Eastmont alum and RN Nick Lolos guides students through their next clinical skill in Eastmont’s Foundations of Healthcare classroom.
With hospitals nationwide facing staffing shortages, Eastmont High School’s new Foundations of Healthcare course is giving students a head start into one of the region’s most essential careers. Taught by Eastmont alum and registered nurse Nick Lolos, the course combines real-world experience, patient-care simulations, and college credit to prepare students for the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) exam and future healthcare careers.
The yearlong course, part of Eastmont’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, serves as a hands-on introduction to healthcare and an alternative science pathway. Students learn 25 different skills across 13 units, complete 40 hours of community clinical work, and spend about 360 total hours in classroom and lab experiences. They visit local hospitals and care facilities to witness what they’ve learned in real-world settings. Those earning a “B” or higher can take Washington State’s CNA licensing exam and earn college credit through Wenatchee Valley College.
Step inside the classroom, and it looks more like a hospital than a high school. Mannequins rest in hospital beds, practice stations emphasize dignity and privacy, and students follow detailed clinical checklists as they refine new skills. Lolos uses storytelling to bring lessons to life, sharing real-world experiences that show the challenges and rewards of patient care.
Currently, seven seniors and three juniors are enrolled in the course. Wearing scrubs embroidered with Eastmont Nursing Assistant, they rotate through stations, mastering skills that prepare them for the workplace.
For many, the course is more than a class, it’s a career launchpad.
“I know I want this for my career,” said senior Magaly Guzman. “CNA is just the start, so after this class I hope to work as one and then go to nursing school.”
“This is an opportunity for me to further my career and get ahead instead of waiting until after high school,” added Jaslene Alvarez, an 11th-grade student.
Senior Bayleigh Desmond shared that the course connects academics and opportunity, “This can be my job to help pay for college.”
Lolos said the program provides a bridge between high school and the healthcare workforce. “There’s a need for trained nursing assistants…both nationally and here in our valley,” he explained. “This program gives students an introduction to a career path they might not otherwise get to explore.”
In addition to teaching, Lolos provides First Aid and CPR training for Eastmont staff and assists with student healthcare plans districtwide. His goal for next year is to expand the program to two class sections, serving up to 36 students.
Programs like Foundations of Healthcare reflect Eastmont’s commitment to career-connected learning. By offering hands-on experiences, local partnerships, and meaningful instruction, Eastmont is creating clear pathways to success after graduation.
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