Faculty of Nursing-Nurses Respond to COVID-19


A Salute to Nursing. See how our local nurses are responding to COVID-19.  

Dana Menard, Kendall Soucie, Laurie Freeman and Jody Ralph study the impact COVID-19 has on nurses' health and well-being in border cities.  Read the article below:

Dana Menard (Faculty of Science; PI), Kendall Soucie (Psychology, co-applicant), Laurie Freeman (Nursing; collaborator) and Jody Ralph (Nursing; collaborator).

Their application “The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nurses' health and well-being in a border city" to the WE-SPARK Igniting Discovery COVID-19 Rapid Response competition has been granted support of $9,946 co-funded by the WE-Spark Health Institute ($4,973) and the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation ($4,973).

Project Description: Previous studies have shown that nurses working in hospitals during pandemics may face significant stress due to concerns about their own and their families’ health and safety, high patient mortality rates, ethical challenges associated with patient care and perceived unsafe working conditions. However, the unique experiences of RNs working in border cities and facing different health care systems with different responses to the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown. The purpose of this investigation is to explore Windsor RNs’ experiences of working in hospitals on both sides of the border during the pandemic through in-depth interviews. Results will allow us to identify significant mental health challenges and find ways to support their recovery and resilience during and after the crisis.https://www.wesparkhealth.com/projects-17/the-impact-of-the-covid-19-pandemic-on-nurses-health-and-well-being-in-a-border-city

Research Study highlighted on AM800

Dana Menard is interviewed on AM800 for research she and her colleagues, Kendall Soucie, Jody Ralph and Laurie Freeman are conducting on nurses who work in Windsor compared to those who live in Windsor and work in Detroit.  Have a listen on https://www.iheartradio.ca/am800/audio/the-aternoon-news-impact-on-nurses-during-the-pandemic-1.12751336?mode=Article

Researchers' article published in the Conversation, finds Nurses need more than praise to cope with pandemic

Please visit https://www.uwindsor.ca/dailynews/2020-08-25/nurses-need-more-praise-cope-pandemic-say-professors to discover more information and insight into how our frontline workers cope and the effects this pandemic has had on their day to day lives.  You can find the link to the article "Heroes, or just doing our job?  The impact of COVID-19 on registered nurses in a border city" through our Daily News link above.


University of Windsor Faculty of Nursing professor Dr. Kate Kemplin leads the fight against COVID-19 in NYC.

https://www.queensu.ca/gazette/alumnireview/stories/what-nurses-do

https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/uwindsor-nursing-prof-leads-frontline-charge-against-covid-19-in-nyc/wcm/ce5df640-95a3-4609-9394-df70c794f3bd/

https://windsor.ctvnews.ca/windsor-nursing-professor-answers-call-to-help-new-york-field-hospital-1.4919461


University of Windsor professor leads the charge to utilize recent graduates on the frontlines.

In Spring 2020, Windsor Regional Hospital hired approximately 90 third and fourth-year University of Windsor Nursing students as unlicensed nursing employees (UNEs). The UNEs are assisting the staff nurses as needed on various units, including the Intensive Care Unit and Emergency Department. A recognized area of need was the completion of 12-lead ECG’s on the afternoon and midnight shifts. Usually, respiratory therapists would need to take the time to complete the ECGs. 

Dr. Debbie Rickeard developed an online educational program for the UNEs on how to complete a 12- Lead ECG.  Once they completed the educational material, Dr. Rickeard tested the students using a skill checklist that she had also developed.  Before they can independently complete ECGs, the UNEs will be observed by a staff member on the unit. This is a great learning opportunity for the UNEs and frees up the respiratory therapists to respond to other patient care needs. Staff nurse, with an interest in learning how to complete ECGs were also welcomed to attend the sessions.

The Faculty of Nursing recognizes and thanks Dr. Debbie Rickeard in her contribution to safe patient care in this uncertain time.


A study by U of W Associate Professor, Dr. Kathryn Pfaff reveals discrimination against nurses commuting to their jobs in Michigan

Dr. Kathy Pfaff studies the stigma associated with nurses working in Michigan hospitals on obtaining healthcare services in Windsor.  To read more visit https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/uofw-study-reveals/wcm/d30f7b8e-277a-4328-88c3-edce81364206/


Congratulations to Dr. Edward Cruz!  University of Windsor and Hotel Dieu Grace Hospital partner on study of caring for caregivers. 

 

Nursing Students stepping up to help!

The Faculty of Nursing would like to recognize some of our nursing students who participated in the flu vaccine clinic day on campus, Wednesday November 11. The coordinators of the event truly appreciated having our student nurses and peer mentors: Drew McLenaghan, Allison Mack, Amna Odeh and Karlie Stam on hand helping at our flu vaccine clinic day! They went on to say, that although they did not fully utilize their nursing skills, having them greet, screen and direct each of our patients was needed to satisfy safety protocols and contributed a great deal to our patients’ confidence in the process.

Thank you Drew, Alli, Amna and Karlie and the physicians, nurses and staff at Student Health Services!


One of our own hears the call to help! University of Windsor Year 3 student Kaitlyn McCarthy shares her experiences as a summer student with the Covid-19 assessment team at Erie Shores HealthCare.

To find out more about Kaitlyn's experiences, please visit https://rnj.rnao.ca/news.


As Covid-19 cases soar, University of Windsor nursing student, Bailey Zilliges and University of Windsor Clinical Instructor, James Daabous, continue to fight the battle.  

James Daabous and Bailey Zilliges are shown treating a Covid patient during their shift.  Please read the full article in the Windsor Star  


Alana Ruggaber, U of W Nursing graduate begins her nursing career in the throws of a pandemic.

Recent graduate, Alana Ruggaber explains what life is like for a nurse treating patients on the Covid floor of WRH.  Read her story here.  


Vaccine clinic for the Indigenous population in Windsor-Essex being run by University of Windsor graduate student Sara Williams.

Sara Williams heads up the vaccine rollout for the Windsor-Essex Indigenous community at the St. Clair College Sportsplex.  Read her story here.