Undeterred by COVID-19, SON Students Forge Ahead with ICU Immersion

“The students who chose to stay in the ICU for their senior immersion hours are really displaying their dedication to nursing,” Michele Mckay, undergraduate clinical coordinator, says. “Choosing to be in the ICU environment at this time exemplifies that for many nursing students, nursing is not about a job, but is a calling. These students are demonstrating their commitment to the profession and that they are willing to put the needs of their patients first.”

Mckay believes this experience taught students how to work together during times of crisis, including working in situations where some of the equipment and supplies they need may not be readily available and thinking critically to prioritize needs.

“This clinical time emphasizes that lifelong learning is not just a term, but a reality in nursing; new diseases and situations will arise in their careers and they will learn where reputable resources are for new issues,” she explains. “They will also learn to effectively communicate and work with administration and other members of the healthcare team to ensure the safety of patients, their nursing co-workers and other team members.”

Nikita Caratelli, who completed her capstone placement at Kenmore Mercy Hospital's ICU, is no stranger to an ICU environment. 

“I started in the ICU at Mount St. Mary's Hospital in the summer of 2019 for the Catholic Health internship program," Caratelli says. “I ended up loving it and sought out a career in critical care. Thanks to the Catholic Health critical care pathway, I am able to gain more experience in the ICU prior to graduation.”

A 2020 graduate of the traditional undergraduate nursing program, Caratelli needed to complete 108 hours for her capstone course within three weeks during the Spring 2020 semester, a time that solidified her passion for the critical care setting.

“I love the amount of teamwork that contributes to a successful ICU,” she says. That is a large part of what draws me to critical care. I have learned an unbelievable amount in the intensive care setting. I have had some truly amazing preceptors and patients. Critical care allows me to piece together everything I learned in nursing school because the patients are all so complex and unique.”

Those lessons have been amplified working in critical care during COVID-19.

“Working in an ICU during a pandemic has been eye-opening,” Caratelli says. “As I mentioned, the teamwork in an ICU is unlike any other unit I've been on. This during a pandemic is no different, and may even be amplified. Everyone is looking out for each other. I plan on carrying that with me throughout my nursing practice.”

In addition to her capstone hours, Caratelli has worked as an immediate treatment assistant (ITA) at Mercy Hospital on the CVICU since October 2019

“My most memorable day as an ITA was when I helped nurses in the ICU, which is one of our designated red zone COVID units," she says. “For me, it was one of the first days the reality of the pandemic had hit me at work. Overall, working as an ITA in my unit has not been much different yet because the CVICU is not one of the designated COVID units. One of the biggest changes has been my routine before work. It now includes screening at the door, a daily sticker with the date on it, applying a surgical mask and then changing into OR scrubs.”

Now that she has graduated, her ultimate goal is to start in an ICU as a graduate nurse.

“I am passionate about critical care and am eager to start my career!” 

John Connor, who completed his clinical rotation on the ICU at Mercy Hospital, was also familiar with critical care. This was his third rotation on the hospital's ICU, as he completed both his fall clinicals and winter internship on the unit. He also worked there as an immediate treatment assistant.

“I requested a rotation in ICU at Mercy Hospital because it has been my goal since starting nursing school to get a job in the ICU," Connor says. “I want to be a part of the process in taking care of and hopefully improving the conditions of the very sick patients you see in the ICU. The ICU environment gives a nurse the opportunity to expand their knowledge of disease pathology and to hone their critical thinking skills, which is something I am looking for in a nursing career.”

Like Caratelli, Connor completed 108 hours within three weeks.

“It has been a great experience, and each time I have had a rotation in the unit, I feel like I have built on my existing body of knowledge,” he says.” This rotation has been especially beneficial, as I have been given more responsibility with respect to completing assessments, communicating with providers, giving reports and making clinical judgments. In working on the unit, I have established relationships and friendships with a number of coworkers, so they have been especially helpful in teaching me and answering my questions."

Now that he has graduated, he has accepted a position as a graduate nurse on the ICU at Mercy Hospital, which begins in June. He hopes to work there for a few years and then apply for the nurse anesthesia DNP program here at UB.

When asked how it feels to enter the health care workforce during a pandemic, he says it feels like business as usual.

“While certain things have changed, like screening everyone entering the hospital, no visitors, and wearing a mask at all times, it still feels pretty similar with regard to caring for patients,” he adds. “I feel I am ready to start working full-time and do my part as a nurse, whether it be caring for COVID patients or non-COVID patients.”