COVID-19: SON-Specific Information

Dear Senior Level Nursing Students,

We have received approval from New York State Education, Office of Professionals to provide alternate levels of clinical experiences for the spring 2020 semester. For senior level students the approval contains the following elements for NSG 481:

Students will complete their remaining clinical hours using Virtual Simulation and clinical conferencing. Students will complete assigned VSims with patient planning sheets based on the hours that each of your clinical groups needs as directed by your clinical instructor. In addition, there will be a 2-hour weekly clinical conference scheduled by your clinical instructor beginning the week of 3/30/2020 during your normally scheduled clinical time. Clinical faculty will send information out about this to their clinical groups.

For NSG 447 at this time we do not have access to clinical sites. However, we continue to work with all of our agencies to determine when students may complete this course/the 108 hours.

I ask for your patience as this unprecedented crisis is taking its toll on our clinical facilities. We understand that many of you are not local and will work with students to create a plan for NSG 447 completion once we have site availability. I will share additional information as soon as it becomes available.

Stay safe and well. This next week will be stressful for all as we move to online education. Faculty are working hard to meet all of your needs and we will work with you.

Dr. Mann
Catherine Mann, EdD, RN, CNS, CNE
Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies; Associate Clinical Professor
216 Wende Hall
cmmann@buffalo.edu

Dear Junior Level Nursing Students,

We have received approval from New York State Education, Office of Professionals to provide alternate levels of clinical experiences for the spring 2020 semester. For junior level students the approval contains the following elements for NSG 375:

Students will complete up to 50% of specialty rotations using virtual simulations in an online, asynchronous format. Since each of you has already completed one full specialty rotation and one day in the second, you will all have different plans in terms of what online Vsims you will complete. You will move through the rotations as scheduled with the assigned clinical instructor for each simulation to complete 24 hours in the two remaining specialties.

The clinical instructor that is assigned to each rotation will verify that Vsims are completed and hold a weekly 2-hour clinical conference with you as a group on your assigned clinical day using Zoom or Webex technology starting the week of 3/30/2020. Each instructor will notify you of the time of the conference in advance.

In addition to these Virtual Simulations and clinical conferences, all students need to complete a minimum of 24 hours of contact time in the remaining specialty areas. Since we are not currently able to go to clinical sites, you will receive a grade of Incomplete in NSG 374 and NSG 375 until these hours are completed. You will finish NSG 374 coursework this semester. We will work with our clinical partners as soon as they allow us to return to clinical sites so that you are able to complete the clinical time before graduating. I ask for your patience as this unprecedented crisis is taking its toll on our clinical facilities. We understand that many of you are not local and will work with students to create a plan once we have clinical site availability. This may occur over the summer 2020, fall 2020, or spring 2021. I will share additional information as soon as it becomes available.

Stay safe and well. This next week will be stressful for all as we move to online education. Faculty are working hard to meet all of your needs and we will work with you.

Dr. Mann
Catherine Mann, EdD, RN, CNS, CNE
Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies; Associate Clinical Professor
216 Wende Hall
cmmann@buffalo.edu

The rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic is affecting all aspects of life. As a nurse practitioner, we know you feel the effects of these changes daily. The School of Nursing understands the nature of this pandemic is changing quickly, and we will continue to adapt as circumstances change. 

Please note that ALL students are required to continue the didactic coursework through the end of the semester. This has not changed from your current course mode. 

For those who are conducting Project-based research: all human subject studies will be paused until further notice. Studies that are analyzing data can continue. Please read the attached document, which includes guidance for research conducted with human subjects. 

We understand this is a difficult situation, but please know we are continuing to work to the best of our ability to help our students be successful and stay safe. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your faculty advisor or program coordinator if you have any questions or concerns.

The University is transitioning all courses and support services to an online format. As COVID-19 situation continues to escalate nationwide, we are faced with a difficult decision regarding the protection of our students in clinical. In this extraordinary situation, protecting the health of our students and the patients with whom they would interact in clinical environments is paramount. As such, the School of Nursing has suspended all clinical experiences at this time. Please do not report to clinical effective tomorrow, March 19, 2020. We are also suspending all in-person lab simulations at the university. Please do not report to campus for these in-person simulations effective March 19, 2020. 

Psych, Adult, and Family students graduating in May: each program coordinator will send you an individualized plan detailing your clinical coursework requirements. Please note you have already met the minimum 500 direct patient care hours required to take your boards. The program coordinators are crafting individual plans detailing how you will meet the minimum 1000 clinical hours for the DNP program. 

CRNA students: you have also met all the clinical requirements for patient care.  You are required to still participate in virtual simulations per the course syllabus. CRNA students in the graduating classes of 2020 and 2021 are required to finish all online coursework associated with didactic instruction AND simulated password protected exams/board exams associated with clinical coursework.

Please note that ALL students are required to continue the didactic coursework through the end of the semester. 

We understand this is a difficult situation, but please know we are continuing to work to ensure our students are safe and successful. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your faculty advisor or program coordinator if you have any questions or concerns.

March 18, 2020

Dear Undergraduate Nursing Students,

The COVID-19 pandemic is rapidly affecting all aspects of life. As our School of Nursing (SON) and clinical agencies/partnerships work to address the steadily mounting challenges, including balancing the demands of clinical care with those of education, collaboration across all institutions is essential. Recognizing these extraordinary circumstances, we are suspending clinical placements and on campus labs/simulation until further notice. The SON understands the nature of this pandemic is changing quickly and we will continue to adapt as circumstances change.

