HOYA 1 Oct/Nov Article
This month, our HOYA students have been busy learning and practicing a variety of essential nursing assistant skills! We focused on basic nursing care and activities of daily living (ADLs), including bathing, oral care, hair care, and assisting residents with feeding. Students had the opportunity to practice these skills while learning the importance of providing care that promotes each resident’s comfort, dignity, and independence.
One of our most memorable activities this month focused on empathy and understanding the resident experience. As we learned about feeding residents who require modified-texture foods and thickened liquids, students had the opportunity to taste puréed foods and thickened liquids themselves. This hands-on experience helped students better understand what some residents experience during mealtimes and reinforced the importance of patience, compassion, and providing respectful, person-centered care.
In addition to personal care skills, students have been learning how to measure and perform vital signs, including the importance of obtaining accurate measurements and recognizing when changes should be reported to the nurse. We also focused on infection prevention and control, reviewing the chain of infection, proper hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), and the role nursing assistants play in protecting both residents and healthcare workers from the spread of infection.
It has been a busy and exciting month filled with hands-on learning! Our students continue to build the knowledge, skills, and compassion needed to become successful nursing assistants. I am proud of their continued growth as they learn not only how to provide care, but also why empathy, safety, and dignity are such important parts of the profession.
Looking Ahead: What to Expect in November!
November is shaping up to be an exciting month for our HOYA students as we take the next step in their healthcare journey!
Starting next week, students will participate in job shadowing experiences, where they will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of healthcare specialties and shadow a mentor in their selected field. Students will research their chosen specialty, learn about the roles and responsibilities involved, and then experience that specialty firsthand by observing healthcare professionals in action. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to explore different career paths, discover new interests, and gain a better understanding of the many opportunities available in healthcare.
In just a couple of weeks, students will also begin hands-on clinical experiences! This is an exciting milestone as they transition from practicing skills in our classroom and lab to applying what they have learned in a real healthcare setting. Students will have the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice, continue developing their nursing assistant skills, and gain valuable experience caring for residents under appropriate supervision.
We are looking forward to a month full of new experiences, hands-on learning, and professional growth as our students continue building the skills and confidence needed for their future careers in healthcare!