WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., July 26, 2021 — West Liberty University nursing students created a podcast this summer to encourage their peers to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

“My students in the community clinical rotation came up with the idea to create a podcast and share their thoughts on getting immunized,” explained Dr. Barbara Kulpa, assistant professor of Nursing.

The students who narrate the podcast are all second-degree seniors, meaning they are enrolled in the RN to BSN program. They graduate in December.

The podcast fulfills the clinical class requirement that asks students to create and instruct a teaching project on their own, according to Professor Kulpa.

“There is a great need for young people to be vaccinated against COVID and this podcast encourages other students to get the shot, and protect our campus community and others against this disease,” Kulpa said.  

Because it is peer–to-peer education, the hope is that it will be more effective for those still hesitant to get the vaccine.

Students addressed common COVID-19 myths like:

• If you’ve had COVID, you don’t need to get a vaccine.
• The vaccine affects fertility.
• Side-effects of the vaccines are dangerous.
• The vaccine changes your DNA.
• The vaccine contains a microchip.
• Rapidity of the development of the vaccine means it’s not safe.

Listen Below:

Next Thursday, the second group of senior RN-to-BSN nursing students will address the topic of another type of public health concern, the flu.

“My second group of students will share information on how important it is for students to not let their guard down in regards to the common flu, especially as the flu season starts,” said Kulpa.

“I’m pleased with the result of this group of nursing seniors and their community outreach to educate their peers on public health during this time of pandemic. It is vital as we approach the fall return to in-person classes and sporting events to encourage everyone to get vaccinated. They performed a valuable lesson that is sure to help them in their professional roles.”

Housed in the Campbell Hall of Health Sciences, WLU offers the accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree for high school graduates, the BA/BS to BSN degree and a RN-to-BSN degree program for Registered Nurses with an associate degree or diploma who are currently licensed or eligible for licensure and want to earn a bachelor’s degree.

For more information, please visit westliberty.edu/nursing or call Nursing Department in the College of Sciences at 304.336.8108.