Nursing Preparation
Nursing continues to be a high-demand career, one of the fastest growing occupations in the healthcare industry. It is estimated that by 2035, the population over the age of 65 will outnumber the population under the age of 18 (US Census Bureau). With this increase in the aging population, more nurses will be needed to provide competent, passionate care in a variety of care settings.
Nursing is a profession that gives you many choices of where to work (hospital, office, home, etc.) and over 100 specialty areas to work in. A career in nursing can be flexible by moving from specialty to specialty or by advancing one's position through continued education. Work schedules can be varied with 8 and 12 hour shift options as well as full-time, part-time, or casual positions. As a travel nurse, your assignment could take you anywhere across the country or around the globe. Nurses receive some of the highest salaries among the other healthcare professions.
According to the annual Gallup poll on honesty and ethical standards, nurses have been ranked the most trusted professionals since 2001.
Program Description
Nursing Preparation will help high school seniors build a strong academic foundation in order to meet the rigorous nursing school entry requirements. Two college courses are embedded into the Nursing Prep curriculum. This gives students the opportunity to obtain seven college credits through either dual enrollment or articulated credit options. Students will complete a state approved nurse aide-training program. If the required classroom, lab, and clinical requirements are met, students are eligible to sit for the State of Michigan certification exam and become a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). Students will have two clinical experiences at a Lenawee county long-term care facility. In the first experience, students will learn to communicate with and participate in assessments of elders while utilizing the nursing process in the geriatric setting. The second experience will be the 24-hour CNA clinical required for certification.
To Be Successful
Students need a 3.0 G.P.A. or higher, strong science, English, communication, and research skills, as well as a compassion for others. Students are required to pass a physical, TB test, criminal background check, and must be current with Hepatitis B, Tetanus, MMR, Varicella, and seasonal flu vaccines before going on clinical experiences.
Textbook reading level: college level.
Student Organization
Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA)
*National Finalists in Medical Spelling (3rd place 2009, 1st place 2011, 3rd place 2020)
Program Success Indicators
Academic
- Academically prepared at college level in math and reading for embedded dual enrollment opportunities
- Strong high school academic record in science
- Interest in the human body and the disease process
- Breakdown and construct medical terminology
- Read and comprehend large quantity of written material
- Add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers, convert fractions to decimals, and convert units of measurement between household and metric systems
Interpersonal
- Dependable attendance
- Good communication skills
- Adhere to professional standards of dress and behavior
- Persevere until skill is attained
- Work in a team setting while working independently with minimal supervision
- Desire to learn and be challenged
- Do two or more things at the same time (multi-task)
Program Specific
- Interest in pursuing post-secondary education in the health profession, focused on Nursing
- Work with the elderly population
- Provide physical care to/for other people
- Adhere to confidentiality requirements (HIPAA)
- Pass a criminal background check and drug screen
- Tolerate confined spaces, blood, vomit, smells, feces, and urine
- Able to deal with stressful and/or life threatening situations (death)
- Display professionalism towards sensitive health care topics
- Follow required health and safety rules
- Obtain annual tuberculin skin testing and obtain required vaccinations for clinical placement
- Participate in role-play as a healthcare provider and/or patient in order to master patient care skills
Related Careers
Note: Additional education may be required.
- Nursing
- C.N.A.
- Home Health Aide
- Medical Technician
- Physical Therapy
- Ultrasound Technician
- Sports Medicine
- Physician
High School Credit*
*The LISD TECH Center recommends the academic credit listed. Credit can only be awarded by local districts.
- 1.0 2nd Science (Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy, Agriscience)
- 1.0 World Languages (in lieu of)
- 1.0 English Language Arts
- 1.0 Online Learning Experience
- 1.0 4th Math
- 1.0 3rd Science (in lieu of)
- 1.0 Visual, Performing, & Applied Science
College Credit Opportunities*
*College credit can only be awarded by the college or university. Certain requirements must be met outside of completing the program.
- Davenport University
- Eastern Michigan University
- Jackson College
- Siena Heights University
Certification Opportunities
- CNA License
- Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT)
- Certified EKG Technician (CET)
- Certified Patient Care Technician/Assistant (CPCT/A)
Instructor
Lisa Dunlap has been a nurse for over 30 years. She began her career as a Nursing Assistant at Addison Hospital as a result of attending the LISD TECH Center her junior year of high school. She earned her master’s degree in Nursing Education from Michigan State University. She has a very diverse background in nursing with her last clinical practice being in school and community nursing with ProMedica. Lisa has worked in Nursing Education full-time since 2007 in the Jackson College Nursing Program as well as the LISD TECH Center in both the Nursing Prep and C.N.A. programs.
