A partnership between Lac qui Parle and Dawson-Boyd High Schools, Appleton Area Health Services, Johnson Memorial Health Services, Madison Healthcare Services, and Minnesota West Community and Technical College have received a $22,950 LYFT Career Pathways award to develop a Nursing Assistant and an Introduction to Medical Careers course that will serve up to 35 students during the 2018-19 school year.

Funds will be used to purchase medical equipment, transport students, and cover first year instructional costs.

The CNA course requirements are established by the State of Minnesota. The CNA clinicals will be held in Appleton, Dawson and Madison at each of their respective nursing homes once the lecture and lab portions of the training are completed.

The Introduction to Medical Careers course will be based on the Health Care Core Curriculum that was developed by HealthForce Minnesota.

Both classes will be for college credit and Minnesota West will provide the instructor. Besides the partners that were listed above, numerous other healthcare providers will be secured to provide job shadowing opportunities for students, as well as in-class demonstrations and facility tours.

• In the spring of 2019, six students took the Intro to Medical Careers course.
• In the 2020-21 school year, six students took the Intro to Medical Careers course.
• During the 2021-22 school year, 16 students took the Intro to Medical Careers course.
• In the Fall of 2018, ten students took the Nursing Assistant course.
• In the Fall of 2019, ten students took the Nursing Assistant course.
• In the Fall of 2020, three students took the Nursing Assistant course.
• In the Spring of 2022, 16 students took the Nursing Assistant course. 

For more information contact Scott Sawatzky at LqPV Schools.