Parkwest’s PCSA Program Hires High School Students Interested in Nursing Careers

High school students interested in nursing careers can get hands-on experience at Parkwest Medical Center and other Covenant Health acute-care hospitals through an innovative Patient Care Support Assistant (PCSA) program. Designed for high school students ages 16-18, the unique program includes hospital training, a paycheck and a nursing career jumpstart.

High School Student Learns Hands-On Hospital Care

It’s about 30 minutes until Contessa Stewart’s shift begins at Parkwest, but a bed alarm is ringing on the hospital’s third floor. She drops everything and hurries to the room to check on the patient.

With the dedication and work ethic typical of Covenant Health nurses, Stewart has a passion for her chosen profession. As a participant in the PCSA program, she started working at the hospital when she was a high school junior.

“I never thought I’d be working in a hospital at 17,” Stewart says. “But here I am!”

PCSA is much more than job shadowing. It’s hands-on hospital experience for teens — a paid position and a chance to take on the real-world responsibility of working with patients. Unit supervisor Nichole Myers, RN, says the hospital reaps benefits, too, filling staffing gaps and providing more constant care for patients.

“Most of the students come in and work after school, which is a very busy time for our unit. Patients are coming and going, finishing up the last meal of the day and staff are helping patients get ready for bed,” Myers says. “The team greatly appreciates the extra help during this time.”

She says the nurses also enjoy helping the students grow and flourish in their roles. “It gives the team an opportunity to influence the next generation of healthcare workers from the very beginning.”  

The program has already helped Stewart launch a career. As soon as she celebrated her 18^th birthday, Parkwest rewarded her hard work by promoting her to certified nursing assistant (CNA). Her new role gave her both a raise and more patient care responsibilities.

Making Her Case for a Nursing Career

If you had asked Stewart a few years ago what she wanted to do with her life, being a nurse wouldn’t have been her first response. “I always told myself I wanted to be a lawyer because I’m great at arguing my point,” she laughs.

Her career vision changed in eighth grade when she took a class in health science. “I just absolutely fell in love with it,” she says.

By the time she entered high school, Stewart was “all in,” taking classes in medical assisting, EKG technician training and signing up for a CNA course. Stewart never imagined a first step on her career path would be working in a hospital, something students don’t usually do until they’ve had other healthcare-related experiences.

“My recruiter reached out and said, ‘Hey, we have this new program. Would you be interested?’ And I was like, absolutely!”

The PCSA program put her side-by-side with registered nurses, learning, working and earning all at the same time. Myers applauds Stewart’s enthusiasm, work ethic and positive attitude.

“I have seen such growth in Contessa in her short time here,” Myers says. “She has gained so much confidence in herself. It shows by the way she interacts and cares for her patients.”

PCSAs Learn From Nursing Professionals

Starting a hospital job as a teenager might seem intimidating at first. But Parkwest Chief Nursing Officer Jacquelyn Alt, RN, MBA, says it doesn’t take long for students to find confidence as they learn from professionals and become part of the team.

“I’m so proud of our nurses at Parkwest,” says Alt. “They truly embrace our students and take them under their wing.”

Alt says typical duties for students may include:

• Answering call lights
• Stocking floors
• Transporting patients
• Assisting patients with meals
• Helping post-surgery patients get up and moving
• Helping with daily living activities (brushing teeth, changing clothes, etc.)
• Checking patients’ vital signs

Now that Stewart is a CNA, she’s learning new ways to assist in patient care with increased confidence. (A roll of medical tape hangs from her ID badge in case she needs to tape an IV during her shift). But the personal connection is what Stewart always enjoys most. She says that being present for a patient who needs compassion and kindness is the best part of the job.

“I just like letting [patients] know that I’m here for them,” she says. “I want them to feel comfortable.”

After her duties are fulfilled, Stewart goes home to her grandparents and life as a typical high school student. When balancing her two worlds becomes a challenge, they give her the encouragement she needs to keep pursuing her dreams.

“On the hard days, they remind me, ‘Just look at how far you’ve come in two years.’ And I’m like, yeah, you’re right,” Stewart says.

The PCSA Program: An Ideal First Step for Healthcare Careers

As Stewart prepares for college, she’s mapping out her education and career path. Her ultimate goal is to become a pediatric nurse. PCSA has been an important step in that direction.

“I know a lot of hospitals require three years of experience before hiring for pediatrics, so this has been a great way to get my foot in the door,” Stewart says.

Being a Patient Care Support Assistant may not be as easy as some other jobs for high school students, but Stewart believes it’s an ideal first step for students who are serious about a future in healthcare.

“Take every opportunity that’s given to you,” Stewart advises, “and this program is a really good opportunity.” Students who complete the program can, like Stewart, transition into certified nursing assistant roles after turning 18.

Preparing Tomorrow’s Nurses and Healthcare Professionals

Alt describes mentoring the next generation as a passion and privilege, as well as a responsibility. “Here at Parkwest we have a very intentional focus and program around our students and academic partners,” she says.

The Patient Care Support Assistant program is just one of several ways that Covenant Health helps prepare future healthcare professionals. Covenant Health is committed to the next generation of nurses and other healthcare professionals, offering knowledge, skills, and real-world training through a variety of initiatives:

Academic Partnerships

Covenant Health has multiple academic partnerships with postsecondary nursing and healthcare programs across the region. Parkwest also collaborates with Roane State Community College and Tennessee Collage of Applied Technology to provide dedicated classroom and simulation space for LPN and RN training.

Clinical Rotations

Nursing students from across the region receive clinical training and hands-on learning experiences at Covenant Health hospitals. At Parkwest, Alt meets personally with each clinical group on Day One and follows up with students throughout their rotation period.   

Preceptorships

Preceptors host senior nursing students each semester for intensive, one-on-one mentorship and training. 

Shadowing Opportunities

Job shadowing helps students explore different nursing specialties to find the best career fit. 

One-on-One Nurse Pairing

Students work closely with experienced nurses to gain diverse clinical experiences. Each nurse pairs up with a student to provide as many clinical experiences as possible.

Nurse Residency and Training Programs

New nursing graduates transition from academics to busy hospital environments through Covenant Health’s Nurse Residency program, which includes “Parkwest Boot Camp” and structured preceptorships. 

Ongoing Support

 A robust team of nurse educators guides and mentors new nurses beyond the orientation period. 

Learn More About Patient Care Support Assistants

Attend Our March Information Session!

Parkwest and Covenant Health are making patient care a priority, training nurses and shaping the future of healthcare, one student at a time. Covenant Health’s Patient Care Support Assistant programs are open to local high school students between 15 and 18 years of age. Paid positions are currently open for the coming school year.

Are you a high school student looking for a head start on a healthcare career? To apply or to learn more about the Patient Care Support Assistant program at Parkwest, plan to attend our Spring 2025 information session:

Patient Care Support Assistant Program

Thursday, March 27, 5 p.m.

Dogwood Classroom, Parkwest Medical Center

9352 Parkwest Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37932

You can also call 865-373-1003 or email [email protected] for more information.

Apply to be a PCSA today!