During these stressful times, a physical defense from the havoc caused by the pandemic has become crucial. One approved approach is to wear masks, not just any mask, but preferably one that offers the highest level of safeguard — an N95. Other than full face military type masks, N95 masks offer the best protection available for health care workers.

The AUSON faculty came up with an idea that would offer protection to students, faculty and staff. “The proposal to provide masks was born out of the need for safety during clinicals and service events,” Professor Karol Renfroe said. “Some hospitals are beginning to increase safety requirements to allow us to come to the hospitals for clinical experiences. We all remember having to wear N95 masks when working with highly contagious patients (TB patients, etc.) who were in isolation for droplet precautions. And the current COVID-19 exigency warrants the same safety defenses to be adopted.”

AUSON has large numbers of people who need the highest level of protection offered by N95 masks. They must be fit-tested to ensure that the mask seals tightly to the face to prevent droplets from getting through to the wearer, and also to prevent any droplets from the wearer who may be asymptomatic but carrying the virus. With these requirements in mind, Renfroe reached out to AU Risk Management to seek fit testing possibilities. When she was pursuing options, pricing and details, Randy Boone from CarePoint Resources, LLC, contacted Dean Gregg Newschwander to offer their services (Southern Union and Tuskegee had used the services of CarePoint). CarePoint worked closely with Renfroe to arrange dates and specifics of getting this service provided for all nursing students, faculty, staff and clinical associates.

“After consulting with the Dean, Associate Dean Dr. Caralise Hunt, Clinical Coordinator Hope Carroll and Office Manager Linda Watkins concerning the cost of $50 per person, Carroll suggested the Nursing Development Team be engaged to provide assistance in engaging the school’s benefactors. We had a very short timeline, 3 – 4 weeks, to accomplish this,” Renfroe added.

When Nursing Development learned of the need, an on-line campaign was organized to inform alumni and friends of this challenge and urgent need for the students.

“An outpouring of support from the Auburn Family — to help keep nursing students safe was not surprising,” Dean Newschwander said. “The assistance was robust and prompt. Within a week, more than $15,000 was given by many alumni and friends to meet the match of $15,000 from a benefactor of the School of Nursing.”

CarePoint delivered on its pledge to fit. It scheduled five days at the school to have enough slots for everyone that needed to get fitted. An estimated 400 students, faculty, staff and clinical associates received masks. Each person who got tested received two properly fitted N95 masks.

We would like to thank all our donors for their extraordinary support. Their sponsorship provided the funds to keep everyone safe, especially these remarkable future Auburn nurses as they go out to the hospitals and learn to care for all patients during these unprecedented times.