Students Provided Opportunity to Receive CNA License Despite COVID-19 Pandemic
Over a typical summer, Communities In Schools of Houston partners with CHI St. Luke’s Health and Houston Methodist Hospital to provide CIS high school students and recent graduates with an immersive, paid, nursing externship experience. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program was put on hold since the hands-on experience was not possible amidst the ongoing health crisis.
One aspect of our nursing externship opportunity in partnership with Houston Methodist Hospital is that students are provided with a two-part experience, to work within the hospital performing hands-on medical tasks and shadowing nurses, while also taking classes at Smithwood Medical Institute to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Students who had been accepted into the nursing program before COVID-19 caused plans to change, were offered the opportunity to still obtain their CNA license by completing the training program through a hybrid virtual and in-person program at Smithwood.
Nursing Program Virtual Ceremony— Students heard encouraging messages from their CIS Student Support Managers, Rikki Smith Wilson (Smithwood Medical Institute), and keynote speaker Rachael Cummings (nursing student at Prairie View A&M University and former CIS nursing internship participant).
This month we held our celebration for our CNA program students to congratulate them on their hard work and accomplishments, and inspire them to stay resilient and determined as they move through their next chapters.
We had six of our recent high school graduates from various campuses participate. These students persevered through extremely trying times to complete this program and build on their skill set to prepare them for their futures. Please meet our wonderful, hardworking, and resilient Certified Nursing Assistants.
Meet our 2020 CIS Certified Nursing Assistants:
Johanna
Sharpstown High School, HISD
“I learned from this program that everything works on in the end. I was really worried about the program being online but I got to know the other students and made a lot of friends. I am most excited about the idea of continuing to grow and gain more experience to be successful.”
Chris
Hastings High School, Alief ISD
“The thing I am most excited about is being able to help people in the future. I want to be a labor and delivery nurse to help women through one of the most difficult and important experiences they will go through in life.”
Jorge
Sterling High School, HISD
“I want to continue studying to be an RN and I am most excited about the opportunity to work with doctors, nurses, and other health professionals in the future.”
Tredaisia
Sterling High School, HISD
“I was worried I would not be able to accomplish much due to my background and where I come from, but when I got the opportunity with Smithwood, it made me want to hang on to everything I learned and keep going. I am most excited that I accomplished something that I can use towards my future.”
Georgina
Milby High School, HISD
“My favorite part of the programs was meeting new people and growing my medical skills and knowledge. I am most excited about this certificate for the chance to apply to jobs where I can learn more and grow in the medical field.”
Xanthe
Heights High School, HISD
“I absolutely enjoyed this opportunity to get this certification. The teachers were amazing and always made sure we were having fun while learning. Ms. Honora is so sweet and very liked by her students. She really cares about her students and treats us all with respect. I will definitely miss her class!”