The nursing program has recently started their clinicals and students are doing their best to prepare themselves. The program is one of the hardest here at the school and it pushes students to strive for their best in preparation for future jobs in the healthcare field.
“Our health science program introduces students to the foundation of health care. They are taught about the different professions and what their roles and scopes of practice are within different healthcare settings,” head of the nursing program Victoria West said.
The format of the class is someone different compared to the regular core classes and even some of the more advanced classes. The program really kicks off for students around their junior year, as they progress through the course to get their CNA certification at the end of their senior year.
“As juniors, students will study the principles of healthcare, regarding concepts, history, skills and qualities of healthcare professionals.Once students have the foundation, we start to build upon that knowledge. The second semester of their junior year, students will begin medical terminology, which is the introduction to the study of the structure of medical words and terms. In tandem, students will be learning about the human body systems,” West said.
The class is centered around preparing students for their futures in the healthcare field and many students are taking advantage of this opportunity. They participate in clinicals where they spend most of their time at elderly care facilities.
“Right now we are going to clinicals and were taking care of old people. We have to express a lot of empathy to them which is something you definitely have to use in the real world,” senior nursing student Andrea Vasquez said.
The students learn all the necessities for the basic foundation of the career. Students are able to take and apply the knowledge they learn at clinicals and use it in other real world situations. However not only are the students learning they are provided with an environment that promotes growth and comfort.
“I love getting to share my passion with our youth. I view Nursing as Art. Art is a range of human activity resulting in a product. Not only do I apply this to my patients that I care for, but to my students. I appreciate building relationships that will extend beyond their high school course, into mentorship. I love that we have a classroom where I can share knowledge through creative projects or sharing my nursing stories,” West said.
The program is also looking to kick off HOSA, future health professionals in order to raise money for their state conference. The club is looking for new members who are students willing to have outreach meetings covering the healthcare profession.
“It's a new club trying to get new members, the fee is 17 dollars to join, you can be in Bio-med or just in the walker career center. Basically the goal is to just figure out health professions. We all just group and do meetings, we're trying to raise money for the state conference,” Senior nursing student Natalie Perez said.
Students are given high expectations but some flourish under the stress. The program is always looking for new students to join and take part in building their medical skills.
“During clinicals, we’re doing a lot of talking to patients and getting to know them more and just helping them in general. I don’t talk much so it really helped me get out of my comfort zone,” senior nursing student Miriah Campos said.
Overall, students are expected to provide practical care not only at clinicals but in future in other real world situations. Students continually practice their care and hope for passing their CNA exam.
“My favorite part about being in the class is the other students since we're really close. I love that we can come in and talk and not be judged. This class is a really great experience and if you take it for all that it's giving you you will have a great experience but if you're not willing to accept different angles and point of views then this is not the class for you,” senior nursing student Jakira Woodson said.