Last week, Berlin High School opened its new Nursing Assistant Lab in cooperation with Moraine Park. The lab was made possible by a donation from ThedaCare and a generous grant from the ThedaCare Foundation. The lab includes two hospital beds, nursing supplies and curriculum materials for up to ten students per semester to become Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA).

The partnership between Moraine Park and Berlin High School creates opportunities for students and assists health care employers in Green Lake County with finding certified employees.

“As the demand for qualified health care professionals, including certified nursing assistants, grows, we respond to that demand,” Moraine Park associate dean of health, Katie Hughes, said. “Offering the course at Berlin High School benefits the students as they can earn college credit and not have to travel, but it also benefits the community in that these students will complete their clinicals at Juliette Manor just across the street and many undoubtedly will be hired to work there or at other local agencies.”

Moraine Park Nursing Instructor and program director, Anne Deacy, provided guidance to Berlin High School on the required equipment and supplies for the room and for the students. Moraine Park also assisted in finding the instructor for the course, finding a clinical site location, having the room approved by the state, and registering the students for the program; which included helping the students to complete the clinical site’s required paperwork such as background checks, immunization paperwork and applications. 

“The Nursing Assistant program provides the students with an opportunity to get a sneak peek into the health care field,” Moraine Park K12 partnership coordinator, Beth Roehl, said. “Students can use this certification and be employed as a nursing assistant or they can use this certification as a building block to prepare them for a future career in health care.”

Moraine Park has several health care programs that a student can move on to after becoming a CNA such as Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Radiography, Nursing – with an exit point of LPN or RN, Surgical Technology, Medical Assistant or Respiratory Therapy. 

“There is a high demand for health care workers, and Moraine Park’s role is to bridge the gap between employers and high school students by viewing them as future employees,” Roehl said. “We will continue to work with high schools to assist students who foresee a future for themselves in health care.”

Moraine Park partners with 27 district high schools to offer a variety of coursework in health care, business, information technology, trades and manufacturing. To learn more about dual credit opportunities, visit www.morainepark.edu/academics/k-12-resources/.

Written by Moraine Park Nursing student, Sara Henthorn

Think back to when you were just starting your senior year of high school; pondering what colleges those applications should be filled out for. I was ecstatic writing down my accomplishments and hitting the submit button. A few weeks went by, and I got that envelope in the mail that I had been waiting for–I was accepted into UW-Parkside. I graduated high school that following May in 2005 and thought in a little over two years from then that I would be graduating college, too. Well, life decided it had other plans for me. Plans that were total surprises and made me push back my academic career by 17 years.

First Go-Round

I arrived at Parkside that Fall day and thought, “This is it, time to buckle down, I got this!” Besides being a full-time student, I also had to work full-time to help pay for school. That alone was very overwhelming for me, as I have never had a full-time job before. I tried so hard to juggle all my classes and my job, but it was harder than I thought. I struggled in all of my classes and could not keep up with the assignments.  The first semester was HORRIBLE. During Winter break, I made the decision to try and tough it out until summer.  I moved out of the dorms (with hopes to save money, and maybe not have to work so much), and ended up living with my grandma. I also changed jobs but was still working 40+ hours a week. I honestly just could not catch a break. I finally hit my breaking point and just gave up. I stopped going to classes and turning in homework. I realized I just was not ready for the responsibility of college life.

Baby Dolls and Brains

After the realization that college just was not for me at that time, I decided I needed to find a good-paying full-time job. I ended up seeing an ad in the paper for a CNA class and thought “job security!” I took the class, passed the test, and there I was–19 years old and working 50+ hours a week at a nursing home in Fond du Lac. I commuted from Wild Rose for about two years and then relocated to Oshkosh. I worked at that same nursing home for seven years, but during that time something major happened. In 2011, my boyfriend and I found out that I was pregnant. I continued to work as a CNA up until the day before my water broke. The months after my baby girl was born, I had a huge awakening. I wanted to give my daughter the best life that I could, and the pay for a nurse’s aide was not going to make that happen. I enrolled at Fox Valley Technical College for their nursing program. Shortly after that, my boyfriend and I broke up, and there I was, raising a young child on my own and just starting college again. I thought I had all my ducks in a row, but once again life had other plans for me. I took quite a few online classes so that I could work and take care of her, but trying to manage all of that on my own turned into instant failure.

