This past year, teachers and staff of Westside met with Methodist College to partner with students preparing to join the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program.

Department head of physical education, Sally Shepherd, met alongside with a team of administrators to discuss the plan with Methodist on how to develop this program.

“The goal of the program, is to help the kids who are interested in a career in medicine, and to give kids the chance to explore being a CNA. It could be their career, so they get started early, “ Shepherd said,

By partnering with Methodist, the program gives a great benefit for students: if they are interested in a career in medicine they can explore, while still in high school. If they realize that medicine isn’t for them, then they know while still in high school, instead of wasting money. If students do succeed they can get a jump-start on their college career while getting classes out of the way at a cheaper cost, as well as getting the experience of taking the college class.

“I’m surprised we haven’t partnered with Methodist until now because they are in our district,” Shepherd said. “It’s really the thought of personalizing learning, to be able to give kids the opportunity to explore.”

Seniors Amanda Heath and Emma Lloyd are both involved in the CNA program that is held through the CAPS (Center for Advanced Professional Studies) program. Both students took Intro to Health Science and Advance Health Science while being at Westside. Then, the Capstone program approached them about being involved.

“I really enjoy going to the hospital, by being able to take tours and being able to see where I could be,” Heath said. “As well as being able to see how many different ways I can help people. “

The seniors find this helpful because it gives them the chance to get a head start on college courses that they might have to take in the future.

“I love being involved because you get more patient experience and see how helping people can be more rewarding,” Lloyd said. “Even though some of the courses require a lot of work, it is kicking me in the butt to prepare for college.”