North Dakota high school students gain familiarity with nursing

High school students in North Dakota are honing the skills they have learned in coursework that prepares them for nursing jobs, according to a published report.

The basement of Altru Health System in Grand Forks is where the course takes place, The Jamestown Sun reports. The one semester class centers on what is required to be a certified nursing assistant, and enables the students to take their certification tests.

"Students can call and get the CNA exam and say, 'I have the background and the training and the skills,'" director Eric Ripley with the Grand Forks Area Career and Technology Center told the news source, noting demand for these services in North Dakota is growing sharply. "If they pass that, they're a licensed CNA."

He also noted the preparatory course helps the participants save time and money because it is part of their regular school semester. One of the skills they learn is checking blood pressure.

Nurses aid patients and their family members with preparation for medical procedures while also providing emotional support during challenging times, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.