New Castle Career Center Health Science Education program students anticipated that this school year would look different; they just didn’t know how different. Students applied for the program just as the pandemic began.

As part of the Infection Prevention and Control Unit, the students completed extensive COVID training. They were educated on topics such as clean hands, PPE lessons, infection prevention and control, and monitoring residents. Students also practiced hand washing and donning and doffing PPE techniques and procedures.

“Students were prepared to begin clinical on October 19,” noted Health Science Education instructor Angie Talbott. “Unfortunately, some clinical sites have delayed starting to November 2.”

Not only were there some clinical delays, but students are also finding clinical procedures to be more intense than expected. Students participating in clinical at extended care facilities are required to be COVID tested weekly to comply with ISDH and Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services COVID testing requirements.

“Each student must be extremely vigilant about hand washing and wearing a mask,” added Talbott. “Students understand the reason for these precautions and have even shared what they have learned with their family and friends.”

A handful of students who were accepted into Heath Science Education program for the 2020-21 school year decided to drop the program before beginning. Those who chose to stay are using their unexpected classroom time to break down theories and skills before starting their clinical.

“These students did not turn away when COVID stirred up their plans, which tells me they will be heroes,” continued Talbott. “Heroes rush in when threats arise and that is what I’m confident these students will do.”

For more information about the Health Science Education Program, visit nccareercenter.org