+ Focus on Health
Safety First
Regis nursing students join Century Bank to tackle COVID-19 pandemic
By Kristen Walsh
When Century Bank Chairman, President, and CEO Barry R. Sloane made the strategic decision to hire nurses amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he reached out to Regis President Antoinette M. Hays, PhD, RN.
“I certainly never thought I would have a bank calling me to recruit nurses,” says Hays. “But this pandemic is setting a new precedent. I applaud Century’s innovative and strategic move that will help keep people safe as we reopen. And I am humbled that Barry called on Regis nursing students for this important work.”
Sloane is enlisting Regis nursing students to help keep their employees safe as the bank joins other Massachusetts businesses to reopen. The position includes screening employees, visitors, and vendors who enter the company’s headquarters in Medford, Massachusetts.
Nursing major Karina Gomes ’21 began working at Century Bank in May. “I was interested in applying because although I worked as a nursing assistant in a pediatric hospital before, I wanted to expand my experience and be more on the front lines of the pandemic. I am a nursing student during one of the most unprecedented times and I feel this is a learning opportunity, albeit during a difficult and scary time.”
Gomes first heard about the program from Donna Glynn, PhD, RN, ANP, associate dean of pre-licensure nursing in Regis’ Young School of Nursing.
“I saw this unique program as an important opportunity for our nursing students to contribute during the pandemic,” Glynn says. “The students have been trained in patient assessment and will provide a valuable resource in the community.”
In addition to providing health screenings, Gomes looks forward to the teaching aspect of the position. “Century Bank employees can express any concerns or ask any questions they have during the COVID-19 crisis. There is a lot of false information surrounding the virus, so people can get overwhelmed with information overload. I want to be someone these employees can trust.”
When she started nursing school, Gomes never imagined she would be providing these kinds of services at a bank headquarters. “I was shocked to see the words ‘Century Bank’ and ‘nursing assistant’ together. But this could be the future of nursing amid the pandemic: Businesses unrelated to health care may be needing nurses on the front lines for our new normal.”
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