CCC Nursing students will be helping with flu-shot clinics at the Coconino County Department of Health and Human Services through November. Courtesy photo.
FLAGSTAFF — Coconino Community College Nursing student Wes Grove put a bandage on Pauline’s arm after he gave her a flu shot.
“I didn’t feel a thing,” she said in a Brooklyn accent. Although her face was mostly hidden by a mask, her eyes squinted and suggested a smile.
Pauline was one of a line of people waiting in their cars for their annual flu shots available during a number of clinics through the Coconino County Department of Health and Human Services. CCC Nursing students will be helping out every other Saturday.
“We are a community college, and I want our students immersed in the community,” said Katherine Costa, Director of Nursing and Allied Health at CCC. “And this fall, this is the best way to do it.”
Costa added that the clinics will give participating Nursing students experience in giving vaccines.
“And flu vaccines, at this time, are very important,” Costa said. “We want to keep people as healthy as possible during the pandemic.”
Nurse Supervisor Debbie Branson said that anybody can come to the CCDHHS building on King Street to get a flu vaccination. The cost of a vaccination is $30, and all major insurances are accepted, but Branson added that nobody will be turned away if they want a vaccination, even if they can’t afford it.
“It’s wonderful, especially right now,” Branson said of the CCC Nursing students helping deliver the vaccinations. “It gives them patient contact, and it helps us. Our community needs more nurses, and we want to get them trained.”
Grove, a nursing student in his first year, began his shift without ever having given a shot before.
“There was a little anticipation at first,” Grove said. “I’m getting more comfortable by the minute.”
Grove plans on going into an acute-care environment after he completes his studies.
“I plan on doing it here because I was born and raised in Flagstaff,” Grove said. “I’ve always wanted to do something medical … and Nursing seemed the best fit.”
He added, “It’s very rewarding – being present for people in their worst moment and doing what you can for them.”
Nursing student Danielle Connell also hails from Flagstaff. Before that day, she hadn’t given a shot, either.
“It was a little nerve-wracking,” she said, then smiled. “I feel better about it now.”
Connell said that she’d wanted to be a nurse since she was a little girl, but taking care of her grandfather when he was ill cinched it for her.
“That’s when it really sunk in for me,” she said. “It just felt like that’s what I was born to do, and I love it.”
She’s hopeful to become a neo-natal intensive care nurse because she’s currently working in that kind of environment.
“The work there, I love it,” Connell said. “I’ve always felt more emotionally attached to children.”
For more information about the county Drive-up & Walk-up Flu Vaccination Clinics, visit https://coconino.az.gov/fighttheflu. For more information about the CCC Health Services pathways, like Nursing, visit https://www.coconino.edu/paths/health-services.