Each year, graduating nurses from Union College learn what it's like to be a working nurse through a preceptorship, during which they care for patients alongside veteran nurses in local hospitals and medical clinics.
The students begin with basic tasks such as taking vital signs and learning the workflow of the nursing station before moving onto a bigger caseload, eventually managing multiple patients by themselves under the watchful eye of their preceptor.
The goal, according to Nicole Orian, a registered nurse, and director of Union College's nursing program is for students to build confidence and competence while translating the skills learned in the classroom and practiced in clinical rotations and simulation centers into a real-world setting.
"We want students to be able to feel the full responsibility of what that nursing role is," Orian said. "They get a taste of what it is really like."
But a fall surge of the coronavirus threw Union College's senior nursing students into a crucible, giving them a unique view of a health care system under enormous strain and dedicated professionals pushed to their limits.
Orian, who traveled to New Orleans to work as a nurse in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina said this semester's students were immersed in what was essentially a long-term disaster response.
Lacey Axelson and Kendra Ward, part of a class of 16 who received their nurses' pins at a small, socially distanced ceremony held by the Seventh-day Adventist college last week, said the preceptorship reinforced their calling to become nurses.
It also exposed the best friends to what they can expect when they join the health care workforce.
When the preceptorship started in mid-October, there were about 50 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Lincoln hospitals, according to the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department.
By the time they completed the experience in mid-November, that number had nearly tripled. The health department reported 142 coronavirus-related hospitalizations on Nov. 13.
Axelson, who came to Union College from Oregon, worked in the intensive care unit at CHI St. Elizabeth early in the pandemic before returning for her preceptorship.
"To come back 6-7 months later, it was overflowing, for lack of a better term," she said.
Ward, of Utah, started her preceptorship in the cardiac progressive unit at Bryan East Campus without any COVID-19 patients, but that quickly changed.
"By At the end of the preceptorship, we had COVID patients because there was nowhere else to put them," Ward said. "It made me see that this virus spreads in ways I don't think we completely understand."
While both Axelson and Ward described their experiences as being physical, mentally and emotionally draining, they also said they gleaned valuable lessons they will carry forward with them into the workforce.
Axelson said she witnessed "incredible teamwork" put forward by the nursing staff, doctors, therapists, and others assigned to care for those with COVID-19, which made each shift feel more manageable.
She said she also recognized the importance of self-care, particularly after a series of long shifts left her feeling exhausted — a sentiment shared by health care workers in Nebraska and across the country in recent months.
"You can't take care of people unless you're taking care of yourself as well," she said. "You can't pour from an empty cup."
Ward said watching nurses sign up for extra shifts, even after having worked long hours in high-pressure situations day after day, also drove home the importance of teamwork in a health care setting.
"It makes me really grateful for the nursing program and this experience, to learn how to think critically and understand you're never going to have all the answers. It's OK to lean on the support staff and not be afraid to ask questions," Ward said. "That's the reality of nursing."
Orian said the faculty in Union College's nursing program, who are nurses themselves with wide-ranging personal experiences understood they were sending students directly into the maw of a national health crisis.
There's no way to 100% prepare young nurses for a pandemic, she said, but the faculty tried its best to provide context and encourage students to discuss their experiences with one another.
The "small but mighty" class of graduates will be entering the workforce at a time unlike any other, she added, but they are energetic and eager to begin.
"I would be lying if I didn't say they are nervous," Orian said. "But they got into this for the right reasons, which are to provide good, high-quality care to patients. They feel called to that life of service."
IMAGES OF LINCOLN DURING THE PANDEMIC
Finals week

A lone University of Nebraska-Lincoln prepares for a final with a start time of 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, at Henzlik Hall. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Co-teaching

leads the in-person students aas Miranda Orellana leads the remote learners via zoom as the pair co-teach a fifth grade math lesson on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, at Lakeview Elementary. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
City Council distancing

Chairs for the public at the City Council meeting are seen wrapped up in plastic bags to encourage social distancing on Nov. 23 at County-City Building.
Gameday empty Saturday

A crane used for construction of the Lied Place on Q street flies an American and Husker flag before the Nebraska versus Penn State game on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star.
Thank you Bryan West

DeEtta Mayrose (right) greeted employees arriving for an evening shift of Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020, during a Thank-You event for health care workers at Bryan Medical Center - West Campus. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
No fans allowed

Kathryn Goertzen and Kurt Goertzen watch the television screen on the northwest side of Memorial Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Husker cutouts