We have submitted a plan for approval to New York State Education Department (NYSED) to move to Virtual Simulation and synchronous weekly clinical conferences with clinical faculty for the remainder of clinical for seniors in NSG 481. Clinical faculty will contact students to arrange conferences 2-hours per week during a normally scheduled clinical day. We are hopeful that students will be able to complete NSG 447; the timing for this course and related clinical hours will depend on circumstances and availability of clinical sites. We appreciate that this interruption and reorganization of student education raises concerns for students about timely graduation. We are making every effort to graduate our seniors in a timely manner.

In addition, we have submitted a plan for approval to NYSED to move to Virtual Simulation, synchronous weekly clinical conferences with clinical faculty for the remainder of clinical, and to extend time for students to complete clinical hours for NSG 375 prior to completion of the undergraduate program. Clinical faculty will contact students to arrange conferences 2-hours per week during a normally scheduled clinical day.

We cannot institute these plans until approved by NYSED. An additional communication will be sent out once we have heard back from NYSED.

Starting Monday, March 23, 2020, all non-clinical courses will be online/distance education. Each course faculty member will send a plan on how the course will be delivered and a syllabus addendum. Some classes will be in real-time (synchronous) through use of ZOOM or Webex, including examinations. Plan to be available during regularly scheduled class time.

By working collaboratively we will find a way forward at this unprecedented time.

Kindest Regards,

Catherine Mann, EdD, RN, CNS, CNE
Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies; Associate Clinical Professor
716-829-6036(office)
cmmann@buffalo.edu
Webex: https://ub.webex.com/meet/cmmann

Dear UB School of Nursing Students,

I understand we are navigating a time of great uncertainty, stress and anxiety, especially for students. Echoing the message sent to students last week by Interim VP for Student Life, Christina Hernandez, I want you all to know that the School of Nursing is committed not just to your success, but equally to your health and well-being. Faculty and staff are meeting daily to plan for and discuss your concerns related to clinical hours, exams, and course delivery in order to help you successfully complete your program in the most effective manner possible in these extraordinary circumstances. 

I understand you may feel overwhelmed but I want to assure you that the School of Nursing faculty and staff are here for you and that you remain our number one priority. This means not just the completion of your program, but also working with you to ensure your physical and mental well-being.

Please know that there are many resources available to you on campus and remotely, including counseling services and crisis resources. If you need mental health support during this stressful time, please visit https://www.buffalo.edu/studentlife/life-on-campus/health/mental-well-being.html or contact UB Counseling Services at 716-645-2720 to schedule a same-day appointment. UB has also created a tip sheet for managing COVID-19 anxiety, which is attached to this email.

We are also working on a COVID-19 response webpage specifically for the School of Nursing that will include frequently asked questions and important updates specific to nursing students.

Though this is a trying time, we will continue to fulfill our duty to you, our students, and will work diligently to keep you informed of any changes or developments that impact you. Please refer to UB’s COVID-19 website for the most recent updates from the university. 

Warm regards,
Dean Marsha Lewis

Dear UB Nursing Students,

Yesterday, in an effort to reduce density on campus and help mitigate the possibility for exposure to COVID-19, Governor Cuomo announced that all SUNY institutions, including UB, will implement plans to maximize distance learning and reduce in-person instruction, effective March 23 and through the end of the spring 2020 semester.

The purpose of this email is to communicate SON plans as we transition to online course delivery. Faculty and Student Services will continue to provide you with timely updates as we navigate this fluid situation.

Students have a right to safety, and should know that UB School of Nursing is making every effort to assist students in continuing clinical rotations, simulation and labs in order to successfully obtain their degree.

School of Nursing students are expected to return to campus after spring break. If you choose to travel, be aware of health and travel advisories for your destination. If your travels overlap with an impacted area, please consult Erie County Health Department upon your return to the Buffalo area for important next steps.

All in-person courses for the spring 2020 semester, with the exception of clinical rotations, labs, and simulation, will be held online. Course faculty will contact students with information on specific modalities for individual courses. 

Contact your instructor.

Clinical rotations will continue. Students are expected to follow the guidelines and screening protocols established by the UB School of Nursing and their clinical site. Clinical instructors will advise you on screening requirements for each facility before students return from spring break.

Labs and simulation require students to be present and will continue. We will follow Erie County Department of Health guidance regarding group size.

Advising will continue. Students may elect to change advisement appointments to phone or Webex. For graduate programs advising, contact your program coordinator. If you have any questions, email nursing@buffalo.edu. 

All student employees, including students on TA/GA/RA appointments, should continue to report to work and fulfill their regular obligations. TAs are expected to continue their obligations in lab and simulations.

Students who are not feeling well must consult with their family physician or UB Student Health Services, where the staff is prepared to answer questions and provide support.

As we move to a distance-learning model of instruction, UB and the School of Nursing will remain open, and UB’s campus operations will continue without interruption. This includes residence halls, campus dining, student academic support and health services, university libraries, transportation, campus safety and all other university services.

The staff at the University will be working diligently to provide the most factual, up-to-date information as it becomes available. For official university guidance and updates about UB’s preparedness and response to the virus, visit: buffalo.edu/coronavirus

We recognize that this is a stressful time for many of you. We want to assure you that we are doing everything we can to ensure all members of the School of Nursing community are safe and healthy.

Best wishes,
Marsha L. Lewis, PhD, RN, FAAN
Dean and Professor
The School of Nursing
University at Buffalo