Administering over fifty flu shots at a time to an entire network of university and hospital workers is no small feat. But at the beginning of November, that’s exactly what second-year UConn nursing students Isabella Badagliacca, Vanesa Galindo, Carolyn Jandura, and Taylor Jones did. 

UConn Nursing’s Fundamentals clinical rotation provides students with real-life opportunities outside of the classroom to apply what they are learning. As part of this clinical experience, the students practiced giving vaccines to Yale employees – while also helping to prevent the spread of the flu. 

“I love how hands-on it was, how every patient is different, and having an opportunity to learn something new,” says Jandura ’27 (NUR).

This was the first time Jones ’27 (NUR) participated in this kind of clinic. She says, “The best part of the entire experience for me was building a sense of confidence in talking to the people who we were administering shots to.” She goes on, “The clinic was the perfect environment to build up not only our injection skills, but our communication skills, as well.” She says that the hospital employees were warm, welcoming, and full of encouragement. 

Jones and Jandura ’27 (NUR) both emphasize that the School of Nursing has done a great job teaching them the basics so that they feel prepared and comfortable working with clinical instructors and appreciate the opportunity to hone their abilities in a safe setting. 

“I love how hands-on it was, how every patient is different, and having an opportunity to learn something new” – Jandura ’27 (NUR)

Jandura says, “Giving an injection on a real person is a lot different than giving it to a simulation manikin, so being able to give so many in one day was really valuable, since this is a skill I will use for the rest of my career.” 

Adjunct clinical faculty, Victoria Startz, MSN, RN, TNCC, is immensely proud of these future nursing Huskies. “As an instructor, I think they enjoyed it and I loved watching how capable they will become,” she says. 

Jandura, who hopes to work in emergency nursing, says that along with gaining valuable hospital and patient experience, she feels more confident heading into the NCLEX exam. While classes prepare students for what to expect in a clinical environment, these experiences will help their academics in turn. 

Jones wants to be an ICU nurse one day. She says, “Thanks to everything UConn has taught me and the encouragement of my instructors and professors, I know that I can make it there.” 

To learn more about UConn Nursing’s undergraduate program, please visit: nursing.uconn.edu/admission-academics/bachelor-of-science/.