Health Science Careers - Nursing
- Locations: Sammamish HS in Bellevue, WANIC at LWTech, Woodinville HS in Woodinville
- 3 High School Credits: CTE (1.5), Health (0.5), Lab Science (1.0)
- No Tuition
- Program fees may apply Financial assistance may be available for qualifying students
- College Credits and Certifications available: Contact WANIC to find out more
- Prerequisites: Biology - Students are required to have successfully completed and passed the course without any adjustments to the standards. Minimum 8th grade reading level ability. Prerequisites Year 2: Successful completion of Year 1 and instructor approval.
This is a full year 3-period Skill Center class (3 high school credits).
Prepare for the challenging and exciting career possibilities in nursing - one of the fastest growing industries today. This intensive course of study develops knowledge and skills applicable for a variety of careers in the health-care industry with emphasis on hands-on, patient-oriented skills training for those interested in becoming nurses, physicians, and other health-care providers and therapists. Learn about a variety of health-care topics, procedures and careers in patient care, earn certification in CPR/First Aid, and attend clinical internship in health-care facilities. Program includes field trips, guest speakers, team building, and leadership activities and prepares students for further education or an exciting career. Students read college level textbooks and practice technical writing skills.
At the end of the year, students who successfully complete course requirements for Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC) qualify to take the Washington National Nurse Aid Exam. Those who pass the exam can apply for certification and seek entry level employment as a nursing assistant.
The rigor required for success in this class plus college credits earned allow students to immediately enter employment in the health care industry and/or to continue their postsecondary education.
Nursing assisting is an exciting and in-demand profession. Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant is a great way to work in medicine, help people, and earn a good wage.
Median Yearly Salary Seattle Metro area*
- Nursing Assistants $37,560
- Registered Nurses $94,020
*Source: careeronestop.org, U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021
Please note: In Bellevue School District's Sammamish High School, this program is named Health Science Careers. The WANIC location is named Nursing Careers - Health Science. In Northshore School District's Woodinville High School, this program is named Medical Professions Academy. They all fall under the same Framework for Health Science Careers (CNA) filed with OSPI.
PREPARE FOR COLLEGE AND A CAREER!
Course Expectations: Health Science Careers. Located at Sammamish High School
Reading Expectations of this class:
Minimum 8th grade reading level ability. Textbook is Mosby’s Textbook for Nursing Assistants-2017-available in the Career Center. Encourage students interested in the class to be sure & check out the textbook for this class. The textbook is considered college level & requires a higher level of ELL for vocabulary comprehension; a major focus is vocabulary for this class. We cover a major part of this book & assignments are based on reading the text & answering questions for each chapter in an assignment in OneNote.
Writing Expectations of this class:
Writing expectations need to show vocabulary comprehension; students are asked to use vocabulary words in a paragraph (usually in a group setting) to show comprehension. Many of the vocabulary words we focus on will appear in the state CNA test that eligible students can take that have earned an “A” or “B”.
Math Expectations of this class:
Basic math is required: students need to be able to add up & calculate intake & output using cc’s & understand basic metric system conversions such as 30 cc= 1 oz, etc. & how to add multiple numbers together to come up with a total.
Science Expectations of this class:
Students earn .5 lab science credit each semester. Students will study basic anatomy & physiology, learn about systems of the human body & how they are affected by illness. Medical terminology & abbreviations are introduced. A lab portion is a significant part of the class with 22 skills the students learn by practicing repeatedly through the class. The skills must be mastered to pass the state certified nursing assistant test in the spring.
Homework Expectations of this class:
Generally, there are two-chapter assignments required per week requiring use of the textbook & OneNote. Assignments cover all the state required curriculum for certified nursing assistants, such as understanding the role of the nursing assistant, ethics, communication, preventing infection, vital signs, etc. Vocabulary is mastered by practice in groups but requires additional study; frequent quizzes to show mastery of vocabulary.
To be successful in this class, the student should be prepared to:
Strive to obtain an “A” or “B” to be eligible for college credit. Complete assignments on time, participate in First Aid & CPR training, complete the required 40 hours of clinical work. Students will earn a certificate & be eligible to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant if they meet these requirements.
Attendance is critical to success in this class; the student is considered an employee or a professional and is expected to be in full daily attendance and actively participating to assure that maximum learning and productivity are achieved. This program includes numerous hands-on activities which can be attained only by being in attendance. Applying and practicing skills are critical to demonstrating competency.
