Working outside the classroom gives Nursing Assistant students an edge

The students work in small groups at three local facilities

Tatiana Washington always thought she wanted to work in pediatric medicine. It’s one thing to believe, but it’s another to be certain.

Washington, a senior from Woodlands High School in Greenburgh, has gained that certainty while logging clinical hours at Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla as a member of the Certified Nursing Assistant program at Southern Westchester BOCES

“This has made me want to go into pediatrics because I’ve really loved the experience,” Washington said. “A lot of people who are going for jobs won’t be able to say they’ve done this. Not only has this been a great experience, this will go on my résumé and give me an edge.”

The CNA program, which returned to the Center for Career Services last fall and is taught by instructor Glenda Pollard, has been busy the last two months as students have begun earning their first experience working with patients. Groups of 4-6 students have spent multiple days each week at either Blythedale, The Knolls in Valhalla, or Bethel Nursing & Rehab Center in Ossining.

All three facilities offer different experiences, but students are learning similar skills. They’ve been taught proper procedures for entering a patient’s room and working with a patient. Their tasks have included transitioning patients to new rooms and helping with their dressing and grooming.

“It’s a huge difference from last year when we were only working on mannequins,” said Alexa Gallego, a senior from New Rochelle, who works at the Knolls under the guidance of Joyce Sweeney. “Now, we are working with real people and that gives you insight into how you have to work with different people.”

“People are different, and we are encountering different personalities,” said Yrindy Timal, a senior from White Plains. “It’s been different than what I expected, but I really like it. This is something I can now see myself doing in the future.”

The experience doesn’t just give the students an opportunity to learn and perfect new skills; it allows them to consider whether patient care is something they foresee as a career.

“At Blythedale, we have worked with some really nice kids so far and you can learn a lot by caring for them,” said Sashel Delarosa, a senior from New Rochelle. “We’ve earned great experience, and it’s made me realize I want to work in the pediatrics field.”