Hartnell nursing students administer COVID-19 vaccine to first responders
Hartnell nursing students administered the Pfizer vaccine to dozens of first responders across Monterey County. Working at locations in King City, Greenfield, Castroville and Salinas. It’s a moment in history many nursing students said they are proud to be a part of, including fourth year nursing student Jerrica Dexter.Beginning her nursing journey in 2018, Dexter said her passion of helping others dates back even further.“My mother was sick with cancer, so we were in and out of the hospital. Just seeing the experience, the adrenaline, the hard times and the good times, it really pushed me to pursue nursing as my career,” Dexter explained.Heading towards graduation in May of this year, Dexter is closing her final semester helping to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine to first responders, like Salinas firefighter and paramedic Sean Valenzuela.“It was good; it (went) smooth,” said Valenzuela. “I’m super fortunate that we’ve been given this opportunity to get the vaccine.”Valenzuela expressed receiving any protection from the virus is vital, because most of their calls are COVID-19 related.“Our call volume is way up right now. I’ve been on for most of the last six days and sixty percent of our medical calls are COVID positive or people (who have had) contact with people who have had COVID,” explained the firefighter.Being able to protect frontline workers, Dexter said, has been rewarding.“As a nursing student, we feel so helpless that we can’t be there in the hospitals helping and relieving some of the nurses,” said Dexter. “So, it’s great that we have an opportunity to do something to help protect the nurses, the firefighters, the EMT’s and the hospital staff.”First responders who received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine Saturday will receive their second round on Jan. 30.
Hartnell nursing students administered the Pfizer vaccine to dozens of first responders across Monterey County. Working at locations in King City, Greenfield, Castroville and Salinas. It’s a moment in history many nursing students said they are proud to be a part of, including fourth year nursing student Jerrica Dexter.
Beginning her nursing journey in 2018, Dexter said her passion of helping others dates back even further.
“My mother was sick with cancer, so we were in and out of the hospital. Just seeing the experience, the adrenaline, the hard times and the good times, it really pushed me to pursue nursing as my career,” Dexter explained.
Heading towards graduation in May of this year, Dexter is closing her final semester helping to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine to first responders, like Salinas firefighter and paramedic Sean Valenzuela.
“It was good; it (went) smooth,” said Valenzuela. “I’m super fortunate that we’ve been given this opportunity to get the vaccine.”
Valenzuela expressed receiving any protection from the virus is vital, because most of their calls are COVID-19 related.
“Our call volume is way up right now. I’ve been on for most of the last six days and sixty percent of our medical calls are COVID positive or people (who have had) contact with people who have had COVID,” explained the firefighter.
Being able to protect frontline workers, Dexter said, has been rewarding.
“As a nursing student, we feel so helpless that we can’t be there in the hospitals helping and relieving some of the nurses,” said Dexter. “So, it’s great that we have an opportunity to do something to help protect the nurses, the firefighters, the EMT’s and the hospital staff.”
First responders who received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine Saturday will receive their second round on Jan. 30.
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