Joliet Junior College Nursing Students Complete Clinical Hours

JOLIET, IL - Margaret Dongas was scheduled to finish her CNA program in May. But when coronavirus shut things down in March, she knew there was going to be a delay. The Joliet resident finished her clinical work on Aug. 3 and from that point she and 56 other nursing students from Joliet Junior College can sit for their exams. This completion was possible due to a partnership between JJC and Smith Crossing in Orland Park.

Smith Crossing offers independent living apartments and villas, assisted living and memory care residences, short-term stay rehab suites and skilled nursing care rooms for more than 300 older adults. The collaboration between Smith Crossing and JJC began in August 2018 when the leaders of the care facility met with the late Will County Executive Larry Walsh.

“In May of 2020, Smith Crossing and JJC began exploring how to decide when it would be safe for nursing students to complete their final 20 hours of clinical work in order to take the test for a CNA license,” a press release from Sheila King Public Relations, who represents Smith Crossing states. “All students follow Smith Crossing’s numerous practices designed to abate the spread of the virus; for instance, they were tested for COVID - 19 before entering the campus, they wear masks and all protective equipment, and when possible observe social distancing.”

The partnership also allowed the CNA students to be tested every week for Coronavirus and not have to pay out of pocket for the test.

Dongas already works in the healthcare field, as the Associate Director of the Will-Grundy Medical Clinic. She said her experience as a student has been excellent.

“It has been so well-managed,” she said. “We had to wait a little, but it was a mild inconvenience.

“From our perspective it was seamless.”

Behind the scenes, JJC Associate Professor of Health and Public Services Ferlinda L. Saveas said they had about two weeks to transition the instruction portion of the program back in March.

“They had the door halfway closed, but the window was open,” she said of the process for finding a way for students to complete their studies.

From their perspectives, the CNA students were grateful for the experience to continue working.

Katie Bochenek wants to eventually work in emergency medicine because she loves fast-paced working.

“It’s been interesting for sure,” she said. “Nothing goes to the plan in your head, but it’s good to have one.

“It’s just good to be on the floor and seeing everything and getting this first-hand experience.”

Before completing their clinical work at Smith Crossing, students in the CNA program had to improvise. They often had family member whom they lived with serve as volunteers.

Using videos, the students and their “patients” could receive feedback from professors on procedures and protocols. For Bochenek, her “patient” had first-hand knowledge of what she was doing because he mother is a nurse.

Both Dongas and Bochenek are continuing their education at JJC and plan to become registered nurses.