Hiatus 

Many years went by after I dropped out of college for the second time. I felt like such a failure and had no intentions of returning after that. I thought life had beaten me down, so I was just going to go with it. I worked my butt off as a CNA to provide for my daughter and me, but deep down I knew there was more that I wanted to accomplish in life. In 2015, I reconnected with my now husband.  We used to work together back in 2010 at a nursing home, and he knew how much I wanted to become a nurse. We talked about me returning to school, but financially there was just no way at the time. So, once again, I sucked it up and kept on working as an aide. Little did I know, 2021 would be a life-changing year for my family and me.

Motivation, determination, and a little bit of luck!

A friend of mine worked for the company that I am now employed with. She told me about all the perks of making my own schedule and being my own boss. But her last comment to me was a life changer. She said, “If you wanted to go back to school, you are able to write off your tuition as a business expense, as it will be bettering your business.”  I had an AH-HA moment. The financial burden of school was always a weighing factor for us, and now I could finally catch a break. Yes, we would have to pay for the classes up front, but we would get it back on our taxes.  I told my husband that now would be the perfect time for me to finish up my schooling. The flexibility of my job finally lets me do this. I applied to Moraine Park’s Nursing program, and when it was time to pick classes, I felt like a kid in a candy store.  My dream is finally coming true, and this time I have all the support that I need.

Conclusion

The road to getting where I am today was not an easy one. I went from feeling like a complete failure to now having so much confidence and hope that I can do it this time. I am now 18 years older than I was the first time I went to college and have learned so much along the way. I am doing very well in all of my classes, and the driving force that keeps me inspired is the constant encouragement I get from my daughter. I want her to know it is never too late to pursue your dream.

Written by Moraine Park Nursing student, Sara Henthorn

December 16 is a momentous day for our fall 2022 graduates. For one student in particular, this day has been long-anticipated.

Colleen Hoth-Jaquet, of Horicon, started her journey into healthcare as a lifeguard when she was very young. Even after a knee injury and knowing healthcare requires standing for long periods of time, she still wanted to continue, but that was not the only obstacle she would face.

Growing up, Colleen never thought she was smart enough to pursue nursing, and she did not have the support to even consider the possibility. So, she found success doing other things. She became an art teacher for the Girls and Boy’s Club, worked in aquatics, and worked at a youth camp. Eventually, she came to Moraine Park to pursue the Medical Assistant program and began working as a LPN at Aurora Health in the Urgent Care unit. 

“I love helping people and showing them they have a support system in a place that can be really scary,” Hoth-Jaquet said. “I especially love working with kids and teaching them that being hurt is only temporary.”

In 2020, she returned to Moraine Park to pursue a degree in nursing. After graduation, she hopes to transition to an RN and eventually earn her bachelor’s degree.

“I want to show my kids that wherever they’re at in life, they can always achieve their goals,” Hoth-Jaquet said.

Congratulations to all of our fall 2022 graduates!

Last week, Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) nursing students partnered with Oakfield Elementary School to teach K-5 students the importance of hand hygiene and germ control.

The event was coordinated by MPTC Nursing Instructor, Casey Truse, and Oakfield Elementary School Nurse, Mekenzie Bowe. The six participating nursing students from Truse’s class included Nick Santiago of Kenosha, Paige Fraley of Hartford, Kendra Smith of Hartford, Michael Boyd of Manteno, Kali Herrick of Horicon and Kasey Butcher of West Bend.

The students each presented individually to two classrooms. They were given three weeks to prepare their presentations and cater their approach to their assigned grade levels ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade.

“We do a teaching project every semester in this clinical, and they typically present to each other on some type of key learning they attained,” Truse said. “Being able to get out into the community again since the onset of the pandemic is great.”

The presentations went over how to properly wash your hands and what can happen if you let germs linger. Some of the presentations included books and songs about handwashing and experiments using glitter, pepper, and more.

“Hand hygiene and germ control is super important for our students to learn going into flu season,” Oakfield Elementary School Nurse, Mekenzie Bowe, said. “We always try to reinforce the importance of handwashing, but learning it today in such a fun, engaging way is much more impactful for our students.”

MPTC nursing student, Nick Santiago, demonstrated the impact of hand washing by bringing in petri dishes with samples he took from his own hands. The samples showed the amount of bacteria that can grow after washing your hands properly, washing with just cold water, and not washing at all. 

“The germs were nasty,” an Oakfield Elementary fifth grader said about the experience. “Not washing your hands makes way more germs than when you wash your hands with hot water.”

In November, Truse’s nursing students partnered with Oakfield School District to assist with hearing and vision screening. They were asked to come back and work with the students again–this time with a focus on teaching them.

