June 1, 2021 3:40 a.m.

Last week five Roseburg High School seniors received their nursing assistant pins for completing the RHS Nursing Assistant Level One program offered in partnership with Umpqua Community College.

A release from Roseburg High School said the students gathered with their families for a ceremony at the RHS media center, where they were commended for their dedication, professionalism and positive attitudes.

Principal Jill Weber praised the students for their willingness to join the program, which had been on hiatus for about ten years, during the middle of a pandemic. Weber said, “We know that despite all the unknowns, that you have a confidence, the belief and the strength to join the program and see it through”.

April Myler, chair of UCC’s Health and Emergency Sciences department, said the students have set a high bar for future participants. Myler attended the ceremony along with UCC’s primary nursing instructor, Jan Dawson, and clinical teaching associate, Chris Parker.

The release said RHS was able to reinstate the program with the help of Measure 98 funding intended to support career and technical education as well as college-level education opportunities.

Students accepted into the program are dually enrolled at RHS and UCC, participating in classroom and skill lab instruction at RHS during school hours and hands-on clinical experiences during work nights and weekends in off-campus facilities. The course, which is approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing, involves 164-plus hours of training in basic bedside nursing skills and more. Participants gain the knowledge and skills necessary to care for clients in long-term care and acute care facilities that are under direct care of a licensed nurse, according to the release.

The students will take their state certification tests later this month, and can then move on to a CNA II or nursing program.

This year’s participants were: Makayla Walker, Ekaterina Spani, Kiele Montiel, Athena Sand and Brie Valenzuela.