One of the concurrent enrollment classes taught at OHS is the Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) course. The class is offered through Riverland Community College, and with the new building, is able to be taught on the high school campus. This gives students interested in healthcare an opportunity for a head start and to gain their CNA certification.
The course is offered to sophomores, juniors and seniors interested in the medical field. The class teaches basic needs for patients, like how to exercise, bathe and feed them. There are different labs and tests throughout the semester which all lead up to a state test. The state test consists of a writing portion and a skills portion. Passing both parts will certify the students to be a nursing assistant.
Being a certified nursing assistant can be a stepping stone into other fields. Getting the certification in high school gives students a head start. Having work experience will make it easier to get into other programs and help with more job opportunities. This opportunity gives the chance for students to work in places like hospitals, nursing homes or in home care. Most CNA courses last about 4 weeks, so with the class being a whole semester is another chance to get more practice. Junior Lilly Martin said, “Because it’s a semester long class you get to learn at a slower pace rather than rushing.” Being hired as a CNA can also have other opportunities such as the workplace offering to pay for further education. Sophomore Addi Stowe said, “It’s a head start in our career. It helps us get places faster.” Most students in the class hope to continue their education in the medical field, this course helps set them up for success.
Having this offered as high schoolers gives students an upper hand compared to others who do not have the same opportunity. It gives students the chance to go through the course and see if it’s something they want to continue pursuing or realizing that it’s not what they want to do in the future. Even if students end up disliking the pathway, lifelong skills are taught that can be used in the future. Whether it’s for the student, a future family or taking care of others around. A huge advantage is that the course is free. That way, students do not spend thousands of dollars on something if they end up disliking it. Taking this course offers the chance to get experience at no cost.
CNA instructor Ms. Becky Wood said, “Having these kinds of alternative ways of learning is really beneficial, and I think it just sets you guys on the right path to hopefully be more successful and not having to fall into the trap of having huge student loan debts.” Being able to take this course helps students find a path and understand how to pursue it.
This course provides students with options beyond the traditional college education. It shows the importance of career exploration through hands-on learning, which can help spark interest in students while discovering their career paths. It takes a student’s interests and helps connect them with their academics to achieve a different level of success in the medical field.
Originally published in the January Print Edition
