Students thrive in Queen Creek school’s nursing program

Crismon High School’s Career and Technical Education Nursing Program offers students hands-on experience, mentorships and a supportive community to prepare them for careers in health care.

Students in the CTE nursing program don’t just learn about health care in the classroom, they actively participate in it. Junior Ava Singleton shared how the program has provided her with an informative clinical experience.

“We just finished up our clinical rotations. We worked in two post-acute care centers in Mesa, and we got to do everything that a CNA would do,” she stated in a Queen Creek Unified School District press release. “We interacted with a lot of patients and formed relationships. It’s amazing to put our knowledge into real-world settings.”

One of the greatest strengths of the program is the support of its instructor, Tarra Chownyk.

“My teacher, Mrs. Chownyk, provides such a valuable education. She shares her experiences and gives us so many resources to succeed after high school,” Singleton stated in the release. “Now I’ve found something I truly love to do.”

Malynn Robinson, another junior at CHS, added that Chownyk has supported her learning through everything.

“No matter if I had an outrageous question, she was always there. She loves her students as much as she loves her children,” Robinson stated in the release.

Students in the program develop essential life skills that will serve them in any career path.

“I’ve learned so much; teamwork, perseverance and what it’s really like to work in the health care field,” Singleton continued. “We’ve gained so much knowledge on how to take care of a patient and what to do in different situations. It’s changed my perspective on life and healthcare.”

Robinson emphasized the program’s impact on college preparation.

“This program is so beneficial for preparing us for nursing school. When we get there, we’ll already have the experience and know what to do,” she stated. “It makes you feel so much more prepared and well-rounded.”

Beyond the skills and experience, students in the program form a close bond, making their learning journey even more meaningful.

For those considering joining the CTE nursing program, Singleton had these words of wisdom: “Go into it with an open mind. It’s a tough career field, but it’s also really rewarding.”