“It is important for students to learn how to adapt clinical care across the lifespan ranging from pediatrics to geriatrics,” Truse said. “We as a nursing program love for students to have interactions and experiences with people of all ages. Our goal is to continue partnering with schools within our communities to create impactful learning experiences for all.”

Oakfield Elementary is Truse’s hometown elementary school, so the partnership between the schools brings her education-to-teaching journey full circle.

“Being back in Oakfield and working with such an amazing district is an honor,” Truse said. “Walking the halls of the schools I once attended, seeing familiar faces that shaped my own childhood education, and guiding our nursing students through such a neat experience was all around incredibly rewarding.”

View more photos at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjAiiKA.

On October 3, 2022, MPTC Fond du Lac Medical Assistant students visited Boys and Girls Club of Fond du Lac kids for a fun, interactive Dream Big event.

The Dream Big project started in 2017 with Fond du Lac, Tri-County Area and Washington County Boys and Girls Club teens learning more about the over 100 careers available through MPTC. Each semester, Moraine Park student volunteers showcase their programs and make a true community impact for area teens to get excited about career choices!

MPTC Medical Assistant Student Kalli Behling said, “Working with The Boys and Girls Club was such an amazing experience. The Dream Big program allowed us to share our college experience with the younger generation. They were super interested in what we were learning and had a blast with the hands-on portion of our day. It was such an incredible feeling to see how excited they were to do blood pressures with us and use stethoscopes. I was once a Boy’s and Girl’s Club member, so coming back as one of the mentors was a very heart-warming experience. We really enjoyed working with all of the kids.”

Boys and Girls Club of Fond du Lac Director of Teen Services Dillon Wiese said, “Our kids love learning from Moraine Park students! We are always looking for opportunities to inspire our youth and encourage learning about future careers. Thank you MPTC!” 

For more info on the Medical Assistant program at Moraine Park, visit morainepark.edu/academics/programs/medical-assistant/.

Last week, the Kewaskum and West Bend High School Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) class, held at Moraine Park’s West Bend campus, participated in a combined educational opportunity with the West Bend Fire Department and Flight for Life, a critical care air medical transport program out of Waukesha.

During the class, students were able to observe the Flight for Life helicopter landing and the appropriate setup of the landing zone. Students were taught the different aeromedical needs for patients and were provided time to inspect the aircraft and ask the flight crew questions about operations and patient care.

“These educational opportunities enhance the students learning with field observation,” Moraine Park Paramedic Instructor, Andrew Novak, said. “Educational opportunities like this would not exist without our strong partnerships with our local departments.”

Yadira and Guadalupe Ortiz, of Horicon, grew up understanding the importance of family. In 2000, their mother immigrated from Mexico to the United States while pregnant to create a better life for herself and her children.

The sisters are two years apart and the first in their family to be born in the United States. With unwavering support from their mom, Yadira and Guadalupe promised each other they would do everything they could to create better, brighter futures for themselves.

“We are able to decide what we do in our lives because of our mom and the sacrifices she made for us,” Guadalupe said. “She changed her life coming to the United States, and we want to work as hard as we can to provide a better life for ourselves and for her.”

Yadira, 20, is a second-year student in Moraine Park’s Nursing program, and Guadalupe, 18, started her first semester of the Substance Abuse Disorder Counseling program this spring.

The sisters grew up sharing a very close bond and have supported each other through hard times and major accomplishments. When it was time for Yadira to begin thinking about college, an interest in nursing brought her to Moraine Park.

“When I was younger, I had high cholesterol, so I was in and out of hospitals and doctors’ offices,” Yadira said. “That was my first exposure to the healthcare industry, and it always stuck with me. I wanted to help people, and I knew I wanted to stay close to home, so Moraine Park was the obvious choice for me.”

Yadira works at Marquardt Home Health as a CNA and plans to pursue her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) after graduation and work in women’s health. She is also a part of Moraine Park’s Promise program, an opportunity for debt-free tuition. As part of the program requirements, Yadira volunteers with her sister at various places and events in her community including, the Fond du Lac Taste of Mexico Festival, Humane Society and MPTC events.

“The volunteer hours have really helped with my shyness, and I feel more like myself than I ever have before,” Yadira said. “The Promise program has not only helped me afford tuition, but it has also given me amazing mentors who helped guide me as a first-generation college student.”

When it came time for Guadalupe to decide what she wanted to do after high school, it was not as easy. She considered going into counseling because she wanted to enter a career where she could help people, and her friends always said she gave the best advice.

“I got discouraged because I started having mental health problems of my own,” Guadalupe said. “I thought since I could not handle my own issues, I would not be able to help anyone else.”

