As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to this day, the nursing department at Stevenson University has had to adjust to the challenges that it brings. Two nursing students, senior Chad Smialek and junior Morgan Waltz shared their take on what it was like during the initial phases of the Covid-19 pandemic and on post-covid conditions.  

“There is a large emphasis on PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and on how to stop the spread of infection,” Waltz said. “The school also provides us with all PPE required for our clinical situations (KN95, Face Shield, Surgical Mask).” 

Waltz also noted smaller class sizes. 

“We have more sections available for our students, so that it will only be 2-3 people working with the mannequins rather than in the past where it was about 3-4 students working with a mannequin.”  

Smialek is still a bit stunned that something like Covid-19 forced so many changes.  

“Now that masks are so normal, I find it hard to believe we did not always wear them in the hospital,” Smialek said.  

He also noted virtual meetings with teachers.  

“These meetings allow teachers and students to be more available and have more office hours,” Smialek said.  

“The last thing that COVID has truly taught me about nursing is that I can bend but I will never break,” he said. “I mean this as anything can be thrown at me, and I will be able to handle it. Nursing is not an easy major/ job, but it is such a rewarding job, and I can not wait to be one.”