Innovative Management of Nursing Student COVID-19 Cases and High-Risk Exposures

Background: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created significant disruption in higher education, especially in health science colleges where in-person and hands-on patient-facing learning environments are essential. Student monitoring and followup was an essential aspect of in-person learning for the fall 2020 semester. Method: Senior leaders and faculty in a college of nursing developed and implemented an innovative college-based COVID-19 management system to ensure real-time response to prolonged pandemic-related student absences. Results: Decisions made from this management system allowed leaders within the college to implement programmatic changes to ensure student and faculty well-being. Furthermore, the COVID-19 management system allowed for close student follow-up through phone calls with a faculty member to ensure student well-being. Conclusion: Monitoring helped ensure appropriate physical and mental health services were accessible to students undergoing quarantine or self-isolation while also fostering positive student satisfaction throughout their prolonged absences. [J Nurs Educ. 2022;61(4):217-220.]