AACN and Scrubin Uniforms Partner to Provide PPE to U.S. Schools of Nursing

WASHINGTON, DC, July 6, 2020 — Today, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and Scrubin Uniforms announce a new partnership, which will make it easier for schools of nursing to acquire the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needed for nursing students engaged in clinical coursework. Through this new initiative, Scrubin Uniforms has negotiated access to PPE specifically for AACN member schools, which can be customized to fit the specific needs of each program and practice site.

"Securing the necessary PPE to keep students safe while learning in the practice setting is a growing concern for schools of nursing," said AACN President and CEO Deborah Trautman. "By expanding our partnership with Scrubin Uniforms, AACN is helping to alleviate this concern by providing a turnkey solution for schools that will not deplete the supply of PPE needed for clinicians caring for patients with COVID-19."

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how nursing schools approach sending students into the practice setting to treat patients as part of their professional formation. Students working in acute care and community settings must take great care to protect themselves from contracting the virus, which includes donning Personal Protective Equipment or PPE, which typically includes face shields, masks, and gowns. More clinical sites are now requiring students to supply their own PPE in an effort to maintain the supplies needed by healthcare professionals on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19.

Through this new partnership, AACN member schools will gain exclusive access to PPE supplied by Scrubin Uniforms, one of the nation's leading suppliers of healthcare apparel. Scrubin Uniforms will create customized web portals for participating schools, which will allow students and staff to easily order the PPE and apparel needed to practice at various clinical training sites. AACN member schools will work directly with Scrubin Uniforms to develop an online ordering system, which will be accessible directly from each school's website and will feature the exact items needed for on-site training at hospitals and other settings. Participating schools will receive, at minimum, a 15% discount off the lowest advertised price.

Schools interested in finding out more about this opportunity and scheduling a demonstration call are encouraged to visit aacn.scrubin.com/home. For more information, contact Matt PaneGasser at mattp@scrubin.com or Robert Rosseter at rrosseter@aacnnursing.org.