WHS Seniors Begin Journey Leading to Medical Careers
Four seniors are taking part in WMC's CNA course (clockwise from back left): HaiLie Davis, Alex Angerman, Makena Hammer and Grace Cano.
September 2016 – As last year’s senior class is busy settling into the college routine, four of Wrangell High School’s (WHS) current senior class, Alex Angerman, Grace Cano, HaiLie Davis, and Makena Hammer, started their college-level education a year early. These students are taking part in a year-long Certified Nurses Assistant (CNA) course offered specifically for WHS students by Wrangell Medical Center (WMC). The course will be worth 9 college credits and is recommended for anyone wishing to go into nursing studies.
This course follows the curriculum required by the state of Alaska’s Board of Nursing and includes 60 hours of classroom instruction and another 80 hours of skills and clinical experience. Students will attend lessons at WMC for two hours each morning under the guidance of Katrina Ottesen, RN. They are joined by Aria LaChapelle who is currently working as a Long Term Care Activities Aide at WMC.
CNAs are described by the Nursing Assistant Guides website as “gatherers of vital information about patients’ conditions”, information which is then transmitted to the nurses and doctors. Upon completion of the course, and passing the CNA licensing exam, local students will be ready to serve as ‘eyes and ears’ for doctors and nursing staff in a wide variety of situations.
“CNAs play an important role in the care of the resident,” states Ottesen, instructor for this course and a nurse at Wrangell Medical Center. “CNAs assist the residents with bathing and dressing, with ambulation and activities, they assist the resident with their meals, they escort residents to their lab and x-ray appointments and participate in their care conferences.”
A second CNA course will be offered this fall for adults wishing to earn their certification. “We are excited to be able to offer this course locally,” notes instructor Sue Nelson, RN, “not only will it make it possible for Wrangellites to enter the medical field; it also provides WMC with local staff – folks who are already familiar with the area and the people.” This second class will begin September 6th and run for six weeks and will include all of the elements of the high school course, but in a shorter timeframe. For more information about the course please contact Sue Nelson at WMC.
This course follows the curriculum required by the state of Alaska’s Board of Nursing and includes 60 hours of classroom instruction and another 80 hours of skills and clinical experience. Students will attend lessons at WMC for two hours each morning under the guidance of Katrina Ottesen, RN. They are joined by Aria LaChapelle who is currently working as a Long Term Care Activities Aide at WMC.
CNAs are described by the Nursing Assistant Guides website as “gatherers of vital information about patients’ conditions”, information which is then transmitted to the nurses and doctors. Upon completion of the course, and passing the CNA licensing exam, local students will be ready to serve as ‘eyes and ears’ for doctors and nursing staff in a wide variety of situations.
“CNAs play an important role in the care of the resident,” states Ottesen, instructor for this course and a nurse at Wrangell Medical Center. “CNAs assist the residents with bathing and dressing, with ambulation and activities, they assist the resident with their meals, they escort residents to their lab and x-ray appointments and participate in their care conferences.”
A second CNA course will be offered this fall for adults wishing to earn their certification. “We are excited to be able to offer this course locally,” notes instructor Sue Nelson, RN, “not only will it make it possible for Wrangellites to enter the medical field; it also provides WMC with local staff – folks who are already familiar with the area and the people.” This second class will begin September 6th and run for six weeks and will include all of the elements of the high school course, but in a shorter timeframe. For more information about the course please contact Sue Nelson at WMC.
