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A group of Chisago Lakes High School juniors and seniors have a headstart on college and their careers after completing classes this quarter.

The 18 students in Stephanie Johnson's Introduction to Health Care Careers class held an open house at the high school last week to showcase their newly-learned skills.

The 15 seniors and 3 juniors - all girls for the first time in the course's eight-year history - are now qualified to take a state test to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).

The course includes 12 site visits and training in First Aid and CPR. Fairview Lakes Medical Center facilitates the class, which is also offered at North Branch and Forest Lake high schools. Students who complete the class are eligible for five college credits in Century College's nursing program.

Each CLHS participant completed 20 hours of clinical work at Parmly Life Points in Chisago City. Johnson said they started off working with a nursing assistant, but the final evening of work, were allowed to complete tasks on their own.

"They took care of the residents," Johnson said. This included taking and recording vital signs, feeding residents and nail and foot care.

Student Angie Gauvin thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

"We learned a lot. It tested our abilities first handedly," she said.

The Jan. 15 open house allowed students the opportunity to show off some of the 50 skills they learned during the course. Stations were set up for attendees to have their blood pressure checked, taste test different pureed foods, test their senses in a variety of limited health scenarios, experience working with a mechanical lift device and view a CPR demonstration with an AED training machine.

Most attendees seemed to appreciate having their blood pressure taken, but some were squeamish to try the pureed foods, especially the pale peach-colored concoction marked as "dinner."

Others enjoyed being hoisted out of a hospital bed by a mechanical lift and placed in a wheelchair, while some were amazed to put on the glasses covered with a thick coating to simulate the effects of cataracts. Popsicle sticks sewn to gloves were used to demonstrate difficulties that people with arthritis face.

At each station, students displayed posters with facts and figures relating to each activity.

Carla Norelius, with Fairview Health Services, said it is a great opportunity for students considering a field in health care. Overall, 97 percent of students completing the class state they will pursue a health care career.

"There are always a few who don't want to go into the field after this class," Johnson said. "But that's good too- they've figured out what they want."

Speaking with this class, Johnson has heard students express interest in becoming Registered Nurses, some specifically wanting to work as OB nurses, while others may pursue becoming doctors or surgeons.

The Intro. to Health Care Careers class is only offered once per year, so there is typically a waiting list. Johnson said school counselors assist in making the class list, starting with seniors getting priority, but GPA also is a factor in the decision.

None of the students in the class currently work or volunteer in the health care field, but now that they have completed the course, several have expressed interest in starting down the path of a lifetime career in the health care field.

Class participants were: Ashley Bower, Katy Boyer, Courtney Christy, Ashley Elumba, Ashley Frahs, Angie Gauvin, Mary Gramse, Laura Greene, Britni Harris, Krista Liebsh, Rachel Lundberg, Kirsten Mahoney, Ruzana McNally, Allison Mondville, Andrea Olson, Sarah Reese, Jamie Rivard and Chelsea Skarka.

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