From LCM to heading to LSCO to study to become CNA’s include Seniors Gage Frazier, Isabella Nicholas, and Allyson Welch are working hard to achieve their certification.
The CNA Program is a state-approved training course preparing students for certification exams to be able to provide basic patient care under nurse supervision. The program covers skills like bathing, feeding, vital signs, infection control, and assisting patients with daily tasks, leading to an entry-level healthcare career.
“The students learn how to take vital signs and the normal ranges,” health science teacher Tara Parsons said. “It’s important that they know the normal ranges so they can identify when vitals are abnormal. They also learn how to ambulate, feed, and bathe residents. As CNA’s students are able to get a job right out of high school. They can work at a hospital, nursing home, or even a doctor’s office. Working in a nursing home, they are able to help residents with their day to day lives. It’s a very rewarding job. Students that take the CNA class this semester will be able to test in January or February. Students that take the CNA class in the Spring will be testing early summer.”
The students that are currently studying to become CNAs all became inspired by either experiences or even people to join the healthcare career.
“The person that inspired me to want to become a CNA student was my grandmother,” Frazier said, “Her teachings inspired me to want to help those in need.”
Welch has been volunteering at a local nursing home this school year.
“We usually help feeding the residents breakfast and then help them get ready for the day which can include dressing them and bathing them,” Welch said,” we also help get anyone up into their wheelchair that wants to leave their room an we make their beds so that it is nice when they get back. Once it starts getting close to 9:15 we head back to our teacher and leave. They have the same routine everyday so that is what my day usually looks like.”
According to Nicholas, her favorite part about the CNA Program is getting to take care of people, learning their stories, and meeting new people every day. Each student must drive themselves from LSCO to LCM for every class and make it back on time for their regular classes.
“It can be stressful at times,” Welch said,” Since the college I go to is around 20- 25 minutes from the school, I’ve had a good bit of time once getting to the school.”
Although the students make it seem easy, the CNA Program is challenging and keeps students on their toes.
“The most challenging aspect of the CNA Program for me is being able to control all my schoolwork for the CNA Program and LCM work,” Frazier said. “Their tests line up on the same day or just a few days apart, making it difficult to study and make great grades on every test.”
According to Nicholas, she has already been accepted into Lamar University in Beaumont. She will go into the nursing program to earn her RN then later on to earn her physician assistant degree.
“I would not be here today without the help of my family, friends, and girlfriend,” Frazier said. ”I am very grateful for all they have done and I made a promise to them to keep moving forward and to never stop learning, helping people, and inspire others.”