After learning about Moraine Park’s Substance Abuse Disorder Counseling program and talking with supportive friends and family, she felt confident that it was the right path for her. “Being a first-generation college student would not have been so easy if it were not for my sister,” Guadalupe said. “She had it way harder than me because she had to navigate through everything first, like financial aid, applications and more. When it came time for me to start my college career, my sister helped me through every step of the way, and I am very grateful for her.”

Read more stories like Guadalupe and Yadira’s in our Spring 2022 NEXT Magazine.

Donald Shono, of Rubicon, found Moraine Park after serving in the United States Air Force Security Forces for six years. In 2011, he decided to end his active-duty service after experiencing a decline in his mental health.

Shono served in the 2nd Air Force Security Forces Squadron and had one deployment to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served his last year with the Barksdale Air Force Base Honor Guard.

“The Security Forces Squadron was not my first choice, but it gave me the opportunity to join within a month of enlisting, and I didn’t want to wait,” Shono said. “I had an interest in law enforcement at the time, so it was not a difficult choice.”

Security Forces is an Air Force Special Forces unit that provides base security, law enforcement and an infantry force; the Base Honor Guard conducts ceremonial events such as local veteran funeral services and base award ceremonies.

“I joined the service because I felt I needed to do something more with my life that was bigger than myself and something I felt truly mattered, but eventually, my mental health needed to become a priority,” he said.

When he returned home, Shono began researching ways to heal his mind and body. In 2013, he started working as a massage therapist at a spa in Slinger, WI. He worked there for three years before moving to Spotsylvania, VA, where he continued his career for five years.

During the pandemic, Shono moved home to be closer to family. Since he was already working in a health and wellness career, he decided to use his time at home to further his education.

Shono enrolled in Moraine Park’s Health and Wellness program and attended his first semester classes on the West Bend Campus in fall 2021.

“I chose Moraine Park because it was one of the only schools that offered the path to health and wellness I was looking for,” Shono said. “I am really happy with my experience so far and cannot wait to see what the future has in store.”

After receiving his associate degree, he plans to become certified as a health coach and personal trainer to expand his career opportunities.

My time in the military was really stressful and took a big toll on me mentally,” Shono said “I am pursuing health and wellness because I want to heal myself and help others do the same.”

Shono is involved in the West Bend Health and Wellness Club. Outside of school, he enjoys staying active, hiking and spending time with his family.

“Looking back on my time in the service–it is not all good memories,” Shono said. “I am really grateful to Moraine Park for opening me up to a new way of thinking and caring for myself.”

Read more stories like Donald’s in our Spring 2022 NEXT Magazine.

Jackie Fuller, of Theresa, graduated from Moraine Park’s Cosmetology program in 2002. She worked as a hairstylist at Cedar Community Assisted Living in West Bend for 11 years until a new passion led her back through Moraine Park’s doors.

At Cedar Community, Fuller fell in love with transforming people’s hair and putting smiles on the residents’ faces, especially in hard times. Eventually, watching residents fall ill and experiencing loss in her own family took a toll, and she realized she was destined to do more.

“By the time I was 27, I had lost both of my parents,” Fuller said. “Watching them get sick without knowing how to help was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. Being so young and not having my parents was, and still is, a challenge. I felt driven to learn how to help people in their time of need.”

Fuller enrolled in Moraine Park’s Nursing program in 2020 and will graduate in December. Since starting the program, she has become the vice president of the Student Nursing Association and a member of the Beaver Dam Campus Student Senate.

Outside of school, Fuller enjoys spending time with her family. She has a fiancé and two teenage sons. The boys both fully support their mom going back to school and love to help her study with flashcards and quizzes.

“My kids are getting older,” she said. “I want to be able to show them they can be anything they want to be and that it’s never too late.”

Fuller was recently hired at Froedtert in West Bend where she works as a critical care technician. After she graduates, she will stay at Froedtert as a nurse and plans to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). She still tends to her first passion by keeping her cosmetology license up to date.

“From my first appointment at Moraine Park, I was encouraged to make steps forward in my career,” Fuller said. “It took me a while to push through those doors, but I am so glad I did. Moraine Park has been there every step of the way, allowing me to explore both of my passions.”

Thank you, Frontline Workers.

It’s no secret frontline workers fuel the economy. Each year, more than 1,000 Moraine Park alumni enter the workforce and make an impact on local industries and current worker shortages. We are incredibly proud of the many alumni in our communities and the passionate work they do to keep us moving forward.

For more stories like Jackie’s, check out our Spring 2022 NEXT Magazine.