Husker fan cutouts fill the North Stadium stands before the team takes on Penn State on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium. FRANCIS GARDLER, Journal Star
Arena cleaning

Mitch Sweeney sprays the seats during cleaning in between state volleyball tournament games on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Volleyball social distancing

Wahoo fans are seen spaced out from one group to the next during the first round of the Class C-1 state volleyball tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Skeleton signs

Skeletons outside of a South Lincoln home encourage residents to go vote in the upcoming election on Thursday, Oct. 29, 2020. Kenneth Ferriera, JOURNAL STAR.
Boo at the Zoo

Shae Center (from left) give out candies to Payton Jones, 6, as the family Bre Jones, Carson Jones, and Miles Jones, 3, go trick-or-treat during Boo at the Zoo at Lincoln Children's Zoo, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Football Saturday

Nebraska fans cheer on the Huskers while watching the Ohio State game on the Cube in the Railyard on Oct. 24.
YMCA closed

The YMCA on 11th and P streets is closed until further notice on Thursday, Oct, 22, 2020. Kenneth Ferriera, JOURNAL STAR.
Downtown mask art

Pop-art ads encourage patrons downtown to wear masks on Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Kenneth Ferriera, JOURNAL STAR.
Marching band competition

Lincoln Pius X saxophonists compete during The LPS Marching Band Showcase at Seacrest Field the on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. Kenneth Ferriera, JOURNAL STAR
Outdoor seating

University of Nebraska-Lincoln senior Joel Smith packs up his bag at a newly created seating areas under tents at Nebraska Union, Friday, Oct. 16, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
East Campus proposed budget cuts

University of Nebraska junior Emma Fritz works on hard draping using a half-scale model in Draping Class in the Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design, part of the College of Education and Human Sciences, on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Flu shots

Poppy Massing, 11, gets vaccinated by Barb Martinez, a public health nurse at Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, during a vaccine clinic at Lefler Middle School, Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Coronavirus Bible

The Rev. Thomas Dummermuth started a project in quarantine to put together a handwritten Bible where people around Nebraska would write chapters of the Bible by hand. He was inspired by a church in his home county of Switzerland that had the idea. "It is beautiful work that people send in; some of it is just amazing," Dummermuth said.
Anti-mask rally

Demonstrators protest the mask mandate in front of the Capitol on Monday, Sept. 7.
No Football Saturday

Four-year-old Avery Rider and her brother Julian, 7, of Omaha play around with the Bob Devaney statue as they pose for pictures for their parents, Melissa and Aaron, on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Memorial Stadium. The family, who had tickets for the home opener that would have been Sept. 5, walked around the stadium, which had few visitors.
DMV lines

People wait their turn in a socially distant line outside the Department of Motor Vehicles' 46th Street office Monday, Aug. 31, the deadline to get registrations renewed.
UNL in-person class

University of Nebraska-Lincoln students attend a class in masks on the first day of in-person classes on Aug. 24. UNL announced Monday it plans to officially begin its spring semester on Jan. 25.
Iguana's Pub

Customers wait outside of Iguana's Pub on O Street on Friday, Aug. 21.
Farmers Market influencers

Jordan Gonzales walks through the Haymarket Farmers Market on Saturday, Aug. 22, handing out stickers, masks and wristbands encouraging others to wear masks and practice social distancing. Gonzales is part of a group of about 25 ambassadors involved in the "LNK is Greater Than" marketing campaign organized by Archrival. "We just want to give some positive reinforcement to those who are wearing masks, letting them know that they are doing the right thing," Gonzales said.
Remote learning

Belmont Elementary School first grade teacher Hailey Greene balances her iPad on her knees in order for remote learners on Zoom and students in the class to be able to follow along during a lesson on Aug. 21.
Weeping Water vs. Fillmore Central/Exeter-Milligan

Weeping Water players gather before a game against Fillmore Central/Exeter-Milligan on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at Doris Bair Complex.
City Council

Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department Director Pat Lopez attends a City Council meeting on her permanent appointment on Monday, Aug. 17. Ben Madsen, owner of Madsen's Bowling and Billiards, is pictured in the background at a hearing where he opposed her appointment.
First day of middle school

A double-pump hand sanitizer station built at the University of Nebraska's Innovation Campus sits outside the lunchroom at Dawes Middle School on Thursday, Aug. 13, the first day of school for middle school students.
Ukulele Class

