On Jan. 25, Bonita Vista High (BVH) hosted the Nursing Career Workshop which included a presentation showcasing the various programs Southwestern College (SWC) has to offer for students that are interested in pursuing a nursing career. SWC nursing student Mikaylah Wood and Nursing and health occupation program specialist Veronica Pineda delivered this presentation to BVH students. Through this presentation, Wood aimed to demonstrate that the nursing profession encompasses diverse pathways, not just one singular route in the nursing career.
“I wanted to shine [more] light on specifically the Vocational Nursing Program at SWC because back when I was in high school, I was not aware that it was even an option,” Wood said. “I was more exposed to the registered nurse aspect of the healthcare system,so I just wanted students to know that there are other avenues within the healthcare world. There are different ways of getting your foot in the door in the nursing world.”
The presentation highlights numerous pathways within the nursing field, including roles such as vocational nurses (VN) and certified nursing assistants (CNA). Exposure to these other roles enables future and current nursing students to make informed decisions about their career paths, fostering more confident approaches to their choices in the nursing profession. Pineda emphasizes that this presentation significantly impacts future nursing students by expanding their understanding of available options.
“The impact can be great, especially since [the presentations] are for high school students. I think that it is very valuable because students can see for themselves that [nursing] can become something more obtainable or they could say ‘Okay, this is something I can do.’ We try to condense a lot [of information] into a I think that it is very valuable because students can see for themselves that [nursing] can become something more obtainable…[/pullquote] little bit of time which hopefully gives some ideas and exposure to what is out there,” Pineda said.
The impact of these programs successfully extended to the BVH campus, personally impacting students like senior Mia Andrade-Herrera, which fueled her goal of obtaining a nursing career and her ongoing interest in the medical field. She celebrates her passion for nursing and articulates how this meeting can significantly contribute to her long-term career goals.
“My entire life, I was surrounded by the medical field and I saw how they talked about it and I was like, ‘This sounds good and interesting.’ The meeting said CNA would be a step in, but I feel like I have had to step in for a while because of my family,” Andrade-Herrera said. “I went to the meeting because I am going to SWC and I wanna see what routes they offer, especially the VN route.”
Senior Kenz Bulante also attended the presentation and takes an interest in how it helps him. He highlights its significance for underclassmen who are navigating their choices in career choices and the importance of these programs guiding and informing students about their various options
“I think it is important, especially for underclassmen who are still trying to figure out what they want to do with their future. I think these programs help them figure out what their interests are and show resources to pursue those interests when they make that transition to college,” Bulante said.
Wood does not shy away from addressing challenges within the nursing career. She notably emphasizes the heavy workload that often leads to mental burnout for both nurses and nursing students. This provides a realistic perspective, preparing individuals for the potential challenges they may encounter in the pursuit of a nursing career.
“Some nurses work very long hours, some work eight hour shifts, 12 hour shifts and burnout is a really big thing in the nursing world. Also just taking care of your mental health because that is a really important thing too,” Wood said.
Despite acknowledging potential challenges, Bulante expresses enthusiasm for gaining hands-on experience and working closely with patients. His positive outlook emphasizes the rewarding aspects of a nursing career, highlighting the valuable and fulfilling experiences that come from direct interaction with those in need.
“Nursing is a lot of working with patients and helping them out so it is going to be really exciting to get hands-on experience, like helping patients with their needs,” Bulante said.
Wood’s primary emphasis in the presentation is to ensure students grasp the broad impact of the programs. She wants them to understand that their choices in the nursing profession are not confined to a single path but include a multitude of paths, allowing them to align their decision with their individual interests and aspirations.
“I hope that students were able to get their eyes open. [I also wanted] to shine more light on other programs at SWC,” Wood said. “There is not just registered nursing, there are other different types of nursing out there. That’s why I wanted the students today to understand there’s different avenues you can go in the healthcare field.”
