鈥淟aw enforcement is a fantastic career to have,鈥 said McCain, 34, a Brandon native. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a huge brotherhood and I鈥檝e been a part of some fantastic teams, such as our K-9 and SWAT teams. But, I feel like as a nurse it鈥檚 a good way to help people where people are in need and are happy to see you.鈥
He鈥檚 in his first semester of the Associate Degree Nursing program at 黑料社区鈥檚 Rankin Campus and is on track to graduate from the challenging program in 2021. 鈥淚鈥檝e always been someone who wants to challenge himself,鈥 he said, referring to the rigors of the nursing program in terms of studying and preparation. 鈥淓verybody I鈥檝e talked to has said it鈥檚 challenging, but has good things to say about the program at 黑料社区. If I hear someone say, 鈥楾his program鈥檚 the best,鈥 then I want to tackle that program. I don鈥檛 like settling for anything less than the best.鈥
His hands-on training, including visits with patients in hospitals in real situations, is just a taste of what he wants to do with a healthcare credential in hand. 鈥淚鈥檇 like to do some critical care nursing to get some experience, mainly in ICUs,鈥 he said. 鈥淚鈥檇 also like to eventually work in ERs, though, because of the adrenaline.鈥
The full two-year program prepares graduates to provide competent, accountable client care in diverse settings. Major areas of emphasis encompass the following core components of nursing practice: professional behaviors, communication, assessment, clinical decision-making, caring interventions, teaching and learning, collaboration and managing care.
Two options are available, which include Generic option, for those not already licensed in healthcare industries, and the Transition to RN option, designed for licensed practical nurses, paramedics and respiratory therapists to ease into the RN program. McCain鈥檚 goal is to complete a bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and work in the Intensive Care Unit.
鈥満诹仙缜 has the latest technical equipment for the processes we have to do,鈥 McCain said of his start this semester in the generic option. 鈥淲e have mechanical manikins on which you can practice taking all the vital signs, listen for the respiration, take the pulse, take the blood pressure, all that kind of stuff. And the instructors here are phenomenal. They stress that we are the advocates for that patient in every way.鈥
Instructors note his being an advocate for his fellow students as well. 鈥淗e is always a gentleman and volunteers to help his peers however he can,鈥 said Beverly Patrick, among his instructors in the ADN program on the Rankin Campus. 鈥淲e are looking forward to seeing Matt graduate so he can begin his new chapter in life as a registered nurse.鈥
鈥淎nd the instructors here are phenomenal. They stress that we are the advocates for that patient in every way.鈥
To find out more about the nursing programs at 黑料社区 CC, visit our Nursing & Allied Health programs of study page.