Clark State debuts renovated STNA lab

Clark State Community College introduced the public to its newly renovated State Tested Nurse Aid laboratory on Friday afternoon.

Renovations to the lab for the STNA program began in December with funding provided in part by the Springfield Foundation.

“We had some funds from way back to when the school of nursing closed at the community hospital and the funds were transferred over to us and we had an endowment that was sitting that could be used in a nursing area, so we decided to put those funds to use,” Ted Vander Roest, Executive Director of the Springfield Foundation said.

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The renovations to the new lab space, located on Clark State’s main campus in Springfield, include additional sinks, general updates like new tables, chairs and the repositioning of the room, IT equipment and new lab supplies.

“The previous lab was a converted, small classroom in the Brinkman Center that only had a capacity of 8 students,” said Bobbi Mills, program coordinator for Clark State’s Workforce and Business Solutions. “Moving to this space will allow for the maximum number of students to double to 16, giving us an opportunity to train more individuals and serve our business clients better. This lab also supports a better learning environment by combining the classroom and lab spaces.”

Clark State’s 75-hour State Tested Nurse Aid program introduces students to the principals and procedures of basic patient care, according to Clark State.

The course is regulated by the Ohio Department of Health and 100 percent attendance is required to pass. Students are also given both classroom and clinical experience.

Prior to entering the clinical rotation, an average of 80% or higher is required on quizzes and the final exam. Each student must also pass a two-step TB test and a criminal background check.

Upon completing the course, students are eligible to sit for the Ohio nurse aide exam.

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