Health Career Students Begin Clinicals

Emily Merkle
Design Editor

                Southeast Polk students enrolled in the health careers course (A class that prepares students to test for certification to be a nursing assistance) begin clinicals. Clinicals are held at Parkridge Specialty Care in Pleasant Hill, Iowa.

                Once students got back from winter break, they began learning skills that they would use in a nursing home facility. Students learned things from hand hygiene to bed baths.

                “It’s a great way to begin hands on experience in the medical field,” said senior Renee Stohr. She plans on a future in the medical field some day and getting her CNA is preparing her early.

                Not only is this experience to help getting into the medical field, but also is a change to self.

“It just makes me thankful for the small things I can do for myself because I know that there will come a day when we are going to need help with doing the little things just like the people I took care of at clinicals,” said senior Whitney Williams.

                Students have been divided into two groups of about 15 students each, the first group has clinicals Tuesday/Thursday from 2:30 to 9:30 and Saturday/Sunday 6:30 in the morning to 2:30 in the afternoon the last week of February. The second group has the same hours during the first week of March.

                After students come back from spring break, they will begin the advanced nurse aid class if they passed the general one. Students will go to a local hospital on the weekends of April to practice these more advanced skills in all areas.

                When reflecting on her experience Williams said, “the best thing about clinicals is when the people say thank you, and just to know that the smallest of deeds puts a smile on their face.”