Penn Nursing Updates: Week of November 23

Dear Penn Nursing Students,

Please see important information below.

Information Updates

  • Holiday Reuniting with Family and Loved Ones: Earlier this month, Associate Provost and Chief Wellness Officer, Benoit Dubé, MD, sent a message to all Penn students regarding holiday travel. This detailed email communication included the following information which serves as an important reminder to all Penn Nursing students.
    • As we navigate this holiday season under these new rules of engagement, it is important to remember that we are all responsible for following first line protective measures of masking, physical distancing and hand washing—on campus and elsewhere.
    • Please remember that even if you have a negative test prior to leaving for the holiday, you may still be infected and contagious.
    • A negative test does not replace proper personal behavior and eliminate the need to follow public health guidance of mask use, physical distancing, and frequent hand washing.
    • Please be mindful of family members with chronic conditions or who are immunocompromised, and to take every precaution to reduce COVID-19 transmission or exposure to family, please use universal masking (e.g. wear a mask at ALL times indoors and outdoors).
  • Dear Pandemic: Established in 2020, Dear Pandemic is a website operated by an interdisciplinary all-female team of researchers and clinicians (some from Penn Nursing) with expertise including nursing, mental health, demography, health policy/economics, and epidemiology. Their mission is to educate and empower individuals to successfully navigate the COVID-19 information overwhelm. Read more about Dear Pandemic online.
  • Philadelphia announces new “Safer at Home” restrictions to fight rising COVID-19 cases: In response to rising COVID-19 cases in Philadelphia, the City and Department of Public Health have announced changes to restrictions on businesses, events and gatherings, and other activities to help flatten the epidemic curve, prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed, and reduce the number of COVID-19 deaths. Read more about this update online as well as Governor Wolf’s recommendations for colleges and universities.
  • COVID-19 Dashboard: In order to protect students, faculty, staff, and the community surrounding Penn, the University of Pennsylvania has developed a strategy for weekly screening for COVID-19 for those with sustained presence on campus in group settings. To view this updated report, visit the online dashboard.

 

Upcoming Events/Activities

  • Wednesday, November 25 (& ongoing) Weekly Virtual Financial Aid Student Hours: As we begin to think about the spring semester, all nursing students are still invited to sign on with the Financial Aid team each Wednesday this Fall. The team welcomes all inquiries, and plans to respond ‘generally’ to protect personal information (specific follow up will be scheduled with a 1:1 appointment). Please join us at 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. via Bluejeans.
    • Please save this information for your quick reference.
    • Meeting URL - https://bluejeans.com/8064576986?src=join_info
    • Meeting ID: 806 457 6986
    • Want to dial in from a phone? Dial one of the following numbers:
      • +1.408.419.1715 (United States(San Jose))
      • +1.408.915.6290 (United States(San Jose))
    • Enter the meeting ID and passcode followed by #

 

  • Wednesday, December 2 (& ongoing) - Library 101: Are you working on a paper and need to quickly get your hands on books, articles, or other media from the Penn Libraries? Discover the best way to request something for pick up at Van Pelt Library, or have it mailed directly to your door, or to receive a PDF scan of an article or book chapter. Library 101 will make it easy and has the answers for you. For more information or if interested in attending, register online here.
  • Saturday, December 5 - PennDemic 3 (Virtual edition): PennDemic is an annual interprofessional simulation addressing the circumstances around an actual or impending emergency or disaster. The event runs from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. EST. to allow our west coast students to participate (without losing sleep!). Students can register online here or contact debecker@nursing.upenn.edu for more information. This event is free of charge and open to students from all schools/majors at Penn.
  • Upcoming CAPS workshops for Nursing students only
    • Wednesday, December 2 @12pm EST – Vicarious Trauma: Link to RSVP
    • Wednesday, December 9 @12pm EST – Stress Management: Link to RSVP 

The Office of Academic Affairs will continue to send regular email announcements which can be found archived online. As always, we are available for virtual appointments or by email. You can find a full listing of departmental contacts online here.

While I know that this has been an unprecedented and challenging eight months for all of us, my hope is that we each take time over the next few days to reflect and be thankful for the things that matter most in our lives. Like many of you, I am missing the in-person connections with family and friends, but these public health measures are necessary to protect the most vulnerable. The pandemic has challenged us to stay connected in new ways with those we care for and love. I wish you and your families a safe Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,

 

Christina M. Costanzo, EdD
Assistant Dean for Admissions & Academic Affairs