Nursing students welcomed to health center

TORRINGTON – Community Health & Wellness Center recently welcomed four Northwestern Connecticut Community College senior nursing students for a portion of their final semester.

During the next few months, CHWC will provide clinical experiences for the seniors. The clinical rotation will enable the students to complete the Nursing Program’s required in-person clinical hours, according to a statement.

While at CHWC, student nurses will assist with the health center’s ongoing COVID testing, work with staff nurses, and take part in the COVID vaccination program once the center becomes a designated vaccine site, according to the center.

“These varied experiences in the community healthcare setting will provide students with a broad overview of the different types of opportunities there are in the nursing profession, beyond the hospital setting,” said Michelle Brady, CHWC’s Director of Nursing, who has previously taught nursing at NCCC.

NCCC’s Nursing Program is part of the Connecticut Community College Nursing Program, which is comprised of six nursing programs across the community college system. In 2020, Nursing School’s Almanac designated NCCC as one of the top U.S. Nursing Schools. In 2019, it was named Best Ranked Nursing Programs by RNCareers.org, according to the statement.

Jaclyn Vincent, Assistant Professor of Nursing at NCCC, contacted CHWC as a resource for clinical learning.

“As have most things, our students’ clinical experience through COVID was significantly impacted,” she said. “We thought CHWC would be a great alternative opportunity to give our students valuable experience in the setting of a healthcare practice. It’s a great partnership between the college and CHWC, and we are looking forward to future collaborations with the center.”

CHWC is located at 469 Migeon Avenue, Torrington, and 10 Center Street, Winsted, with the following satellite locations: FISH of Torrington, 332 South Main Street, Torrington; Sullivan Senior Center, 88 East Albert Street, Torrington; The Open Door Soup Kitchen, 160 Main Street, Winsted; YMCA Emergency Shelter, 480 Main Street, Winsted; Torrington Soup Kitchen, 220 Prospect Street, Torrington; and Oliver Wolcott Technical School, 75 Oliver Street, Torrington. To reach the center, call 860-489-0931, visit www.chwctorr.org and find them on Facebook.

CHWC / Contributed photo Marissa O'Brien, a nursing student at Northwestern Connecticut Community College in Winsted, is one of four students working at Community Health & Wellness Center in Torrington during her final semester.