Careers in the medical field have some of the highest projected growth rates and the field is growing faster than most other industries, according to recent reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For high school students interested in becoming nurses, Questar III’s Certified Nurse Aide program is a great place to start. The CNA program gives students a head start on the track to becoming a nurse, giving them the background they need to secure a job or pursue secondary degrees in nursing even before they graduate from high school.
Through classroom theory, laboratory and hands-on clinical instruction, students who complete the program are prepared and eligible to take the New York State Nurse Aide Certification Exam, which is required to work as a CNA. Students are provided opportunities to also earn CPR certifications through the American Heart Association.
High school students who graduate from the CNA program and pass the state certification exam have the possibility to enter the workforce immediately or continue their educations. The rigorous nature of the CNA program provides students with the tools they need for readiness along the P-16 continuum, with many students going on to nursing degree programs.
“Graduates of the program typically work as CNAs while they are going to college for nursing degrees,” said Sue McDermott, who is the instructor for the CNA program located at Hudson High School. “Most of them go to college to become registered nurses (RN).”
Students in the CNA program have the opportunity to earn two transferable college credits through an articulation agreement with Maria College. Furthermore, qualifying CNA students can earn CTE technical endorsements on their high school diplomas (visit the CNA program webpage for specific requirements).
Technical endorsements, which are imprinted seals attached to diplomas, are indications that students who earn them have met the demanding academic and industry standards of a state-approved CTE program.
Technical endorsements are valued by employers in the industry as well as higher education institutions across the country, making them beneficial to students whether they want to enter the workforce after graduation or continue on to college programs. Regardless of the paths of CNA graduates, earning technical endorsements ensures their readiness both in college and career.
The CNA program’s consultant committee contains a variety of health and medical organizations, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers and 
home health care services.
As with all of Questar’s CTE programs, the consultant committee for CNA offers insight and suggestions to ensure the program includes the necessary skills and knowledge for students to succeed in this growing field.
The CNA program is offered through both of Questar’s CTE centers—the Rensselaer Educational Center (in Troy) and at Hudson High School (through the Columbia-Greene Educational Center in Hudson).
Learn more about the CNA program here, and visit Questar III’s Facebook page for additional photos of current CNA students.
The final CTE Month program spotlight features the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program. Upon graduation, most students…
Posted by Questar III on Sunday, February 28, 2016
