With coordination between the high school and NCK Technical College, students have been able to take one step deeper into the waters of nursing and taking special care of those in need.

The program itself is classified as Allied Health and is only allowed to be taken as a senior. This program allows students to go through certain trainings and then move one step closer to being a CNA by taking care of the elderly at the local resident’s home called Good Samaritan Society. This process can also be known as a clinical.

Before being able to practice CNA things at the residential home, many things had to be learned before doing so.

“I have become CPR certified, learned precautions for infectious diseases, different types of diseases and the affect they have on people, and how to help maintain the highest possible function with aging,” senior Morgan Boeger said.

Senior Brianna Koenigsman said they also learned how to care for the residents.

“We learned things like how to brush their teeth, comb their hair and bathing them,” Koenigsman said. “We also learned about the residents rights, privacy, how to take vital signs and how to take care of people with dementia.”

Boeger said they have done about nine clinical days this semester.

“We go from about 7:45 – 10:45 am and take care of the residents,” Boeger said. “CNAs in nursing homes are the people who have firsthand contact with the residents.”

Koenigsman said they help the residents to do lots of things.

“We help them to get ready for the day, bathe them, clothe them as well as help feed them,” Koenigsman said.

Seniors will take the allied program for a variety of reasons but most have direct connections with their futures and career opportunities.

“I got into this class mainly because I would like to have medical experience,” Boeger said. “I plan to go to medical school to either become a radiologist or surgeon and Allied Health gives me a good foot in the door.”

Koenigsman said she did Allied Health because she is interested in nursing but also just a little bit of a break from high school.

“This program gives me a hands-on experience but also gives me a break from high school and a little taste of college,” Koenigsman said.

As well as preparing for college, students who are in the allied health program said that it is going to be very helpful for the future of nurses and medical fields.

“I would recommend this class to anyone who has interest in going into nursing or wants to see if nursing is the path for them,” Koenigsman said, “Or if you simply just want to get out of school for half a day.”

16hbaxter@usd489.com