12/22/20

Dear SPCHNA Members,

As we approach the New Year of 2021, we hope and pray that the Covid 19 virus is getting more and more behind us. College Health Nurses start to see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, the new Covid 19 vaccine(s) is being released, distributed and administered.

A “BIG THANK YOU” goes out to our members who have given their all to help with this Pandemic. Your endless efforts to educate, test, screen, triage, and care for ill students has been heroic.  Nurses spent countless hours with plans to keep our campuses healthy and prevent Covid outbreaks. College Health providers were affected by this pandemic like no other- keeping our nations campuses open for learning (live, virtual or hybrid).  You are commendable!

In this crisis, many of us not only worked in College Health but in hospitals, nursing facilities, Urgent Care Centers, doctor’s offices, public health departments, etc. We have seen how this pandemic has affected healthcare provider’s use of technology to help us see patients, treat patients, and communicate with our patients.

Since Covid 19, Telehealth has become the new norm for screening patients and evaluation of the need for in- person assessments. Many new policy changes occurred because of the pandemic; barriers decreased to help promote the use of Telehealth. The opportunity to measure its success has increased exponentially. Telehealth seems to be the way of the future, especially, in the way of infection control. The way we diagnose, treat and manage disease is changing, thanks to the evolution of new technology.

We are hopeful that the membership will be able to meet in 2021.  Haverford has been working to provide us with a May 2021 Conference. ACHA will announce their Annual Conference Live and/or Virtual in January 2021.  Good news - ACHA has made it possible for Nurses that work for a paid ACHA membership school to become free members. Take the opportunity to join and be a part of the Nationally recognized ACHA organization. ACHA is at the forefront of College Health.

Happy Holidays and Thanks for all the hard work you are doing and continue to do during this trying time. This world is a better place because of all of you! College Health Nurses are true Heroes!

Lenore Joyce, RN

SPCHNA President