Last week, students from the Nursing program participated in a fit testing for N95 masks. Due to the pandemic, our clinical partners have requested that our nursing students wear N95 respirator masks. A N95 mask filters out 95% of airborne particles which include bacteria and viruses. As frontline workers, the face-fitting mask worn must be tested to ensure accuracy of the fit. This can take place once a year or more often if the mask model is changed.

How the fit testing was made:

• To begin, we give the students a N95 mask (NIOSH approved) to put on, then we place a hood over their head.
• Once they’re comfortable, we spray a saccharin mist into the hood via a small circular opening in the front.
• The wearer must move their head in four different directions and recite a short poem or sing the alphabet (students enjoyed this part).
• At the end of the test, we ask the students if they can taste anything (bitter or sweet).
• According to their answer we would pass them or resize the mask and test again.