Students and staff from Valley Tech’s Practical Nursing, Dental Assisting, and Health Services programs gathered with a group of area senior citizens to celebrate the conclusion of the recent Aging Well Assessment Day
Area senior citizens received free health screenings and students gained invaluable experience during the recent Aging Well Assessment Day at Blackstone Valley Tech.
Aging Well Assessment Day was established by the BVT Post-Secondary Practical Nursing program as a way for its adult-learners to practice real-life application of their nursing skills and theory. Each year, local residents age 85 and older visit Valley Tech for a morning of height, weight, and vision screenings, along with a nutritional assessment and home safety check, followed by an hour-long physical assessment performed by Practical Nursing students and staff. Valley Tech’s Health Services, Dental Assisting, and Culinary Arts students also participate in the event and work directly with the public.
The event has become an annual tradition for Hopedale resident Joan McMullen, who said she always enjoys interacting with Valley Tech’s “smart and enthusiastic” students. In addition to the yearly assessments, McMullen said she is aware of similar programs and presentations held by Valley Tech in senior centers throughout the school’s 13-town district.
“They do such a service to the community,” McMullen commented. “Don’t you love to see your tax dollars go toward something like this?”
According to BVT’s Practical Nursing Coordinator, Joann Monks, MBA, MSc, RN-BC. RMA, the event has become an important part of the program’s curriculum.
“In addition to helping students develop their clinical decision-making skills by engaging in real-life assessments of older adults, Aging Well Assessment Day promotes the integration of vocational departments within BVT and partnerships with the community at large,” Monks explained. “A special thank you is owed to the staff and participants of the Mendon Senior Center, without whom Aging Well Assessment Day would not be possible.”
Since 2009, Valley Tech’s Practical Nursing program has provided life-changing vocational training to adults interested in a rewarding career in the health care industry. In the past four years, graduates have maintained a pass rate of 100% on the National Council Licensure Exam for Practical Nurses. Applications are being accepted for the Post-Secondary Practical Nursing program beginning in August 2016. For more information and to request a program application, visitwww.valleytech.k12.ma.us or call the Practical Nursing program at (508) 529-7758 ext. 3122.
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UPTON DAILY 