Moscow School District, Gritman Medical Center Partnership Jumpstarts Student Careers
A dozen regional high school students are graduating with a head start on their health care careers thanks to a partnership between Gritman Medical Center and the Moscow School District.
Over the past year, 12 juniors and seniors in the district have made the trek to the hospital’s third floor to take the Nursing Assistant course that will serve as the foundation for a health care career. It’s the latest option available to students through the district’s Career Technical Education (CTE) program.
Moscow High School CNA students Nate and Elesia Work together during clinical rotation on Gritman’s Medical-Surgical Floor. The students are among 12 earning their certification while attending High School in the Moscow School District.
Using funds awarded through a Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health grant, Gritman Medical Center and the Moscow School District teamed up launch the CNA course. This 120-hour program combines academic learning with hands-on, real-world experience.
Registered Nurse and Clinical Educator Hollie Mooney leads instruction on the Gritman campus, where students begin with a classroom semester focused on Fundamentals of Health Professions and Medical Terminology, followed by a Capstone Nursing Assistant course. Upon successful completion, the juniors and seniors are eligible to take the exam to become Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).
Students first practice their technical skills through simulations using lifelike mannequins, then participate in clinical rotations where they engage in hands-on patient care at Gritman and area long-term care facilities. This extensive training allows students to master patient care techniques such as taking vital signs, dressing, and bathing. Thanks to Hollie’s mentorship and extensive bedside experience, this course doesn’t just focus on core competencies — but also emphasizes essential soft skills like communication, teamwork, and empathy — foundational qualities needed in any area of health care.
Students see the class as a launchpad into the health care field. For Nate, a senior at Moscow High School, the program aligns with a lifelong passion.
“I’ve loved science since fifth grade, but I want to work in health care to take a more hands-on role with science in my career,” he said. “This class has helped me learn the customer service and patient care side of that.”
For others, motivation is personal. Madeline, a junior at Moscow High School, noted how her own health journey inspired her chosen career path.
“I used to get routine infusions for migraines,” she said. “The Nursing and Phlebotomy staff with (Pediatrician Dr. Summer) Day’s office were always so nice. They would sit with me and make me feel better. I realized they were making a difference in my life and I wanted to do the same for others.”
Hollie Mooney, Registered Nurse and Clinical Educator
This partnership is more than just a class — it’s an investment in the future of health care in our region. “Gritman has been a cornerstone partner to our district for many years, and the CNA partnership takes this cooperative relationship to the next level,” said Brian Smith, Principal at Paradise Creek Regional High School and District Coordinator for Career Technical Education and Community Schools. “The heart of Career Technical Education is within the partnerships we hold with professional industry. Being able to offer a program where our students literally step into the professional world with professional expectations for every class period erases any potential misalignment from what is being taught compared to what is expected in the workforce.”
By offering students the tools, training, and environment to explore careers in the field, the program gives them a clearer vision of their future and credentials to begin working in health care immediately after graduation.
“I am thrilled that our students are participating in real-life learning opportunities — not in a traditional high school classroom, but in the actual physical building where they can build a career and with the actual people that they will work alongside with to serve our community in the future,” said Shawn Tiegs, Moscow School District Superintendent.
Gritman Medical Center is proud to play a role in developing the next generation of health care professionals. Laying the foundation for these aspiring caregivers is just one of the many ways the hospital continues to fulfill its mission of providing exceptional care to the community — today and for years to come.
Interested in Gritman’s CNA course? Students are encouraged to speak to their school counselors to sign up.
