Starting a Career While in High School

Early on in high school, I had the privilege of already knowing the field that I wanted to work in when I grew older while many students were, and still are, struggling to find what they liked or were interested in. Because my mother is a registered nurse I got to learn what nursing was all about from an early age and I have come to love it. Many times I have asked other people to tell me what they could see me being, just out of pure curiosity if I was choosing the right profession, and everyone has answered with being a nurse. So, I suppose it’s meant to be. Science classes have always interested me such as biology and chemistry and I like knowing how the human body works, and so this profession caters to what I like along with the caring and compassionate side.

Coming into my sophomore year, I began to learn more about Lewiston Regional Technical Center (LRTC) as the guidance counselors not only took us on a field trip to visit but also taught us about the many different programs LRTC has to offer. While browsing through the programs I came across Pre-nursing and thought that it might be perfect. Not only did the program train you to be a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), but it also went beyond and would prepare those wanting to go into Nursing School. Being a CNA at first did not sound too appealing, as many describe it as nurses giving the nursing assistants the “s–t end of the stick” but I came to find out that that wasn’t the case. CNA’s learn basic nursing and have the most direct patient care in helping patients with their Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s) such as bathing, dressing, and eating. And more than that, words can’t describe just how rewarding it is. But, after applying and not being accepted for my Junior year, I reapplied and was one of the sixteen students for Senior Year at LRTC.

What I loved most about LRTC was that it reaffirmed what I wanted my career to be. For years I thought I knew exactly what I wanted to be but at the beginning of Senior Year I became unsure of my path. But, while we were at clinicals and after seeing the many different experiences I got to be apart of, I was sure again of what I wanted to do and I fell in love with nursing more than ever. Being at clinicals and helping many different people, from old age to young people, and experiences different healthcare settings gave me more knowledge than I could have ever hoped for. Not only did I get CPR certified (BLS for healthcare workers), CNA certified (coming within the next few weeks), but I also feel more prepared for when I do venture into Nursing School. And while in school, I have a good paying job that is infinitely better than working minimum wage while trying to buy books and supplies.

My biggest advice to underclassmen about finding their path would be to just put yourself out there and try it. If you have an idea of what you like, find out if you really do like it. But don’t just find something you like, find something that you love. Clinicals were definitely my scariest moment of high school. Nothing can prepare you to go into a nursing home and completely take care of an elderly resident with their bathing and dressing but I’m so glad I put myself out there and did it. I got to witness Colonoscopies and IV’s and many other different procedures that people normally don’t get to witness.

Now, at the end of my Senior Year I feel like I have grown more into my role as a caretaker and feel more prepared for my future. I can’t thank LRTC and Mrs. Kelly enough for helping me along this path.