Kimberley Mullan’s second career as a secondary school teacher offers her a unique chance to share experience from her nursing career with potential future caregivers as one of the leads in the Health and Wellness Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program at Burlington’s Nelson High School.
“We have our students go on these adventures and expose them to all these opportunities,” Kimberley says, following a tour she’s taken through both long-term care and the retirement Main Street at The Village of Tansley Woods with four of her students. Through a new partnership between the school and the Village, these SHSM students are exposed to the seniors living sector and their minds are opened to career paths they may never have considered.
“I absolutely love it,” Kimberley says, considering her first visit to the Village. “It’s beautiful; everything’s so well put together and taken care of.”
She explains that as part of the program, students have also had weekly connections with isolated seniors through a community group, and the social connections they see at Tansley Woods is the exact opposite of the loneliness they’ve seen some people experiencing in community.
“The fact that there’s a huge focus on social life here is incredible, because we see the other end of it and how detrimental it is to overall health for those seniors,” Kimberley says. That experience will potentially have a big impact on the students, she adds.
During the tour of the LTC Main Street, the students have the chance to see a “Mother Goose” group in action alongside a few residents doting over the young mothers and babies sitting in a circle in the gym. They then have a chance to speak with Carolyn, a resident who is asked about her favourite aspect of Village Life.
“The fact that you can make friends in here is the major change,” Carolyn says she experienced after moving in “and that’s what my son and I were looking for. He looked at 18 places and he found this place to be the friendliest, and I’m finding that too. I’m really thrilled with living here.”
Throughout the day, the students meet many residents and team members and learn about life in the Village, before brainstorming different creative ideas to enhance engagement among residents. They suggest resident talent shows, international potluck days to celebrate diversity, and technology workshops, much to the delight of the residents who’ve gathered as an audience.
During a quiet moment before the pitches begin, a few of the students reflect on the SHSM program and what they’ve learned through their visit to Tansley Woods.
“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” says Hitva. “I wanted to see if I liked health care, because I ruled out tech in Grade 10, so I decided to take this course and see if I actually like it and I came here and I decided yes, this is what I want to do.”
Hitva’s friend, Cassie, nods her head in agreement.
“I knew I wanted to get into health care, Cassie says, “but I didn’t really know what was in health care so I wanted to open up options.”
It’s just as their teacher, Kimberley had explained; the students go on adventures and explore possibilities and their eyes are opened to what could be. At a time when the demand for healthcare workers has never been greater, partnerships between Schlegel Villages and SHSM programs like the one at Nelson are more important than ever.
For more information on SHSM of any other student opportunities at Schlegel Villages, please contact Christine.Bruder@schlegelvillages.com.
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