Central Campus nursing students gain real-world experience
Six mannequins lie in hospital beds. One has a wound on the knee. Another needs a blood pressure check.
Luckily these anatomical dummies are in a classroom at Central Campus where nursing aide students are learning to provide the care they need.
The nursing classes are part of Central Campus’ health science program, which includes college-level classes in anatomy, biotechnology and physiology, and career-driven courses such as career opportunities in health and health science specialist.
It’s a high-demand program. Instructor Carrie-Anne Torgerson said she regularly gets calls from local care centers looking to hire her students. Many students already work part-time at places like Bishop Drumm, Manor Care and Park Ridge nursing homes.
Maxine Howard, a senior from East High School, was working as a respite assistant at ChildServe when she enrolled in the nursing class. After high school she plans to attend DMACC for two years and work in the health care field before pursuing her nursing degree.
Lincoln senior Anna Rush has similar post-graduation plans. She has a job at Trumark Home Care, which provides caregivers and companions for clients in their home or care facility.
Senior Rene Renteria of East High School wants to be a doctor. He is taking the health science specialist courses to gain experience. He works part time at Park Ridge Nursing Home and plans to study pre-med at Iowa State University.
The health science program is designed for students interesting in pursuing careers as doctors, nurses, physical therapists and other health care professions. They receive classroom instruction, work in health labs at the downtown school and complete clinical rotations.
In the basic one-semester nursing course, students can earn three college credits. At the end of the course, they can sit for the state CNA exam that allows them to work in long-term care facilities, like a nursing home.
The advanced nursing class spans two semesters, and students can earn seven college credits. They study acute care and hospital settings and receive emergency CPR training.
The health care specialist is a yearlong course. Students spend half of every school day in the class. They can earn up to 17 college credits. Classwork covers medical terminology, an academic human biology course, and clinical trials at local hospitals and care centers.
Torgerson, a registered nurse, left nursing to become a teacher. She estimates that 75 percent of her students will go on to earn a degree in a health care-related field.
“Even if kids find out it’s not something they want to do, at least they haven’t spent all that money (toward a nursing degree) in college,” she said.
Her students come from all five Des Moines high schools, as well as some suburban districts.
“The workforce is desperate for more nurses,” Torgerson said. “To get more people into nursing, you have to introduce it to them in their young years. The majority will find they do have an interest in health care … Nursing can be a life career. You can earn a living, but it’s not easy work.”
More than 270 students have applied for one of 80 spots in next year’s nursing classes.
“The waiting list is massive,” Torgerson said.
To be selected for the program, students must meet GPA and attendance requirements, pass a biology prerequisite and receive a teacher recommendation.
About this series
The Des Moines Register is taking a look at some of the unique courses — from auto body repair to robotics — offered at Des Moines Central Campus. The school draws 1,500 students from 29 central Iowa school districts who take classes in 30 career and technical areas and 35 advanced courses not available at most traditional high schools.