Guzman has dream to become nurse

By Jackie Ruiz, Editor

Brianna Guzman, a junior, said that she believes the certified nursing class is one of the best classes provided at Senior High.

“I think that it’s a good opportunity for students who are looking for a job in the medical field but are still in high school,” she said.

Guzman, who was born in Aurora, but has lived in Grand Island since she was very young.

“I’ve lived here my whole life, so I think that becoming a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) is the first step in giving back to the community.”

Guzman explained that she signed up for the class because she dreams of becoming a labor and delivery nurse after high school. She would also like to work in the NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit) with infants.

She said that her main goal is to follow in her aunt’s footsteps, who also works as a labor and delivery nurse, and also helps others.

“My aunt has had amazing experiences working in the delivery room and I thought that it would be interesting to see what she gets to see,” she said.

This is Senior High’s 15th year with the nursing class available for students and now is available in the Medical Academy. 

Students in the class learn about what nursing assistants are expected to do and what goes on in a nurse’s schedule. Students are taught the proper techniques and skills they will need to obtain before getting their CNA certification. 

“I think that it’s really great,” said Guzman, “We get to use hands-on learning to practice and show our techniques.”

She mentioned that her favorite part is being able to use mannequins when practicing for skills.

“We’re given new skills almost every time we have class. After we have time to practice, we check them off with an instructor and see if we pass the skills,” she said, “Although it can get difficult, I think that it’s fun using the mannequins.”

Gunzam said that her least favorite part is when the mannequins become hard to position and deal with.

“It gets hard when you try to hold their limbs and perform skills on them at the same time,” she said. “We’ve actually had an arm from one of the mannequins fall off and go missing, but mysteriously reappear the next day.”

She said that it would make her day to figure out who, if anyone, had stolen it. 

“If any student has an idea, please let me know,” Guzman added, “I can keep it anonymous and won’t share it with anyone. I’m just curious to see if it was stolen or placed somewhere by mistake.”

She said that she can’t wait to finish the class and get her certificate to start her future career.

“I’m really excited to become a labor and delivery nurse,” Guzman said. “The schooling will be difficult, but I think that it’ll be worth it in the end.”