients and answer their questions about the flu shot, preparing them for their careers. Read the story.
University of Arizona College of Law student Maryam Azimi receives a flu shot from College of Nursing student Abbygail Chavez-Gonzalez inside UArizona Recreation and Wellness Center at Honors Village.
After taking a COVID-19 antigen test, a student receives a flu shot from College of Nursing student Genevieve Veneziale, who says the secret to giving a good shot is “remaining calm and talking to your patient, making sure they stay calm and making sure they’re relaxed.”
Fourth-year PharmD student Lisa Le says working in a flu shot clinic requires the ability to build rapport quickly. “You have to gain their trust within five seconds, right then and there.”
College of Pharmacy students Catherine Hensley (left) and Sang Nguyen (right) consult preceptor Eva Liang, PharmD (center), about techniques for administering a shot.
Campus Health organized flu immunization clinics at the Student Union Memorial Center and NorthREC for UArizona students. Pharmacy and nursing students volunteered to administer the flu vaccine to their fellow Wildcats.
Lisa Davis, PharmD, professor of pharmacy practice and science (left), speaks to PharmD student Lisa Le as College of Nursing student Genevieve Veneziale gets advice from Campus Health nurse Karen Schwartz, RN (right).
Over the course of five days, from Oct. 26 to Oct. 30, pharmacy and nursing students administered nearly 1,000 doses of the flu shot.
College of Nursing undergraduate student Abbygail Chavez-Gonzalez has advice for anyone nervous about receiving a flu shot: “Take a deep breath. It just feels like a little poke. A lot of people are surprised by how little you feel from a shot.”
PharmD student Rambo Le administers a flu shot as preceptor Deborah Van Sant, PharmD, observes from behind him. “The flu is a lot worse than getting the flu shot,” he says, encouraging everyone to get immunized this season.
Kishan Hadvani, a PharmD student, prepares a flu vaccination for his next patient. He says he volunteered at the clinic to give back to the community.
Nursing student Genevieve Veneziale disinfects a student’s arm before administering a flu shot inside NorthREC. Veneziale says she saw several first-time flu-shot recipients at the clinic.
UArizona student Justin Clark learns about the flu vaccination with preceptor Michael Katz, PharmD, professor of pharmacy practice and science, and PharmD student Sammy Zimmerman.
College of Pharmacy student Judy Mburu administers a flu vaccination to a student, hoping to create a comfortable environment to help patients feel at ease. “When you, as the immunizer, get comfortable, the patient will also get comfortable,” Mburu says “They’re not going to feel afraid or worried.”
Hailey Finn, a College of Nursing master’s degree student, encourages everyone to get a flu shot. “It’s a really important season to get a flu shot,” she says. “The flu vaccine is a great way not only to keep yourself safe, but to keep your community and your family safe.”
A childhood experience with Wilms tumor inspired Michelle Garcia, a College of Nursing master’s degree student, to enter health care. “I’m a cancer survivor,” she says. “Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to be in that same type of environment, helping give back.”
Hailey Finn and Michelle Garcia, members of the College of Nursing Master’s Entry to the Profession of Nursing (MEPN) program, pose for a photo with Chase Jones, a member of the UArizona men’s indoor volleyball club and an undergraduate student in psychology and criminal justice.