February 26, 2021

Big Shots

written by: Christine Kueter

Even if third-year nursing student Catherine Denton—who worked as a patient care tech on UVA Health’s COVID units—hasn’t cared directly for coronavirus patients, she’s seen its ravages up close. It’s why, when the first vaccine arrived last December, she was eager not only to get the shot, but to give it to others, too.

“This is an opportunity to tangibly change what’s been happening,” said Denton, of Charlotte, NC. “It’s frontline, right there, in the middle of what is the most important thing right now, which is community health.”

"It's a lot more than shots in arms."

Emma Mitchell, associate professor, who developed the vaccine clinic simulation as part of her community health class

Denton and her peers wishing to administer vaccines that protect against coronavirus will soon have their chance, thanks to an effort led by professors Bethany Coyne, Sarah Craig, Tomeka Dowling, and Emma Mitchell that offers new training and education as part of Mitchell’s spring Community and Population Health course. By early March, 48 third-years will be eligible to participate in public health vaccination clinics taking place in a former Big Lots retail store in Charlottesville's Seminole Square shopping center, a place affectionately called “Big Shots,” earning both credit and clinical hours along the way.

“It’s a really historic moment in our country,” said clinical instructor Catherine “Cat” Elmore, a vaccinator since January who led her clinical groups of students through vaccine clinic simulations in late winter, “and we think students should be able to participate, just like other healthcare providers are able to participate.”

Beyond learning the specifics of administering the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are other lessons, too: about reactogenicity (the vaccines’ common and expected side effects), vaccine distribution disparities, strategies for “sharps” disposal, to allay fears, and tend to the concerns of people with chronic health conditions.

prof Emma Mitchell and clinical instructors Sharon Veith and Cat Elmore teach BSN students at a vaccine clinic simulation. — Profs Emma Mitchell and Sharon Veith, along with clinical instructor Cat Elmore, trained BSN students for public health roles at vaccination clinics later this spring.

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BSN student Catherine Denton at a vaccine clinic simulation. — Students like third-year Catherine Denton - a patient care tech at UVA Health who saw patients ravaged by COVID - say they're eager to volunteer to administer shots.

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Sharon Veith, clinical instructor, at a vaccination clinic simulation for BSN students who may volunteer at public health clinics. — The simulation was "more than shots in arms," said Emma Mitchell. Here, assistant professor Sharon Veith discusses vaccine hesitancy, administration disparities, and side effects with students.

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Sam and clinical instructor Trish Higgins at a vaccine clinic simulation. — Clinical instructors Samantha Hudgins and Trish Higgins trained students using the same procedures that all UVA Health vaccinators receive.

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Cat Elmore teaches students at a vaccination clinic simulation. — Students refreshed their vaccination skills while also learning about other roles in which they might serve at public health clinics: as greeters and as pre- and post-vaccination educators.

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BSN student Madison McMahon practices vaccinating at a simulation. — Said BSN student Madison McMahon, "Five, ten years from now, when this is all over, to be able to say I was a nursing student and was able to vaccinate people against this virus, will be really cool."

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“It’s not just about putting a shot in the arm, though that’s an important part of it,” explained Mitchell, “but also about incorporating pre-vaccine teaching, post-vaccine education, and learning to convey answers to members of the public who have questions.”

“It’s a really historic moment in our country, and we think students should be able to participate, just like other healthcare providers are able to participate.”

Catherine "Cat" Elmore, clinical instructor, who's training BSN students to staff public health vaccination clinics

The students’ training—which mirrors training for all UVA Health vaccinators—prepares them to serve across three roles: greeters, vaccinators, and post-vaccine educators and monitors. All students assigned to vaccination roles will practice under supervision from clinical instructors Elmore, Trish Higgins, Vickie Southall, Sharon Veith, and Hui Zhao.

While the learning is not optional, volunteering to vaccinate is. But almost all are eager.

“Five, ten years after the pandemic is over,” said Madison McMahon, a third-year BSN student, “being able to say I was a nursing student and was able to vaccinate people against this virus will be really cool.”