The ‘New Norm’ Created Virtual Classrooms; Appreciative Students Share Their Thanks

When COVID-19 changed the in-person, campus learning environment last month, Chamberlain University colleagues, students and instructors swiftly transitioned to an online platform to continue providing unparalleled education. And students—many of whom graciously Stepped Forward to assist with the pandemic—became resilient with the change, appreciate of the seamless conversion.

For nearly two months now, Chamberlain faculty has engaged students through self-paced programs and alternative clinical experiences by utilizing online tools and unconventional methods to further educate, empower and embolden diverse healthcare professionals who are advancing healthcare. 

Inspiring Words

Many colleagues reached out to staff to provide encouraging words during this unprecedented time. “The challenge of going to virtual teaching triggered our nursing reflex of responding. Our work-life changed drastically; your work time got extended much farther than the usual eight hours,” Mary Ann Garcia, DNP, RN, associate dean of faculty, academic affairs, told her Miramar colleagues.

“As the number of COVID cases grow, so do the number of email messages in your inbox. The stress of uncertainty did not hold you back. You keep pressing forward and functioning at your best. You have embraced the discomfort of the new norm. The separation makes us all closer to one another and stronger as a team. This transition has changed our version of ‘doing work’ and ‘being at work,’ but you still are making the best of it. In education, you—our faculty—are our front liners. Without you and your commitment to work with our students, we all would not be here, and for this we all say Thank You. You are our heroes!” 

Accolades for the Transition

Faculty continued to step up and students not only noticed but gave praise:

• “You have done an excellent job to keep us calm and on track with our assignments… I know all Chamberlain staff members are trying day by day to make this all work out for us and I have to say you guys are doing an amazing job.”—Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) student Delilah Gibbons
• “The entire going virtual has been an amazing experience. Advisors and professors are very responsive and I love that it feels like we’re doing exactly what we were doing in class. I appreciate everyone’s efforts at Chamberlain to keep us safe and keep classes and clinicals going.”—BSN student Brittany Greene
• “I have seen a lot of resilience for academic programs turning to a virtual setting—just like I saw with MPH.”—Jessica Hudson, MD, Chamberlain's Master of Public Health (MPH) student and Ross University School of Medicine alumna 
• “Thank you for the effort and immediate action to keep us going. Compared to other schools that took a few weeks to find a solution, Chamberlain was on the spot,” said Sherlie Jean Gilles, an MPH student who also applauded her instructor— “I just want to say thank you for everything… I could not ask for more. You were extremely patient with us. You were available when we needed you. Your door was wide open for us.”

Adtalem Praise

Even students from other health institutions across the Adtalem Health portfolio shared their experience and appreciation:

• “I want to post a huge shout out to all the administrative staff, professors and clinicians who have been helping us and our pets that are leaving the island. They have truly been working hard to make sure we have everything we need.”—Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) student 
• “There are so many people at Ross right now trying to maintain a sense of normalcy for us as we navigate something that has never happened before. I’d like to give a shout out to all those people who are working tirelessly for us.”—RUSVM student 
• “I applaud you for handling all of this technology and making the adjustments necessary to finish the semester. It’s definitely harder for y’all than it is for us.”—Medical Education Readiness Program (MERP) student

One BSN student from the Chamberlain Irving campus who will graduate this fall, Tyra Blackshear-Mosley, a 16-year U.S. Marine veteran, said adapting to new situations comes naturally. “The switch could really have been traumatic. But it was a seamless transition. I’m glad they implemented everything online, even clinicals, because now I get to learn and spend quality time with my son.”

By Heather L Hurtado