Falcon students get a head start on college

Falcon High School students pursuing nursing or emergency medical technician careers can jump start their education by enrolling in the Health Care Academy, a new D 49 program that offers college-level courses.ìWeíve been working with PPCC (Pikes Peak Community College) so that next fall we can teach college-level nursing and EMT courses right here at Falcon High School,î said Sandy Collins, director of secondary learning services for D 49. ìThere are so many students who want to get into nursing, but the nursing programs donít have enough open slots. Thereís a two-year waiting list for the nursing program at PPCC, but under our agreement with PPCC, PPCC is going to hold some slots for our Falcon kids, so they wonít have to wait to get started in the nursing program.îJuniors and seniors who enroll in the Health Care Academy will be able to register for the following courses:

• Medical terminology: a one semester, one-half credit course
• Health occupation/CAN: a one semester, one-half credit course that teaches basic nursing skills, restorative services, personal care skills, safety and emergency care. The course also covers mental health needs and patient rights. Upon completion of the course and graduation from high school, students will be eligible to take the CAN (certified nursing assistant) exam.
• EMS first responder: a one semester, one-half credit course offering the student core knowledge and skills to function as a first responder at the scene of an emergency, providing supportive care until advanced EMS help arrives.

Senior students are eligible to take EMT basic, a two-semester, one-credit course that prepares the student for the EMT certification examination.Lorraine Ours-Garcia, nurse and teacher at Falcon High School, will be teaching the medical terminology and health occupation/CAN courses. Teachers from PPCC will handle the EMS first responder and EMT basic courses. ìThe health occupation/CAN course will be limited to 10 students, as required by the state of Colorado. ìWe are still trying to figure out the maximum class sizes for the other three courses,î Ours-Garcia said. ìThe students are really excited about the program.îThe Health Care Academy is one of four career-oriented academies in D 49. Sand Creek High School has the Engineering Technology and Hospitality academies, and Falcon High School also has the Information Technology Academy.