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Student says apprenticeship led to free CNA training and steered her toward a physician-assistant track
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Summary
A student who identified herself as Abby told a meeting that SPASH programs and a youth apprenticeship allowed her to earn a CNA credential at no cost and influenced her decision to pursue a physician assistant degree, and she urged others to try apprenticeships.
Abby, who gave only her first name, told attendees during the meeting's public comment period that she completed the Start College Now program through SPASH and attended ‘Med State’ to earn her certified nursing assistant credential "for free." She said the experience helped clarify her plans to pursue a physician assistant degree.
The student said she currently works as a CNA at Aspirus providing bedside care in medical/surgical and intensive-care units, including bathing, helping patients walk, feeding and other direct-care tasks. "I can do a lot more here and I've learned so much," she said, describing why she chose Aspirus over other employers.
Abby said she has been at Aspirus for about a year, previously worked in assisted living and has participated in Youth Apprenticeship for two years. She told the meeting she plans to attend what the transcript names as "VWO Eau Claire" in the fall to study biology on a pre-physician assistant track and said she hopes to work in emergency medicine.
On the value of apprenticeships she urged other students to try them: "If you're wanting to do an apprenticeship, especially if you're interested in going into health care, it's definitely worth it. You'll find out what you do and don't wanna do instead of just going with what you think you like to do." The remark encapsulated her message that hands-on experience helped refine her career choice.
The comment provides a first-person example of how programs tied to the Stevens Point Area Public School District can feed local health-care employers, but the meeting transcript does not record any formal action, vote or response by district officials or meeting leaders. The institutions Abby named in the transcript are recorded here as she spoke them ("Med State" and "VWO Eau Claire"); those institutional names were not clarified in the transcript.
