Nursing students support Anoka County COVID-19 vaccine distribution

March 25, 2021

Anoka-Ramsey Community College Nursing student Harrison Pour set up at Anoka County COVID-19 vaccination site.

As COVID-19 vaccine distributions ramp up across the state, Anoka-Ramsey Community College nursing students received a unique opportunity to contribute to the efforts.

In partnership with Anoka County Public Health, students volunteered  to administer vaccinations at a local vaccination site in early March.

Under the supervision of nursing program instructor, Kristen Bebeau, four students worked in two-hour shifts and administered more than 60 doses of the vaccine. Students will continue to support the site through mid-March.

Anoka-Ramsey Nursing student administering the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.

More than a learning opportunity, the nursing students who participated in the clinic are proud to contribute to the vaccination efforts and create an impact in the community.

“This partnership allows the nursing program and college to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the community and the health of the population within the community,” said Bebeau. “Additionally, while partnering with Anoka County Public Health we can improve community health and safety, educate the community regarding the current pandemic and increase access to care.”

Anoka-Ramsey Nursing instructor, Kristen Bebeau (right) showing students how to administer the vaccine

“It is an important opportunity for a nursing student to learn in and experience this historic time in our lives. The COVID-19 pandemic is something we are all learning from and those that are on the front line vaccinating our community is extremely important, I am proud to be part of this,” shared Cindy Ross a second-year nursing student.

Statewide community impact

The Anoka County vaccine distributions were not the only opportunities Anoka-Ramsey has had to support the COVID-19 vaccination efforts. Students from the Cambridge Campus have been participating in Isanti County vaccine clinics and local clinic partners in the Twin Cities have also been utilizing the help of students.

“Some of the nursing students have had the amazing opportunity to be able to provide COVID vaccinations with some of our clinical partners, however, partnering with Anoka County Public Health has a broader scope that allows the students to utilize their knowledge, skills, and attitudes in a student nurse capacity with a much larger population,” said Bebeau.

“Being able to be a part of that experience through my own nursing program is near and dear to my heart. This is an exciting time of change that we have been waiting for, and I am honored to be a part of it,” said Elizabeth Cantrell Anoka-Ramsey nursing student.  

Supporting Minnesota’s health care workforce

The pandemic has presented challenges for Anoka-Ramsey’s faculty, staff, and students, but the college has been successful in protecting health and safety while supporting students as they continue their progress towards their educational goals.

Anoka-Ramsey’s nursing program is the second largest in the state of Minnesota and the college has come up with creative ways to meet the high demand for nurses in Minnesota’s workforce.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, 158 students have completed the program prepared to test and become licensed in Minnesota. An additional 110+ nursing students are prepared to graduate this spring.