Questar III LPN Student Mark Basso and Clarice Bobb, RN, Director of Nursing Services/Acting Administrator, Firemen’s Home More than 60 students from Questar III’s Licensed Practical Nursing LPN) and Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) programs located at Hudson High School participated in their annual Career Day on May 4.
A panel of professionals from local health care organizations and college programs spoke to the group of adult and high school LPN and CNA students about career pathways and employment opportunities available at their respective organizations.
Panelists represented the following organizations: Pine Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Correctional Medical Services, Kaaterskill Care, The Firemen’s Home, Columbia-Greene Community College, COARC, the Women, Infants and Children’s (WIC) Program of Catholic Charities of Columbia and Greene Counties, Interim Health Care, Resurrection Nursing Home, New York State Taconic Developmental Disabilities Services (DDSO) and the U.S. Army.
Panelist Tammy Rigos from the Pine Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Philmont observed that the students were well-prepared. “They came with resumes ready to hand out and were very inquisitive about what we had to offer. I invited them to fill out applications and we hope to hear from them, especially the nurse’s aides.”
Kim Botto, from the WIC program offered by Catholic Charities of Greene and Columbia Counties, has served on the panel for three years. “I love it and look forward to it,” Botto said. “It’s very well-organized and the students get a lot out of it. We also encourage them to apply to our programs in Hudson and Catskill.”
RN Regina Doebler & LPN Student Nicole Buck
Dawn Wrigley, the head of the Department of Nursing at representative from Columbia-Greene Community College has participated in every career day panel.
Wrigley said that she finds Questar III students are eager to learn and that they value the importance of lifelong learning. “Many Questar students continue their nursing education at Columbia-Greene and those who go to work are interested in taking in-service training to stay current in their field.”
According to LPN Instructor Donna Bellemare, “The annual career day is an exceptional opportunity for students to meet and network with professionals who will be their future colleagues. “They get the chance to learn about real-life experiences which helps them in their transition to careers in the nursing field.”
Questar III’s LPN program provides the hours of classroom theory and clinical experience required to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Students learn and plan the implementation of quality nursing care for patients. Through classroom theory, laboratory and hands-on clinical instruction, students who complete Questar III’s CNA program are eligible to take the New York Nurse Assistant Certification Exam.
