My name is Morgan Longworth and I am a third-year nursing student at the University of Windsor. Recently, four nursing students completing clinical placements at Windsor Regional Hospital - Metropolitan & Ouellette campuses; have tested positive for COVID in Windsor, ON. ALL BScN students at uWindsor have now been not allowed to attend their clinical placements “until further notice”, stating that  “further information including when clinical will resume and virtual make up time will be provided when it is available”. 

I am deeply saddened and frustrated that I, an RN student, am not able to attend clinical in person until who knows when due to these unfortunate circumstances. A main aspect of nursing is the hands-on work and the communication involved with patients and interdisciplinary staff (physicians, pharmacy, etc). These skills are learned and developed in person on real patients and should not under any circumstances be replaced with online activities. I am a university student currently paying the SAME amount of tuition as I have paid in previous years - for not even half the education & experience. Not only that, but when I do graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, it is expected of me in future employment, that I have received the mandatory and necessary amount of clinical practice hours to form a solid foundation of knowledge upon entering into a career as an RN.

My fellow classmates and I, who have followed social distancing measures and safety protocols to the utmost respect are upset that we cannot learn to the standard that we are held to so highly as nurses. I am worried for my competency in nursing skills as well as terrified for the patients who will be receiving our care in the future - from such unstable learning environments. 

I hope, that through demanding change, we will get not just what we want but what we NEED as a crucial part of our education. Clinical hours in hospital for students who are following COVID safety protocols consistently and taking this pandemic seriously are so deserving of this chance to care for patients and learn IN PERSON. I believe that every student should be tested for COVID bi-weekly (similar to long-term care workers) and upon the results of this testing be allowed entry into clinical or not.