CSU Channel Islands nursing students assist Ventura County Public Health

VENTURA, Calif. -- Cal State Channel Island nursing students are volunteering at Ventura County Public Health as more and more citizens begin to react to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nursing senior student Lilian Kozma has been volunteering at the Ventura County Public Health call center since March 16.

Kozma and other Nursing senior students have been using their taught skills to help out during this crisis.

It began when Assistant Professor of Nursing Charlene Niemi, Ph.D., R.N., was alerted that the County needed volunteers the weekend of March 14-15. Niemi asked her students to volunteer and also offered to count the volunteer work as clinical hours.

Dr. Niemi says the volunteers multitask often, they offer help calm the nerves of people who are very worried and scared during this time.

Volunteers go on the CDC website to keep themselves updated with any changes.

Kozma says the experience she gained was valuable and multi-dimensional.

Since March, Cal State Channel Islands has transitioned its instruction online.

The University has also postponed their commencement ceremony to another date later this calendar year.