As a nursing teacher, I see how COVID-19 is affecting students

Jennifer Strom, Registered Nurse On the primary day of sophistication, I all the time ask my students how they feel concerning the upcoming mental health component of their education, and their responses vary. Some students say they’re excited to be taking the category; others say they’re nervous about taking the category due to stereotypes about mental health they’ve seen within the media. Once during clinical orientation, after I was showing them the isolation room, a student asked, “Where is the straitjacket?” After my initial shock wore off, I explained that we don’t use straitjackets; they’re only in the flicks. Some students have said that being in a locked ward makes them uneasy. Then there are those students who’re steadfast of their disdain for mental health nursing, and I spotted that I might need to do every part I could to present this nursing specialty—which is in dire need of nurses—in a dignified way and plant the seed that it shouldn’t be as bad because it is perceived. I prepared for these reactions from each recent group of scholars by putting on my game mask and saying, “Let’s do this. We are going to have a great semester.”

Now add COVID-19 to the combo. Uncertainty about whether you’ll have a clinical site where students can attend, uncertainty about whether classes will likely be face-to-face or virtual, and uncertainty about whether you or your students may have to quarantine as a result of exposure or testing positive for the virus. All of this is simply too complicated for college students to handle, together with the day by day grind of nursing school and “normal” stressors.

Tired and restless

Every day I see the toll of teaching nursing during a pandemic. Students are exhausted, not only from studying but additionally from continually worrying about what lies ahead. Their schedules can change within the blink of a watch, so nursing instructors have to have contingency plans.

Our students need consistency and a structured environment to succeed academically and develop into nurses. COVID-19 is the enemy of structure and consistency.

Several students have reached out to me to precise their concerns; some are even wondering whether or not they wish to proceed in nursing school. They wish to socialize and study together as a gaggle to enhance their performance within the classroom and create the needed bonds expected of school life. They are concerned about ending nursing school, passing the NCLEX exam, and the environment they will likely be in after graduation. There is already a big difference within the policies and procedures of healthcare facilities from the last graduating class to this one. They are uninterested in not knowing. They are having panic attacks and their anxiety is increasing. They are scared, and a few are too embarrassed to say anything for fear of appearing weak.

Self-care within the classroom

I even have personally began to put aside time firstly and end of every class for self-reflection and meditation/silence. I exploit deep respiration and visualization therapy to assist them address the rise in anxiety and panic attacks. This alone makes a difference not only of their mental health but additionally in the best way they view patients with mental health issues.

Confidence is every part in nursing school, especially when it comes from an instructor. And nursing instructors like me do our greatest to offer that confidence, together with a stable, stress-free environment. We continually provide our students with the very best education and resources for his or her success.

The lifetime of a nursing student is demanding, and the added stress of nursing school and the pandemic is sufficient to tip the scales. I fear for them. I fear for the nursing occupation. I fear for our country. This virus has taken a lot from so many—their lives, their time with their families, their peace of mind, and their love of being a nurse. The frustration, burnout, and nurses leaving the occupation scare and hurt me probably the most. If nurses are feeling this manner at once, and my students are seeing this—combined with the fears and uncertainty they have already got—how can I, as an instructor, keep them focused on their goal of completing their degree? We all have to do our part to combat this virus, but we should be just a little more understanding, just a little more patient, and just a little more comforting to our nursing students. They are going through a lot physically, mentally, and emotionally. We are their guides. We are their lifelines during this critical time of their lives. We are their nursing instructors.