To give students a chance to experience actual situations in the real world, juniors in Sara Hartwich’s Nursing classes take part in clinicals at the Veterans Home in Boulder City.

“It was very pleasant, it was a good experience to have and it allowed me  explore into the beginning of the nursing world and what different roles a nurse might have and the different skills we need,” senior Josh Amante said. “Clinicals helped me further practice those skills and experience how it would be to work as a CNA.”

Each student will be assigned to a specific patient for the day, taking care of their basic needs.

“I’m actually really excited for the clinicals,” junior Chatelle Sera Josef said. “It’s not only a mind opening experience for us but it’s also [a] great way for us to practice and work on our skills.”

Students have prepared for clinicals by learning the 19 competency skills for nursing assistants which include bedside manner, taking vital signs and assisting the patient with daily care. 

“We’ve spent all year preparing to go out into the real world and I think it’s helped us a lot,” Sera Josef said. “I feel more prepared and ready to take care of the patients now than compared to how I felt at the beginning of the school year.”

The clinicals will begin the last week of February and continue until the third week of March. Each student will have to complete four clinical rotations while there and will implement the skills learned from class.

“The students get to sit with [the veterans] and listen to their stories, make them feel special [and] allow the patients to communicate with them, which is a great way for them to experience real-life patient care,” Hartwich said.