Sandusky Career Center launches new nursing program

SANDUSKY — Area health care employees don't need to travel far to further their education. Last month, Sandusky Career Center launched its 45-week Licensed Practical Nurse to Register Nurse classes for adults, which provides training for students to become registered nurses through simulations, clinicals and skills lab experiences.The program, which began Jan. 8, runs until mid-November. Students can be full-time or part-time, the latter of which takes two years to complete. It's one of about 10 similar programs in Ohio, program director Elizabeth Moots said.The process of writing and gaining approval for the program took 15 months from the Ohio Board of Nursing, the Ohio Board of Higher Education and the Council of Occupational Education.Program instructor Ashley Klonk shows a student how to properly care for a wound Thursday morning during Sandusky Career Center's LPN to RN program. The inaugural class of 42 students includes recent graduates of the career center's LPN program to those with 25 years of experience working in a jail, mental health, among other areas. About 23 students graduated from the career center's practical nursing program and nine students graduated from Sandusky Schools, Moots said.Multiple students come from outside Erie County while many work at Firelands Regional Medical Center in Sandusky or Fisher-Titus Medical Center in Norwalk.In addition to the aforementioned hospitals, clinical sites include the Bellevue Hospital, Parkvue Nursing home in Perkins Township or at the Meadows at Osborn Park in Huron. Students will also present at health fairs to educate the public on specific topics."They've been very generous with making sure students have experience," Moots said about the local health care facilities. A student pretends to care for a patient's wound during LPN to RN class on Thursday at the Sandusky Career Center. Additionally, the Mylander Foundation paid for computer equipment for simulations and a large television in classroom. Sandusky Schools also purchased program equipment."We're lucky to have the administration we have that supports us, Moots said.Including tuition, books and supplies, the program costs almost $16,000, but some employers pay for their employee's education. The program also pays for the National Council Licensure Examination, a test students must pass to become registered nurses. As a first-year director, Moots enjoys leading the program."It's very rewarding," she said. "I know they're setting an example for their peers and kids at home. They wouldn't be here if they weren't passionate."Leslie Williams, who works at the Meadows at Osborn Park, previously had Moots for LPN classes at Sandusky Career Center. "Financially, it's a good program," she said. "When I heard she was teaching for this, I definitely wanted to sign up."Steve Jagel, who works in Firelands' psychiatric department, also had LPN classes at the career center and knew Moots from high school."It's very demanding but it's worth it," he said about the RN program. "They're getting me ready for where I want to be as a nurse."LPN to RN student Ashley Tyler demonstrates her knowledge on wound care during class at the Sandusky Career Center on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018. Want to enroll?• For more information or to enroll for next year's class, contact Elizabeth Moots at 419-984-1870 or at emoots@scs-k12.net. Applications will be mailed in May to a list of interested students.• Find more information on the program at scs-k12.net. Reach reporter Caitlin Nearhood at nearhood@sanduskyregister.com, follow her on Twitter @CaitlinNearhood and on Facebook.com/CaitliNearhoodStudents watch as instructor Vanessa Link teaches how to properly care for a wound during the LPN to RN class on Thursday at the Sandusky Career Center.