Jeff and Marie King of Lincoln play with the class on the rock formation on Wednesday, August 12, 2020, at Stransky Park. For the past month, students in SCC’s Continuing Education’s Intro to the Ukulele class have been learning how to play the instrument via Zoom.
First day of school

Students at Wysong Elementary keep their distance from each other as they enter the lunchroom on the first day of school Wednesday, Aug. 12.
Pius X volleyball practice

Lincoln Pius X players listen to head coach Katie Wenz as she explains drills during the first day of fall practice Aug. 10, at Pius X.
Madsen's

The Lincoln Police Department on Saturday morning, Aug. 8, enforced the city health department's order to close Madsen's Bowling & Billiards, blocking all entrances to the business with police cruisers.
Flower shop

DeAnna Stewart loads bouquets of flowers into her car at the House of Flowers on Friday. Stewart has been frustrated by the state's unemployment help system while awaiting a decision on her claim.
City Council BLM protest

Caleb Petersen (right) uses buckets to drum alongside others during a rally outside of the County-City Building while the Lincoln City Council met inside on Monday, Aug. 3.
LPS Protest

Parent and Lincoln Public Schools teacher Ellen James (center), dressed as the Grim Reaper, holds a sign in front of the state Capitol on Monday, Aug. 3, as protesters called for more safety protocols before reopening schools.
Beach Boys

A couple sits in a row while wearing face coverings before the Beach Boys performance at Pinewood Bowl on Sunday, Aug. 2. Seating at the concert was set up to follow social distancing guidelines.
Rally and hearing

Terrell McKinney sits behind a row of marked off chairs during a hearing on bill LB1222 hosted by Sen. Justin Wayne at the state Capitol on Friday, July 31. Only 20 people were allowed into the hearing chamber at a time while all others had to wait outside for their turn
Lancaster County Super Fair

Noah Jelinek, 14, with Amazing Treasures 4-H, shows his American Plymouth Rock chicken to judge Tom Brubaker as the Lancaster County Super Fair got underway on Thursday, July 30. There were no rides or shows this year.
LPS board meeting

Kristi Molina, a Lincoln North Star High School teacher, holds a sign outside the Lincoln Public Schools offices ahead of a school board meeting Tuesday, July 28.
Meatpacking workers rally

Sen. Tony Vargas of Omaha speaks at a rally to support protections for meatpacking workers on the north steps of the Capitol on Tuesday, July 28.
Legislature

Floor debate on Monday, July 27, 2020, at the Nebraska State Capitol.
Lincoln Northeast graduation

Graduates wave and blow kisses to family members in the seats above during Lincoln Northeast's graduation ceremony at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Friday, July 24.
Gov. Ricketts address Legislature

Gov. Pete Ricketts puts his mask back on after addressing the Legislature on Friday, July 24.
Mask

Jane Erickson carries grocery items out of A Street Market on Tuesday, July 21. As of Monday, a health measure from the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department requires people to wear a face covering indoors with some exceptions, including for children under age 5.
Legislature resumes

Charlie Klingler (left) takes the temperature of Sen. Dan Quick as Quick prepares to enter the legislative chamber Monday, July 20, at the Capitol.
Girls basketball

Lincoln Northeast head coach Charity Iromuanya cleans basketballs with a disinfectant solution after players put them away during open gym practice at Lincoln Northeast on Friday, July 10.
Masked Archie the Mammoth

Archie the mammoth at the University of Nebraska State Museum is masked up on Thursday, July 9, 2020.
First Jury Trial in Four Months

Wearing a face shield, Lancaster County Attorney Erica Pruess (right) prepares for a case at the Lancaster County Hall of Justice on Thursday, July 9, 2020, during the first jury trial in four months.
Lincoln Community Playhouse

Amy Koepke as Prudence Purewater (left) and Marie Barrett as Hazel Hoochater perform Wednesday, July 1, during a rehearsal for the upcoming Parking Lot Plays at the Lincoln Community Playhouse.
The Kindler Hotel

Fabiola Delacruz cleans a seating area in the lobby of The Kindler Hotel on Tuesday before it reopens Wednesday, July 1.
Garth Brooks Drive-In Concert

Stephanie Carpenter and Justin Doyle dance the two-step as Silas Creek performs at the Garth Brooks drive-in concert Saturday, June 27, at the Lancaster Event Center.
Naturalization ceremony

Chief Judge John M. Gerrard of the U.S. District Court conducts a naturalization ceremony on June 22 at the Chief Standing Bear statue on Centennial Mall.
Urban Air Adventure Park

