LPN STUDENTS COMMITTED TO PROGRAM

Todd Alexander, one of two men enrolled in the Cape Girardeau Area Vocational-Technical School of Practical Nursing, is excited about being able to participate in the program.

"We have quality educators who are producing quality education," he said. "Once you have graduated from this program, you are considered a quality LPN."

The aim of the school is to prepare competent entry-level practical nurses to help meet the nursing needs of the community. Upon successful completion of this one-year program, the graduate is eligible to take the licensure examination to become a licensed practical nurse. LPNs can work in a variety of health care settings including hospitals, nursing homes, home health agencies and doctor's offices. The practical nursing program is fully accredited through the Missouri State Board of Nursing. The academic standards of the program are also accredited through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

As of Sept. 29, 327 students had graduated from the program. Class number 21 is currently in session, with 22 women and two men enrolled. Graduation is scheduled for Sept. 28.

Applications are being accepted for class number 22, which is scheduled to begin Oct. 2. The admissions committee will make selections May 30.

This program has a very low drop-out ratio, which the students attribute to the average age. The average age of this class is 29. The average age of the class is usually 34.

"We are non-traditional students," Patty Niswonger said. "At this point in life, we know what we want."

"You are more determined to achieve your career goals at this age," added Staci Rebert. "My mother went through the program about three years ago. She really liked the program and learned a lot. She encouraged me to join."

Many students in the program sacrifice to attend school. "A lot of us have families and jobs," Terry Tobin said. "That makes us more determined to stay. I work in Cape and in St. Louis and I am a single parent of two sons. Sleeping is on hold. After Sept. 28, graduation date, I will sleep and come out of my room so my children can see me."

Tobin was the recipient of a scholarship from PEO. Financial assistance is available in the form of scholarships, grants and loans.

Bobbi Wissmann received a scholarship from Church Women United.

Angela Penrose said she could not have enrolled in the program without financial aid. She considers herself lucky to receive aid from the Futures program and SynTech Inc. "I lost my job at a factory and drew out all of my employment compensation," she explained. "I found myself on welfare. SynTech, funded by the Missouri Private Industry Council, provides help for very low income students. The Futures program is a state program for single mothers. I could have gone to school only with help from these two programs."

Carol Eaker-Kranawetter, coordinator for the school of practical nursing, said that the decision to enter the program usually involves a career change for the participants. "A student last year quit his job to go to school. He not only lost his income, but he also had to pay to go to school. We had a wonderful woman who worked for years at Brown Shoe Co. The plant closed and she was devastated. She was able to get money and retrain through our program.

"Another lady made locks for years in Sikeston," Eaker-Kranawetter said. "She decided that she wanted to do this, and she did it. She now works at a hospital in Sikeston. A guy had been in the Marines for a number of years. He is working at St. Francis now. We had a lady who turned 65 while in our program. She does private duty now."

Eaker-Kranawetter said many students are skeptical about entering the school, because they are made aware that it is a very strenuous year. "Once the students are selected, I visit with each one during the summer. I ask them if they are sure that we are what they want. I want them to think carefully and not have any surprises. We have a very short amount of time to cover an enormous amount of work, and students must know up front what we expect of them."

Learning experiences take place in the classroom and laboratory settings with supervised clinical practice in affiliated hospitals and agencies. Classroom hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Clinical hours vary. Some 52 percent of the time is spent in the classroom environment and 48 percent is in a clinical environment.

"We have wonderful help and participation from St. Francis Medical Center, Southeast Missouri Hospital and the Lutheran Home," Eaker-Kranawetter said. "They cooperate with us on almost anything we want to do."

Many of the students enrolled in the LPN program plan to become registered nurses. Alexander said this is a major step toward his educational goal of getting his bachelor's degree in nursing.

Whatever their goals, the students are committed to the program. "An entire class has never graduated," Niswonger said. "We are determined to be that first class."