The Academy of Creative Education’s spring 2018 Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) class began February 5, 2018. The CNA program at ACE is provided by NEISD and Career & Technology through a partnership with Good Careers Academy.

 On Monday, April 2, 2018, 10 ACE CNA students began their clinicals at Heartland Healthcare San Antonio. The students immediately were praised by LVNs, RNs, and administrators at Heartland for their professionalism and knowledge of their skills.

 On Tuesday, April 3, 2018, while ACE and CNA student Meridith Aldrich was providing care to a resident, she recognized that the resident was not receiving adequate room air oxygen due to becoming asphyxiated.  Meridith’s close observation, early recognition, and expeditious response resulted in the resident not having further complications.

 Upon recognition of the problem, Meridith immediately called out for help and was quickly assisted by her instructor in relieving the resident’s respiratory distress.  Meridith responded to the resident’s life-threatening event expeditiously and without hesitation.  She then followed proper channels by immediately reporting this incident to the resident’s Charge Nurse.

 The next day, April 4, 2018, during clinicals, ACE and CNA student Jennifer Vargas was observing the lunch meal, and she recognized a resident choking. Jennifer’s conscientious response and expedited reporting resulted in the facility’s nursing staff to observe and assess the resident in adequate time.

 Providing crucial and accurate observation information to the nurse in charge and Speech Therapist, led to the Speech Therapist changing the resident’s diet from Regular to Pureed. Jennifer’s observations also led to the initiation of speech therapy services for this resident who will now undergo additional testing. Jennifer’s knowledge and sound understanding of lecture material instilled in her during classroom training prepared her for such an event.  

 Jennifer and Meridith are a leading example of a nurse aide students who go above and beyond expectations by putting into action what they learned in class. Their early recognition of the resident’s change of conditions and immediate responses to action, and their compassion for others should be highly commended.

 The Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) is a challenging course. This challenge becomes more intense during clinical rotation, as students are expected to relate and perform nursing tasks learned in class on live residents under the supervision of their instructor and facility nursing staff. During lecture, students become knowledgeable of different body system disorders and conditions. Students are also given knowledge on the importance of early recognition regarding residents’ changes of condition and what necessary steps to take.