COVID-19 vaccination clinics: meeting clinical hours and improving nursing students’ skills

BACKGROUND: As 2020 drew to an end and the country was looking forward to 2021, the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing was presented with the challenge of administrating large quantities of COVID-19 vaccines. As the vaccines became more readily available, staff skilled in intramuscular injections (IM) were needed at multiple locations to administer the vaccinations. METHOD: The school of nursing faculty recognized this as an opportunity for nursing students to gain clinical experience by substituting one virtual clinical day with one day at the in-person vaccine clinic. A comprehensive implementation plan was developed in collaboration with leadership from across the health system. RESULTS: The students were able to increase confidence in IM injection skills while helping the community by administering life-saving doses of vaccine to patients and Galveston county residents. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination clinic participation proved to be a worthwhile experience for the nursing students and faculty.