Cristo Rey's Nursing Initiative Fund
Cristo Rey + Nursing: Two Opportunities for an in-demand career path: In-School Nurse and CNA Program Track
Cristo Rey Jesuit High School has two opportunities that could significantly impact the well-being and success of our students.
NEW CNA PARTNERSHIP WITH DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY
Cristo Rey Jesuit and Dominican University are thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership that allows Cristo Rey students to participate in Dominican’s Basic Nurse Assistant Training Program (BNATP) alongside their high school curriculum. Successful completion of the program enables students to sit for the Illinois Nurse Assistant/Aide Competency Exam (NACE), leading to certification on the Illinois Department of Public Health's Health Care Worker Registry as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).
Benefits of the CNA Program
Earning a CNA license while in high school offers numerous benefits for students, setting them on a promising career path and providing valuable skills and experiences.
- Early Career Exploration: Students can begin working in the healthcare field immediately, gaining practical experience at an early age. The healthcare industry consistently needs CNAs, ensuring a stable job market with high demand for qualified professionals.
- Professional Experience: In the tradition of Cristo Rey’s Corporate Work Study Program, working as a CNA provides hands-on experience in patient care, valuable for any future healthcare career, including nursing, medicine, or allied health professions. Additionally, students can build relationships with professionals in the field, leading to mentorship opportunities and future job prospects.
- Enhanced College Applications: Having a CNA license demonstrates dedication, hard work, and a clear interest in healthcare, making college applications stand out.
- Financial Benefits: During the summer months, students can earn a competitive salary as CNAs, helping to pay for further education or personal expenses.
- Skill Development: CNAs develop critical skills such as patient care, communication, empathy, time management, and problem-solving, which are valuable in any profession. The responsibilities and experiences of working as a CNA foster maturity, responsibility, and a strong work ethic in young individuals.
- Pathway to Advanced Roles: Starting as a CNA can be a stepping stone to more advanced healthcare roles. Many programs offer career ladders from CNA to Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Registered Nurse (RN).
- Understanding of Healthcare: Early exposure to the healthcare environment helps students decide if a healthcare career is the right fit for them before committing to more extensive education and training.
- Community Impact: By working as CNAs, students contribute positively to their communities, providing essential care and support to those in need.
The cost to educate one Cristo Rey Jesuit student in the CNA program is $2,000. This expense is not covered by current tuition costs, and families are not asked to pay additional amounts for the program. We rely on generous donations to make this program successful. Your support can help provide these students with a valuable opportunity to gain essential skills and start a promising career in healthcare.
Please consider making a donation to support the CNA program and help our students achieve their goals. Every contribution makes a significant difference.
IN-SCHOOL NURSE
At Cristo Rey Jesuit we are committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment for all of our students. As part of this commitment, we recognize the critical role that a full-time school nurse plays in maintaining the health and wellness of our school community. In Spring 2024 as a result of a funding initiative made possible by a generous donor, a part-time school nurse was employed at CR. A school nurse provides essential services, including:
- Daily health care: Managing chronic conditions, administering medications, and providing first aid.
- Health education: Teaching students about healthy lifestyle choices and illness prevention.
- Emergency response: Handling medical emergencies promptly and efficiently.
We believe that having a nurse on staff is not just a luxury, but a necessity for our students' health and academic success. To make this a reality, we need to raise needed funds to cover the annual cost of employing a school nurse.
Your generous donation can make a significant difference. By contributing to this initiative, you will help ensure that our students receive the medical attention they need and deserve, allowing them to focus on their studies and thrive in a healthy environment.
Help Fund a School Nurse Today