Tomorrow’s Healthcare Heroes Ann Pomeroy Editor-in-Chief @PomeroyAnn
CNA Students uniquely adapt to the pandemic
T
he demand for healthcare workers across the nation is at an all time high as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on. NHS is lucky to host an academic pathway into the medical field for those interested in pursuing healthcare work. The medical science pathway includes a wide array of classes from Fire Science and Emergency Medical Technician training through Hutch Community College (HCC) to Sports Medicine and Health Science. In the midst of these classes is the highly sought after CNA class through HCC, due to its direct correlation to the workforce. This class is aimed at teaching high school and college age students the fundamental knowledge of the aging process with emphasis on meeting the physical needs requirements of geriatric residents of health care facilities. With restrictions from the pandemic making many aspects of the class even more challenging, CNA teacher Ginger Jones has made every effort to keep her students engaged and positive throughout the difficult and unprecedented times. “I love to laugh and have fun,” Jones said. “I truly believe that as caregivers we can bring joy and light to our residents while accomplishing mundane tasks. I can teach you all the proper ways to take care of someone, however, until you let your guard down to allow your empathy to shine through you’ll never truly understand what making a difference in our residents lives can be.” Senior Lindsey Antonowich decided to take CNA this semester with the intention of continuing her medical studies after the conclusion of the class. According to Provo College, obtaining your CNA certification is a great way to enter the healthcare industry and begin your journey toward nursing. Some of the advantages to becoming a CNA while still in high school is that you can work part time while studying and then start working full time as soon as you finish school. “[I decided to take CNA because] I wanted a job that was healthcare related to see what I wanted to work as in the future and it’s a good job to save up for college,” senior Lindsey Antonowich said. A typical day in Jones class consists of a large variety of activities. Students learn ethics, communication, normal aging body system functions, nutrition, diseases, observation skills, documentation and personal care skills throughout the course. One of Jones’s favorite activities for her high school students is a Friday activity called “Spin the Urinal.” This game consists of spinning an actual urinal and teaching the rest of the class what you know about a specific topic that you have drawn out of the urinal. “We do not sit still much in my class,” Jones said. “We are always interchanging the necessity of the reading portion with the fun part, hands on skills, open discussions and lots of laughs.” In order to complete the class, like any ordinary high school student, CNA students will have to complete a final test. In addition to this, CNA students must pass both theory and clinical portions of the course according to the NHS course catalog. Clinicals are typically performed in the nursing homes working side by side with a CNA of that facility but due to COVID, clinicals are currently being performed in a simulated lab. Meaning that students practice their knowledge on each other and dummies. “When speaking of the clinical portion of this course, this is the FUN part,” Jones said. “We get to meet together outside of school hours and actually put into practice all of the things we have learned in class. This is when it all comes together.” Jones describes a typical day in the nursing industry with the possibility to be quite chaotic. One may start their day on the nursing floor with a set amount of daily tasks to be performed, however, when an emergency arises it pauses the day until that resident has NEWS WINTER 2021 had proper treatment. This theory rings true for many aspects of life
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