WoRkFORCE
S b R-Cool Health u S r p c S am c By Aaron Ortiz
ND elementary and high school students scrub in to learn about health careers.
A GROUP OF STUDENTS FROM THE LANGDON AREA HIGH School are just beginning their day when one of their classmates collapses into a nearby chair. Kylie, a tenth-grade student, begins to complain of dizziness and shortness of breath. She is monitored by her teacher and fellow students as another student runs down the hall to call for an ambulance. A few minutes later, the EMTs arrive at the scene. The lead technician begins to question Kylie about medications, recent illnesses, and her breakfast that day. Kylie continues to feel faint, on the verge of passing out. Knowing whatever is happening to her needs to be examined and monitored by a physician at Cavalier County Memorial Hospital, the EMTs begin to strap Kylie onto a gurney. They continue to monitor her blood pressure and breathing, taking every precaution to make sure she is comfortable. The straps close in tight across her arms and legs. Kylie grimaces from the pressure applied by the straps. The gurney is raised back up to waist level of the EMTS as another student tries to comfort her friend. Just then, Kylie begins to crack a smile. The smile gives way to laughter, and soon the rest of the students, realizing she has been acting as part of a mock ambulance scenario, burst into laughter.
Langdon Area High School students take part in an exercise during Scrubs Camp.
30
NORTH DAKOTA MEDICINE Spring 2011