Area students celebrated the end of their job placements with a barbeque at the W.R. Keir Care Centre July 21 and Recreational Therapist Bill Knudsen says having them assist with the program has been invaluable.
“They [student’s] have been studying nursing in school all year and now they got to see the other side of care, the social and emotional aspects and I believe it was a great growing experience for them,” Knudsen said, adding the placements enabled students to develop inter-personal repertoire with their clients.
“I think it helps a lot with the residents and we really appreciate their help. It’s a real positive, in my opinion, to be involved with a group like this,” he said.
Edna van Niejenhuis, instructor assistant with the Norquest College Health Care Aide (HCA) program, agreed.
“All of these students took the health care aide program during their school year and were done in-class instruction in June. They had one month of placement where they learned how to work in the nursing home setting, using the actual skills they have been taught,” van Niejenhuis said, adding seven of the 22 students participating in the program are from Barrhead.
“These kids came from Westlock, Barrhead, Mayerthorpe, Swan Hills and even, in one case, Fort Assiniboine. They all enjoyed it and I think it is a wonderful program,” she said.
van Niejenhuis said students were involved in round-the-clock care with Keir Care residents.
“They had to take care of their clients from the moment they woke up until after lunch. Obviously the first few days they [student’s] weren’t doing much but their duties steadily increased through-out the three-week duration of their placements,” she said, adding having the students at the centre was a highlight for the residents.
Resident MaryAnne Hopley agreed.
“They did an excellent job,” she said.
For her part, 18-year-old HCA student Darby Grove, from Fort Assiniboine, said she is glad to have been a part of it.
“It was an amazing experience. This is what I want to do with my life and I hope to pursue my Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in the fall. After that, I want to earn my Registered Nurse (RN) license as well,” Grove said.
Knudsen said the barbeque is part of the regular summer program.
“Basically what we’re trying to do is make it as home-like as we can for our residents. There’s nothing better, I think, than getting out and enjoying the sunshine, the nice weather and socializing while you’re having some good food in the summer,” he said, adding barbeques like this happen every Friday.
An HCA provides direct care, personal assistance and support to patients who are elderly, disabled, and acute or chronically ill people who require either short-term assistance or ongoing support.
To be involved in the program, students must be 19 or younger, have English 10-1 or 20-2 as a minimum and must register with NorQuest College.
According to Karen Fischer, dual credit and school expo coordinator with Pembina Hills Public Schools, students must also provide a personal information check and pay a $400 performance bond.
“We currently have eight spots available for the 2017-18 Health Care Aide co-hort. We have students from St. Mary’s, RF Staples and Barrhead Composite registered for this coming year, but there is still room. If you’re interested, get in touch with us,” Fischer said.
