Nursing students from Keiser University Port St. Lucie are on the frontlines of COVID-19 recovery administering lifesaving vaccinations in St. Lucie and Martin Counties. Their dedication, and hard work, was recently featured on WPBF (ABC West Palm Beach).

Keiser University Chancellor and CEO Arthur Keiser said it’s very exciting to see the students volunteer. “It’s very exciting to see that they are qualified to do this and we’re just grateful to them to what they’re doing to give back to the community,” he said. “We look to see more of our students throughout the state participate in the vaccine program.”

In January, health officials from the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie and Martin Counties reached out to Keiser’s Port St. Lucie campus for assistance. Within a week, more than 20 Keiser nursing students were working with state health officials in various capacities at vaccination sites. The students are involved in pre-vaccination screenings and education, and post-vaccination observation. In Martin County, some Keiser students are administering second doses of the vaccine to provide relief to professional healthcare workers. Only students who have successfully completed pharmacology courses are approved to deliver vaccinations following additional training from the Department of Health.

The WPBF report, which aired live during the station’s 5 p.m. broadcast on February 17, featured an interview with Keiser University nursing student Caitlin Irving who said she is excited about the opportunity to be able to serve her community.

“To be able to help out specifically in the Pandemic and for it to help eradicate it is just a blessing,” Irving said. “It’s unreal honestly.”

To view the report in its entirety, visit: https://www.wpbf.com/article/nursing-students-get-on-the-job-training-during-pandemic/35541199

In recent weeks, states throughout the country have requested assistance from nursing students, medical assistants, and first responders to help in vaccination efforts to free up healthcare workers battling the pandemic. In addition to assisting in their communities, the volunteer work gives Keiser University students a firsthand experience in pandemic recovery operations.

As the number one producer of nurses in Florida, Keiser University nursing graduates throughout the state are engaged in similar work. In addition to Port St. Lucie, Keiser students are currently volunteering at vaccination sites in Lakeland and will soon be volunteering in West Palm Beach as well.

Keiser University is a private, not-for-profit university, serving nearly 20,000 students and employing 2,900 faculty and staff members. Co-founded in 1977 by Chancellor Arthur Keiser, Ph.D., and Evelyn Keiser, the university currently offers more than 100 degrees at 21 Florida campuses, as well as online and at two international sites. Keiser University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges as a level VI institution to award certificates and degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, masters, specialist, and doctoral levels. For additional information regarding Keiser University, visit http://www.keiseruniversity.edu.