Allison Franks cleans equipment while wearing a mandatory face shield at the Urban Air Adventure Center on Saturday, June 20, 2020.
Juneteenth

Hundreds gathered for the Juneteenth celebration at the Lincoln Indian Center on Friday, June 19.
Gere Branch Library

Hillary Umland, a library service associate, grabs a book bundle for pickup at Gere Branch Library on Tuesday, June 16.
Music on the Move

Mascha Miedaner (left) takes in the performance of guitarist and singer Orion Walsh (center), who played a variety of songs from Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash to Oasis via "Music on the Move," a bicycle-powered stage driven by Dan Warren (right), which visited the East Campus neighborhood Saturday, June 13.
Pool Reopenings

Lifeguard Tyler Akins disinfects a chair at Fallbrook YMCA swimming pool on Thursday, June 11.
Judiciary Committee

Members of Legislature's Judiciary Committee spent two days in early June listening to speakers talk about systemic racism and law enforcement policies and practices during sessions in Omaha and Lincoln.
Bars Opening in Lincoln

Dan Hartong of Lincoln cools off June 1 with a beer at W.C.'s South Sports Bar, as bars in 89 of 93 Nebraska counties were allowed to open for the first time since March.
LPS Teachers Retirement

Longtime East High football and baseball coach and Scott Middle School teacher Bill Kechely waves to a well-wisher at his drive-by retirement party May 28.
Holmes Lake Manor Horse Visit

Having grown up with horses in Glenwood, Iowa, Edwin Johnson was happy to see Jewel, a 30-something Arabian mare who made a visit to his window with owner Sheila Carroll of Lincoln in May at Holmes Lake Rehabilitation & Care Center.
Lancaster County Courthouse

A court security guard wipes the front door handle as someone enters the Lancaster County Courthouse on Friday, May 22.
Campgrounds

To maintain social distancing, officials have closed every other campsite at Branched Oak State Recreation Area.
Church Social Distancing

To help parishioners maintain social distancing, the altar society at St. Patrick's Catholic Church made ornate fabric dividers to block off alternate pews.
Children of Smithfield

Mariah Wailes (from left), Claudia Perales and Luis Sandoval rally in support of Smithfield workers in Crete on Saturday, May 16. "Estamos con ustedes" translates to "We stand by you."
Farmers Market

Shoppers walk through the Haymarket Farmers Market on Saturday, May 16. It's the first day the market has been open this season.
Parkview Christian Teacher Appreciation Day

The Parkview Christian parent/student community celebrated educators Wednesday, May 13, by decorating cars and doing a brief parade through the school parking lot for Teacher Appreciation Day.
Lincoln reopening

Eric Post, owner of The Normandy, serves customers Jane Williams (center) and Keith Larsen on the first day of dine-in service returning in Lancaster County on Monday, May 11.
Mother's Day

Doris Carbon is all smiles on Mother's Day when her family visits her by her nursing home window, including son-in-law Steve Bartels (left) and Corey Carbon, of Los Angeles on Sunday, May 10, at Legacy Retirement Community.
Lincoln Christian 2020 Seniors

Lincoln Christian senior Ally Korte (left), one of 52 graduates recognized by the school, talks with KC Orduna in May. Each senior had their name painted on the school's football field along with a yard sign featuring the portrait.
Test Nebraska site

CHI Health workers place a COVID-19 swab in a test tube while administering tests by appointment at a drive-thru Test Nebraska site at Lancaster Event Center on May 8.
Selfie wall

Amanda Russell of Firespring installs a mural May 7 at Bryan East that was designed by Jon Humiston of Umbrella Photo Booth. Another has been installed at Bryan West.
Drive-Thru Career Fair

Iyonna Clay hands out bags containing one-page documents from employers who are hiring, explaining what the company does, what jobs are available, and how people can apply during a drive-thru career fair Tuesday, May 5, at Gateway Mall.
Center for People In Need food distribution

Boxes of bagged fruit and other food items await distribution by staff of the Center for People In Need and Army National Guard personnel Tuesday, May 4.
Marathon void

The intersection of 14th and Vine streets, near where the Lincoln Marathon would have started this year, sits empty on May 3, 2020.
Drive-through parade

Residents and staff of The Windcrest on Van Dorn wave to decorated vehicles parading through the parking lot on Thursday, April 30. Family and friends of residents made a visit following social distancing guidelines to the assisted-living center, which has banned visitors during the coronavirus pandemic.
Masks For Truckers

