This pathway is designed to prepare students to pursue careers in the field of nursing. As with the other pathways in Health Science, this pathway is beneficial to anyone interested in any career in healthcare. Students learn to implement communication and interpersonal skills, maintain residents’ rights and independence, provide care safely, prevent emergency situations, prevent infection through infection control, and perform basic medical skills. This program provides the student with experiences and real-life scenarios focused on problem solving and interaction among peers and industry professionals. Students gain the technical and 21st century skills necessary to be successful in their chosen healthcare career. During this pathway students will be certified in OSHA for healthcare workers, BLS, and CNA.

Ballad Health is the major employer of healthcare workers in our area. Ballad serves 29 counties with 21 hospitals employing just over 6,000 healthcare workers. Other medical employers in the area include Holston Medical Group, State of Franklin Healthcare Associates, and other independent medical providers.

• Physician - $210,000-$368,000 (requires 12-16 years post grad training)

• Registered nurse - $60,000-$162,000 (requires 2-6 years post grad training)

• CNA - $27,000-$33,000 (can be obtained in high school)

• Pharmacist - $120,000-$180,000 (requires 8 years post grad training)

• Pharmacy tech - $24,000-$46,000 (can be obtained in high school)

• Physical therapist - $72,000-$140,000 (requires 8 years post grad training)

• Physical therapy assistant - $46,000-$100,000 (requires 2-4 years post grad training)

• Personal trainer/athletic trainer - $32,000-$56,000 (requires 2-4 years post grad training)

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA10) Health Science

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Through a partnership with Ballad Health, students have a NEW opportunity to earn a CNA Certification by taking two classes spring semester during third and fourth periods. Students who have met all the requirements per the State of Tennessee and Ballad will be eligible to test for CNA certification.

The enrollment process prior to the class starting takes about two months beginning in August and requires the following:

• Students must be at least 17 years old and within six months of graduation when the course starts in January.

• Background check with parent/ guardian signature; Free through Ballad.

• Physical with parent/guardian signature; Free through Ballad.

Clinicals consist of the following:

• 22 hours of skills lab practice (at Ballad; Can be arranged in field trips)

• 40 hours of clinical time (at approved sites which can be arranged in field trips); 2 days (16 hours) must be at Wexford House in Kingsport and the rest (24 hours) at Bristol Regional Medical Center

• CNA Test (in Johnson City-field trip)

With a passing test score, student earns college credit at Northeast State in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (EMPT 1015)