College of Technology Practical Nursing Students Volunteer at Local Flu Shot Clinics

These clinics, hosted at  Portneuf Medical Center (PMC) and Power County Hospital, focus on vaccinating healthcare workers to help keep local hospitals running safely and efficiently through flu season.

This experience allows students to apply their classroom knowledge in a real healthcare environment while actively contributing to community wellness.“Being able to do multiple shots in a short period of time and being able to observe patient reactions and obtain feedback will be helpful for them moving forward”, said RayDel Gardner the risk director and occupational health manager at PMC. “As a bonus, it helps the hospital to ensure staff and patient health by addressing preventable illnesses.”

“Hands-on experiences such as flu shot clinics allow the students to put what they are learning in the classroom and laboratory setting into practice”, said Jennifer Briggs, coordinator and clinical senior instructor for the PN program. “This helps the students experience the real-life application of nursing skills and theory while in a supervised setting.”  

Immersive learning is a defining feature of the College of Technology’s nursing pathways. In the PN program, students begin clinical experiences within just five weeks of starting classes. Small class sizes provide individualized instruction and mentorship, helping students build a strong foundation early in their training. Students in this program also benefit from an advanced Skills Learning Lab and state-of-the-art Simulation Center, where they practice critical nursing procedures using lifelike manikins that respond to treatment. This high-fidelity environment offers a safe space for students to develop and refine their clinical judgment before working with patients.

“I chose the College of Technology's LPN program because of the nurses I have worked under that have come out of the program”, said Alexis Hale, a current student in the PN program. “The influence they have given me, and the drive to be as great as they are one day. The hands-on approach has helped me in my journey as a nursing student to apply the knowledge that has been taught to me before practicing it in the field. This has given me confidence in my skills before practicing it in the real world setting.” 

The Practical Nursing program is part of a career ladder within the College of Technology that helps students progress from Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) to Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) then on to Associate Degree Registered Nurse (ADRN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) pathways. This structure allows students to enter the workforce sooner—often as LPNs—while continuing their education.

“I chose the College of Technology’s LPN program because I liked the idea of the progressive ladder from CNA to LPN to ADRN”, said Emma Grimmett, a current student in the PN program. “The ladder makes it so that I can get more direct hands-on experience versus other programs such as the BSN program. The hands-on approach to me is especially important because I feel like I understand the material more that way.” 

This step-by-step approach allows students to build their careers through experiential learning in real healthcare environments. Each credential serves as a meaningful stepping stone, offering valuable experience and potential income opportunities while students pursue their next educational goal. With the demand for nurses continuing to grow across Idaho and the nation, the PN program provides a strong pathway for students ready to enter the workforce and begin a meaningful career in health care.

“The goal of the LPN program is to prepare students and graduates with the knowledge base and skills necessary to work as an LPN in a variety of patient care settings”, explained Briggs. “We prepare students using a rigorous curriculum that includes nursing theory, teaching hands-on skills, and using realistic patient care scenarios in our state of the art simulation lab. Students also gain experience in clinical settings such as clinics, long-term care facilities, and local hospitals.” 

For more information on how to become workforce ready through the Practical Nursing program in the College of Technology visit www.isu.edu/practicalnursing.