Nebraska State Patrol Sgt. Les Zimmerman hands a package of surgical masks to a truck driver on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at the westbound I-80 weigh station. The masks were provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Department of Homeland Security as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hero Signs

CHI St. Elizabeth president Derek Vance places a sign outside a hospital employee's home Wednesday, April 29. The hospital planned to place 1,500 signs at employees' homes.
BikeLNK disinfecting

Lucas Anderson disinfects a bike at the BikeLNK station at 21st and Q streets Saturday, April 25.
Teacher and Staff Parade

Students wave to teachers and staff from their cars on Thursday, April 23, 2020, during a teacher and staff parade at St. John the Apostle School.
91-year-old released

Recovered COVID-19 patient Imogene Hostetler, 91, heads home from CHI St. Elizabeth accompanied by nurses Brittany McCoy and Patrick Kamphaus on Thursday, April 23.
Food Bank

Private 2nd Class Gary Mack (left) and Senior Master Sgt. Donald Dissmeyer unload food at a food distribution site Wednesday, April 22, at Lincoln High School.
Thank you

Hannah Elliott (from left), executive director of Woodlands at Hillcrest, joins volunteers from NRC Health, including Emily Wiebeck, Tess Kurtenbach and Emily Schweitzer, as they thank staff members showing up for work at the senior housing facility Wednesday, April 22.
Virtual City Council

People watch the live coverage outside the City Council chambers Monday, April 13.
Good Friday Music

Bob Milliken and Carol Milliken perform religious music for a gathering of neighbors on Good Friday, April 10, on Hunts Drive.
Masks on a walk

Martin and Darlene Weber wear masks as they stroll past Bishop Heights Park on April 10.
Watch: A timelapse of the mural at Saro Cider
Heroes sign

A "Heroes Work Here" sign shown outside the Lancaster Rehabilitation Center on Thursday, April 9, 2020.
Watch: Hand sanitizer rolls off Innovation Campus assembly line
No fun here

A playground closed sign is displayed in front of an empty playground Monday, April 6, at Pioneers Park.
Inverse Parade

A line of cars travels P Street during a drive-thru parade outside the Lincoln Children's Museum on Saturday, April 4.
Haymarket

An empty scene at the Railyard earlier this year.
Empty downtown

Sparse vehicle and foot traffic moves through downtown on O Street on Thursday, April 2, 2020.
Tower Square sign

Last week, a sign showing support for New York showed up in Tower Square in downtown Lincoln.
Billboard

A billboard calls for Lincoln residents to stay home during coronavirus pandemic.
Church services

Pastor Greg Bouvier delivers a livestreamed sermon in late March at Sheridan Lutheran Church. "We're trying to replicate service as it would be if you're here," said Bouvier. "Our theology of worship is not an individual thing. It's a communal thing. We want people to have a sense of that community."
WATCH: Celebrating a birthday with a parade
DoorDash

Derek Johnson, who delivers for DoorDash, leaves the downtown Qdoba with a customer's order on Friday, March 27.
StarTran Ridership

Wearing a mask for protection, Teri Stoppel waits for a StarTran bus at the Gold's Building in downtown Lincoln in March.
Simpsons in the windows

Replicas of Lisa Simpson and Homer Simpson watch the world pass by from the windows of a home near South 30th Street and Bonacum Drive on March 24. The owner said she had the figures in her basement and was attempting to spread a little cheer.
Drive-thru COVID-19 testing

Manager Jen Anderson (from left), registered nurse Claire Nalder and manager Tammy Fandrich set up the COVID-19 testing drive-thru March 24 at Bryan LifePointe.
UNL Beekeeping virtual class

Dr. Judy Wu-Smart, an extension and research Entomologist shows how to manipulate frames for better hive management as she's filmed live by lab technician Luke Norris during a virtual beekeeping class on Saturday, March 21, at the Entomology Hall on the UNL East Campus.
Lincoln Lutheran Online Teaching

Katie Bockelman teaches students world geography using Zoom on Friday, March 20, at Lincoln Lutheran School. The school has shifted to holding classes via Zoom with students at home.
Bourbon Theatre

The Bourbon Theatre marquee shares a reassuring memo with those who pass by on March 19.
Social Distancing

Best friends Lilly Bliven (top) and Eva Gutz wave to a passing UPS delivery truck, as they practice social distancing while talking to each other on walkie-talkies across the street from each other on Tuesday, March 17.
0 Comments