Additional Information:
- CTE Dual Credit - College Credit Available
Course Expectations: Nursing Careers - Health Science. Located at WANIC Skill Center
Reading Expectations of this class:
Students should have a minimum reading ability of 8th grade. The primary textbook for the Nursing Assisting Course is Hartman’s Nursing Assistant Text (6th edition), which generally aligns with a 9th grade reading level, though some sections may reach college-level complexity. A significant portion of the coursework involves learning medical terminology and vocabulary, which requires a commitment similar to studying a foreign language. For medical terminology, we utilize Goodheart-Wilcox: Introduction to Medical Terminology.
Writing Expectations of this class:
This class focuses on charting which would include fundamental grammar, sentence structure, and essay development. Writing assignments are designed to enhance skills crucial for effective communication within healthcare teams, as well as for sharing research and insights with classmates and instructor.
Math Expectations of this class:
Students should have basic math skills, including the ability to add and calculate intake and output in cubic centimeters (cc). Understanding metric conversions, such as 30 cc = 1 oz, is essential. They should also be able to estimate volume and sum multiple numbers to find a total. Introduction to medical math will occur.
Science Expectations of this class:
Students earn .5 lab science credit each semester. Students will study basic anatomy and physiology, learn about systems of the human body, their interrelationship and how they are affected by illness. Medical terminology and abbreviations are learned. A lab portion is a significant part of the class with more than 22 skills the students learn by practicing repeatedly through the year. These 22 skills must be mastered to pass the state nursing assistant certified test in the spring. Successful completion of Biology is required prior to enrolling.
Homework Expectations of this class:
Assignments encompass the state-required curriculum for certified nursing assistants, including the nursing assistant's role, ethics, communication, infection control, vital signs, and many other topics. Vocabulary will be mastered through group practice but requires further independent study; regular quizzes will assess vocabulary comprehension.
To be successful in this class, the student should be prepared to:
- Aim for an “A” or “B” to qualify for the required clinical component of class, qualify for nursing assistant state exam and earn college credit.
- Attend class each day, lab and theory are introduced each day.
- Submit assignments punctually and stay current with all requirements.
- Complete 40-50 hours of clinical rotation at a long-term care facility, hospital, or assisted living center.
- Be prepared to miss some home high school hours in the spring to fulfill clinical requirements of this course while maintaining good standing at their home high school.
- Earn a certificate and qualify to work as a Certified Nursing Assistant by meeting all program requirements.
- Adhere to attendance expectations reflective of the health industry; as a student, they are viewed as a professional and must attend daily and participate actively to maximize learning and productivity.
- Engage in hands-on activities essential for skill application and competency demonstration, as required by the Department of Health for the Certificate of Completion.
- Be able to engage and communicate with peers and patients of all ages and discuss sensitive health topics with others.
- Show respect to peers, instructors, and patients. Have integrity and have patience when working with others.
Additional Information:
- Prerequisite Year 1: Biology - Students are required to have successfully completed and passed the course without any adjustments to the standards. Minimum 8th grade reading level ability.
- Prerequisites Year 2: Successful completion of Year 1. Year two program focuses on Patient Care Technician (PCT) certification and leadership in class. Students will learn Phlebotomy and Electrocardiograms this year.
- CTE Dual Credit. College Credit May Be Available.
Course Expectations: Medical Professionals Academy - Health Science Careers. Located at Woodinville High School
Reading Expectations of this class:
Minimum 8th grade reading level ability. Reading is big part of learning medicine. Students are expected to read 10-20 pages of scientifically dense texts daily. Able to learn more than a thousand new medical terminology words with multiple testing over the course of the year.
Writing Expectations of this class:
There is very little writing in this class. Most of the time it is electronic charting with autocorrect. Notes taking in class during lecture.
Math Expectations of this class:
Elementary algebra and conversions to metric system. Operating Word, Excel, Power Point programs.
Science Expectations of this class:
Able to read scientifically dense texts daily. Able to learn anatomy and physiology using 3D models on website. Able to operate with complex systemic models of functions, able to analyze data and create plan of patient’s care.
Homework Expectations of this class:
2 hours a day of reading, preparing PPT presentations, watching educational videos, practicing skills, memorizing medical terminology.
To be successful in this class, the student should be prepared to:
Follow an attendance policy similar to business and industry; the student is considered an employee or a professional and is expected to be in full daily attendance and actively participating to assure that maximum learning and productivity are achieved. This program includes numerous hands-on activities which can be attained only by being in attendance. Applying and practicing skills are critical to demonstrating competency.
Additional Information:
- Prerequisites: Biology. Minimum 8th grade reading ability.
- CTE Dual Credit - College Credit Available
Nursing Careers - Health Science WANIC Program Intro Video
Health Science Careers Sammamish HS Program Intro Video
Medical Professionals - Health Science Careers Woodinville HS Program Intro Video