Southwest Technical College offers many courses that high school students can take. Some of them are speech, psychology, sociology, or written communication. Students can also take a certified nursing assistant (CNA) course. In this course, students take a class where they take tests, do assignments, and even have clinical experiences that help them learn what they need to do and how to take care of patients or residents. Many students from Potosi High School have taken this course and are now working as CNAs. Two of those students are Haylie White and Delany Mckillip, both juniors at Potosi.
White said that she liked that the classes were independent, and overall it was pretty easy. However, she did say that the tests were confusing and difficult. Mckillip said there was a lot of homework that had to be done and it was more stressful than regular school. She also stated that she had to study a lot more for the tests because they were much harder. Students that take this course have to learn how to care for patients, how to sanitize correctly, and proper procedure, among other things. The grading was also more strict than high school grading.
There are many reasons why people would decide to take this course: they want to go into the medical field or they want a good-paying job. White decided to take the course because she wants to eventually get a career in the medical field and to do that, having a CNA is very helpful. She also previously worked in a nursing home in the dietary department and thought a CNA would be a better fit for her. Mckillip also decided to take the course because she wants to go into the medical field eventually and thought that it would be a good job for her.
After taking the course and getting jobs as CNAs, Mckillip, and White both said that they would recommend taking the course. Mckillip recommends it for anyone who wants to eventually get a job in the medical field. White recommends it for everybody. She said it is a good job and well-paying.
Students can take a CNA course through Southwest Technical College. The assignments and tests can be stressful and difficult but the clinicals are much easier according to White and McKillip. It is a good course to take if you plan to join the medical field in the future or just want a good job.