Back to School

Multiple scenarios are unfolding around the USA as well as the world to bring students safely together. Perhaps the biggest challenge facing pre-licensure nursing education is access to safe, welcoming  clinical environments.  Stories are beginning to emerge about the experiences of students and instructors, as they descend upon healthcare facilities recovering from the COVID-19 crisis (and preparing for the next wave). . Supplies of PPE remain an issue and students must, in many settings, BYOPPE (Bring Your Own Personal Protective Equipment).  One faculty member told me that her students were placed on a COVID unit and told that, although the staff were mandated to wear N-95 respirator masks, students "did not need to wear any masks."  In many agencies, doors remain closed to pre-licensure students as they anticipate a second wave this fall.  In some places this is so critical that nursing programs have cancelled the fall semester--no classes--no clinicals--no academic advancement toward graduation, putting the pipeline of new graduates on hold in many places.  
I would like to hear your back-to-school stories--please share.