After months of practicing patient care skills in the classroom, students in River Ridge HS' 2014-15 Nursing Assistant Program will use these skills in local nursing and medical facilities for 40 hours of clinical rotation. It will be their first clinical rotation. Following these hours, students will take the Nursing Assistant State Certification Exam as the culmination of this Healthcare Science Career Pathway Program.

This is the third year that River Ridge HS has offered the program, which has quickly grown in popularity. "I've learned valuable skills that I will continue to use in my future medical career," said Hayden Kolodziejcyk, a junior. Senior Andrew Dionne said the program is not only a "rewarding experience" but also has made him more aware of future career opportunities in the healthcare field.