For some, it's a foot in the door to a health care profession.
For others, it's a way to earn above minimum wage while pursuing a college degree.
And for others, it's the answer to a dream, a vision, a hope to enter the healthcare field.
Junior and senior students from Pea Ridge High School accepted into the healthcare module of the charter school, Pea Ridge Manufacturing and Business Academy, spent their school days in clinicals last week, working "hands on" with residents of Ashley Health and Rehab, according to their teacher Elisha Escajeda.
"My grandma was a CNA for a really long time. She talked to me about it when I was younger," Kelsie Merritt said. "I didn't know I wanted to do that before now."
Dylan Kennedy wants to be a traveling nurse and combine his passions of travel and helping others.
"At first, it was kind of gross," Kennedy said of some of the lessons. "But then, going out Wednesday and seeing actual people -- putting faces to it -- it's not that bad."
"I have a medial history," Emily Austin said, explaining that she has had health issues that spurred her into wanting to help others. "I want to help people with that kind of situation."
All of the students will have completed their course work and their clinicals to be eligible to test for the CNA, certified nurse assistant, license this semester.
"I think it's really nice we can get all this done before college, and save a lot of money," Ashley Rouse said. "It's a neat opportunity."
"It's not just for saving money and stuff," Kennedy said. "We won't have to work as hard for that money while going to college and we'll have a higher job, a job that means something."
"We have a state mandated requirement for a minimum of 16 hours of clinicals, 90 hours all together -- clinicals and classroom," Escajeda said.
Students in the morning program include seniors Nikki Lusk, daughter of Stacey Hansen; Ashley Rouse, daughter of Karen VanScoy and Robert Rouse; Brittnee Sykes, daughter of Bob Sykes and Judy Bartlett; Emily Austin, daughter of David and Julie Austin, and Austin Hicks, son of Shawn and Cindy Hicks; and juniors Kelsie Merritt, daughter of George and Lorrie Merritt; Dylan Kennedy, son of Charlene Kennedy and Huey Kennedy; and Lexi Losey, daughter of Ed and Jo Losey.
These students work on their iSchool in the afternoons while another group of students is in class with Escajeda.
"This will help with their future career. They're learning medical technology and then, when they go on to any type of healthcare field, they'll not be afraid of the patients, they will have already put their hands on people," Escajeda said. "It helps them get over the hurdle of feeing comfortable with the patient."
Escajeda said she earned her CNA license and worked as a CNA before she became a nurse. She taught nursing at the University of Arkansas as a clinical instructor and uses the same methods at PRMBA. "I had a lot of students in college ... nursing school was the first time for them to take care of people, to touch people."
Each of the students expressed enthusiasm as they discussed what they're learning.
"This is so much better than just spending our last year just sitting around totally oblivious to what we're getting into," Kennedy said.
"It's a whole new world! It's more exciting," Emily said. "Oh! I really want to do this!"
Losey said she took pre-AP biology when she was a freshman. "This breaks it down and makes it more in depth."
"This pushes your comfort zone," Kennedy said. "I've had anatomy and physiology, but it didn't prepare for the procedures."
Rouse said she wants to be a physical therapist, a decision prompted by watching her father going through rehabilitation after an automobile accident. "I like learning about muscles and bones."
One girl wants to be a neonatal nurse. Another wants to be an interior designer, but thought she'd try this out and realized it was a good way to earn money for college. Losey said she wants to earn her registered nurse (RN) license in pediatrics.
"When I first joined, my eyes were set on cardiology and heart," Austin said. "My options are open. I'm going with the flow and will see what I enjoy."
"I've had a lot of fun. It's been better than I thought," Hicks said, explaining that his grandmother used to work in a nursing home and he wants to work his way up from a CNA to an RN.
In the programs at PRMBA, there is a lot of independent learning.
"We encourage critical thinking skills," Escajeda said.
"Some kids think it's blowing off and napping. It's not!" Losey said.
"They don't have homework because they work so hard here and some have jobs, too," Escajeda said, adding that in iSchool, students work at their own pace. She said some students have actually finished the entire curriculum for their junior year and at least one junior has actually begun working on the lessons for her senior year.
"I am very excited about the opportunities the health care pathway has opened for its associates," Charley Clark, PRMBA director said. "The CNA program has allowed our associates to get hands-on training as well as certification in an employment field that is in desperate need in northwest Arkansas.
"Mrs. Escajeda has done a wonderful job in setting up PRMBA as a clinical site. Her continued work with Mercy will help ensure the success of her program and associates.
"The associates in this first round of clinicals are very excited. If you see one around town, take the time to talk to them. They just light up when they start talking about it.
"This is just the first step into nursing for these associates. It allows them to start at an entry level position and then work their way up, all while in high school. It's great for their professional growth, as well as developing a strong work ethic."
So, if you see a PRMBA student napping, Losey says, it's not because they don't work hard, but because they worked extra hard and finished their course work.
Community on 02/18/2015