As the COVID-19 pandemic has served to remind us, nurses and other health care professionals are indispensable. We rely on them day in and day out. But at no time in recent history have our health care workers played such a central role in our community, as we seek their leadership and expertise to guide us through the pandemic.
According to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, 70 percent of California’s nurses are trained at community colleges. Our community is fortunate to have the Santa Barbara City College School of Nursing, whose programs consistently rank among the best in the nation.
This past year, students in the SBCC School of Nursing completed many of their required clinical hours by volunteering to administer COVID-19 vaccines at the Cottage Health drive-up community vaccine clinic at Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital.
This experience was pivotal for many students and provided a glimpse into one of the ways that health-care professionals go to extraordinary lengths to provide potentially life-saving care to our community.
Here are just a few of the experiences shared by these students:
Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Cara Christian hopes to work at Cottage Hospital. She will graduate from the SBCC in May and take her exam to become a registered nurse.
Christian’s experience volunteering at the Cottage vaccine clinic has been eye-opening.
“It’s a great environment, and everyone has a positive attitude,” she said. “The team effort is incredible, and makes everything as efficient as possible.”
For Christian, it has been amazing to see so many community members come through the clinic. In the beginning, it was primarily those working health care and older residents at the highest risk of COVID-19 infection. Everyone was so grateful to be able to get the vaccine.
“I’ve had the opportunity to meet a broad spectrum of the community, which has been fun,” she said.
Christian’s parents recently visited the clinic, and she was able to arrange her schedule to give them their vaccines. One of the highlights of her time at the clinic has been experiencing the gratitude of people who come through. The days can be long out in the sun, and this makes it all extremely rewarding.
Jane Lee will graduate in May with her associate degree in nursing (ADN) from SBCC. She had already fulfilled the clinical hours for her community health class by volunteering at the vaccine clinic, but continued to volunteer because more help was needed and she enjoyed it.
“It was such a wonderful way to experience and be part of the community,” she said. “It has really been special — at first we vaccinated the health-care workers, those at high-risk, and 75 years and older, and then all the other tiers that followed.”
Lee says the organizational efficiency at Cottage is exemplary and that it has continued to improve.
“At first, we were vaccinating 700 people per day, then it was 800 the following week, and by the third week, 1,000,” she said, noting that everyone has been working hard and adding that even retired nurses were volunteering.
“Once you’re a nurse, you’re always a nurse,” she said.
SBCC has provided Lee with a solid foundation, including experience with direct patient support.
“I feel 100 percent confident stepping into a hospital setting after my studies at SBCC,” she said.
Her next step after taking her licensing exam is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in nursing this summer at CSU Channel Islands. She ultimately wants to work in acute care and would love to do so at Cottage Hospital.
Daniela Gallardo is a student in the SBCC Vocational Nursing program and will graduate in December. After taking her exam, she plans to continue with the Associate Degree in Nursing program at SBCC to become a registered nurse. Her goal is to specialize in nephrology, as she was impressed with the nurses who helped care for her mother.
“Volunteering at the Cottage Hospital vaccine clinic was a really good experience,” she said. “It’s a great system and very smooth for patients.
“It has been wonderful to be a part of something that is giving so much to the community. After such a hard year, I feel like we are all part of providing that light at the end of the tunnel.”
When Gallardo first started working at the clinic, she was a bit nervous, but thanks to the expert instruction from those around her, she found her rhythm. She is looking forward to pursuing a career in nursing and continuing to play an important role in promoting health and wellbeing for those in her care.
As a volunteer at the Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital vaccine clinic, SBCC nursing student Cori Arnold is impressed with the system and everyone working there. During the time she has been volunteering, the clinic has been vaccinating nearly 2,000d people per day.
“So many people have turned out to work or volunteer their time, including teachers, hospital employees, and retired doctors and nurses,” Arnold said.
She says it has been a wonderful experience seeing the clinic operate and be a part of helping so many people get vaccinated.
Arnold has learned a lot at SBCC and is excited about entering the field of nursing after having worked for many years managing restaurants.
“The vocational nursing program at SBCC is excellent, and Rosette Strandberg (instructor and director of the Vocational Nursing Program) is amazing,” she said. “She is so knowledgeable and supportive of the students.”
After she graduates with her vocational nursing degree, Arnold plans to continue her education. She may pursue her associate degree to become a registered nurse, or work toward becoming a physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner. She would love to work at Cottage Hospital.
“There are so many areas to specialize in, including pediatrics,” she said. “I am flexible and open, which are hallmarks of being a nurse. I just know that I will thrive working in a hospital environment, helping people.”
Marissa Torres is in her second semester at SBCC and studying to become a licensed vocational nurse (LVN). After she graduates, her plan is to take her exams and eventually earn an associate degree in nursing and become a registered nurse. Her goal is to specialize in working in nephrology, possibly at a dialysis clinic.
Torres resides in Ventura and is incredibly happy with SBCC.
“I love the college and feel so lucky,” she said. “The instruction and resources here are excellent.
“My teachers have so much experience and are great at what they do. Many of them are still working as nurses.”
Torres loved being a part of the vaccine clinic at Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital.
“It’s been a great experience, and the RNs working there are amazing,” she said. “They’re so knowledgeable and helpful, willing to share tips and tricks. I’m so glad to have been a part of it.”