Monday, July 15, 2024
Within Gatesville High School there are several programs put in place for students that guide them in pursuing future careers.
One of those programs happens to be the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program, which is under the umbrella of the Career and Technology Education (CTE) courses.
When participating in the CNA course, students are given the opportunity to obtain certification upon completion of the program at no cost to them. This can provide students with credentials that will benefit them in securing employment during high school or following graduation.
The certification process is comprised of two tests, which include a multiple-choice exam and a clinical skills exam.
The multiple-choice exam covers topics like infection control, communication, safety, and basic nursing skills. The skills test covers activities of daily living for residents, which include handwashing, bedpan handling, catheter care, communication, measuring vital signs, oral care, and more.
High school nurse Tori Cummings, LVN, leads the program and guided each of her 11 students in passing their exams and obtaining their certification with a 100 percent passing rate.
Senior Grace Carothers is one of the students who passed her exam with flying colors.
She explained that every other day the entire class went to the nursing home as a group to do clinicals together.
“The training were days filled with clinicals and some days spent studying in the classroom,” she said.
After Carothers acquired her CNA certification, she began working at Hillside Medical Lodge, and she said that she loves it.
While reflecting on her experience in the CNA program, she expressed, “The best part was the bonds I made with all of my residents.”
