Bailee O'Brien and Morgan Pherigo
Twenty OHS students recently completed a course where they gained practical nursing experience that could lead to employment opportunities and a future career.
Students just completed Nursing Essentials I, a course offered through Indian Hills Community College taught in the ICN room at Ottumwa High School. The course provides students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to function as a nurse’s aide. The course includes 45 hours of lecture and 30 hours of supervised clinical experience in a long-term care facility and meets the minimum requirements of the Iowa Department of Health, Inspections, and Appeal Division.
Seniors Morgan Pherigo and Bailee O’Brien were part of the group who recently completed the course. Not only did they earn three credit hours, but upon completing the skills and written tests, they will be certified nurse’s aides and can work.
Pherigo already had plans to pursue a nursing degree. She has been accepted at Mt. Mercy College in Cedar Rapids. O’Brien took the course to find out if it was something she was interested in. “I realized I really liked it,” she said. “It was a good opportunity. You don’t have to wait until college to find out if you’re interested.” She plans to attend Indian Hills and pursue a degree in a field where she can help people.
Both students took Medical Terminology in the fall and plan to take Nutrition this spring. While those courses are not required for the CNA certification, both students felt they benefited from having the background knowledge prior to taking Nursing Essentials.
The clinical experience was eye-opening and rewarding for both students. Every Friday for four weeks, students worked from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in a local nursing home. Dressed in medical scrubs and under their teacher’s supervision, they performed the duties of a CNA. They enjoyed meeting the residents and being able to help with their daily needs. “The patient’s all have different personalities,” said O’Brien. The best part for her was being able to brighten their day. “Many don’t have family near so it is good to visit with them,” she said.
Some experiences were more difficult. On Pherigo’s first clinical day, she took care of one patient who died later in the day. “It was sad,” she said.
But other patients make them smile, like the one who drinks Mountain Dew and watches “Criminal Minds.” He volunteered to let them practice some of their skills on him, like cleaning his dentures.
“It is a tough job,” said O’Brien.
Both students plan to spend the $130 to take the required tests so they can begin the job hunting process. They will gain valuable nursing experience that will help them in their future careers.
