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INDIANAPOLIS — Students at the Pike Career and STEM Center are getting real-life experience that will allow them to get a job right after high school.
The Certified Nursing Assistant Program is popular among students looking to get the first taste of a career in nursing.
Students learn the nursing basics, including the 72 skills outlined by the Indiana Department of Health CNA curriculum. Along with the high school and college credits, they also earn a certification that allows them to get a job right when they graduate.
Students also go work with community partners where they take care of real residents in the long term care settings.
"So they'll learn some basic skills with activites of daily living, up to vital signs, helping residents get dressed, up to feeding them, observing their skin," Instructor Rene Walker said.
And there are plenty of jobs available in the field right now, according to Walker.
"Right now there is a really big shortage in nursing, When school starts day 1 there are people that are calling me asking me how many students we have because they are looking for CNA's all across the city. And not only do they get a CNA certification, they get a CPR certification also," Walker said.
