WATCH worksWork Attributes Toward Careers in Health

For participants of CSIU WATCH Project WINTER 2012

My Story: WATCH support helps me manage financial, social & emotional issues“I am a single mother with one son, and previously struggled through an LPN program. I am participating in WATCH to offer my son a better quality of life, and to set an example of what can be done when the system tells you there’s little chance in getting ahead.

“WATCH is giving me the opportunity to manage financial, social and emotional issues. Financial issues are addressed with comprehensive academic support that covers the expenses that grants and loans do not. Social support and encouragement comes from regular check-ins by WATCH program staff, prompting me to keep my achievement level up. Having these two issues covered gives me the peace of mind and confidence that would minimize any emotional issue. WATCH staffers are consistently there both to cheer me on and suggest options in the process of getting my degree that I might have overlooked.

“Being part of a cultural minority group, I find that even though I am an American citizen by birth, some folks don’t see the potential in me, and only notice the differences in appearance and accent. Meeting expectations of the majority can be a daily

“WATCH gives not only a new hope that things will get better, but also the tools needed to accomplish it.”

IN THIS ISSUE

Tips for managing stress ........................2Your feedback is requested .................2Congratulations, graduates! ...............3Having a back-up child care plan .....4

struggle that one has to deal with when you are from a different background. The decision of going back to school after having been an LPN for nine years was well thought out, and was done while

knowing the hardships and sacrifices that I was exposing myself to for the second time. This was the most difficult issue to face.

“When the WATCH program was mentioned to me by a dear friend, I took it as a heaven-sent blessing due to the fact that I was already facing financial, social and emotional issues in my then-present state. I was struggling to keep my head up because I knew that my son was,

and still is, watching how I conducted my life. Our children learn by example and I’ve been extra careful in the decisions I’ve made because of that reason.

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My Story: continuedJust a reminder

Managing stress in a stress-filled worldPart II in a series featuring suggestions for reducing and controlling stress in our lives

Watch your mail and email for messages and surveys from the Pacific Institute for

Research and Evaluation (PIRE).

Please complete and return the surveys as soon as possible.

The information you provide helps improve WATCH services, plan for the future and demonstrate that programs

like it are effective.

In the last edition of WATCH works, we learned the first step in reducing stress is understanding our stressors – the thoughts, individuals, and situations that cause our stress reactions.

We often become stressed out when we are trying to do too much in too little time. To help manage your responsibilities and reduce stress:

• Identify your priorities and eliminate the “extras;”• Examine your schedule and make sure you are

spending time on the important things; and• Give adequate time to complete tasks and plan

for the possibility of delays and interruptions.

Priorities are the people and activities in your life that are most important at any point in time. These priorities can change with our roles, responsibilities, circumstances and environments.

As you work toward your nursing certification or prepare to start a new career, your focus should shift to completing your school work or meeting the expectations of a new job. However, you continue to have other responsibilities that you need to balance in your life, along with some downtime.

With your family, make a list of the things that fill your time and identify the most important items. When you’ve made the decision to eliminate some activities that are low on your priority list, take time to talk with your family and friends to let them know why you are making these life changes at this time.

In the next issue, we will consider how some specific time management strategies can help reduce or eliminate stress in our lives.

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“The WATCH program gives not only a new hope that things will get better, but also the tools needed to accomplish it. Because of staff attention to all those enrolled in WATCH, we are assured that our needs are met. The program has regular meetings between staff and enrollees featuring guest speakers, who offer help to us in reaching the goals already established - which in my case is becoming an RN. So to answer the question of what the WATCH program is doing for me, I can say that it is giving me and my son the choice of becoming better people so we can help others to do the same.”

By Thilza Cordova-Martinez, Danville Thomas Jefferson University, RN Program

Project WATCH staff are asking program participants to tell how WATCH is helping you realize your dreams. To get your story published, contact your Career Coordinator.

Your feedback helps improve WATCH services

Congratulations to recent graduates!

Pictured are graduates of HACC’s CNA program (from L to R): Brenda Shultz, Williamsport; Ashley Stiffler, Hughesville; Tiana Richardson, Williamsport; and Tammy Fisher, Williamsport

Pictured is Santiea Akus, Williamsport, a graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s Registered Nurse program

Pictured are graduates of HACC’s CNA program April Carmona (left) and Al-Mumtahanah Williams, both of Williamsport

Pictured are graduates of the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology’s LPN program (from L to R): Kyle Priebe, Bellefonte; Jennifer Boyer, McClure; Stacey Gallagher, Jersey Shore; Kathryn Cannie-Hand, Boalsburg; and Sandra Andrus, Lock Haven

Pictured are graduates from HACC’s CNA program (from L to R): Angel Jones, Williamsport; Cara Lachat, Cogan Station; Kim Spotts, Jersey Shore; Jennifer Taylor, Renovo; Ashley Crisswell, Centre Hall; and Erica Seyler, Lock Haven

Graduates of HACC’s CNA program (from L to R): Danielle Carr, Berwick; Bailey Smith, Danville; Sonya Medina, Mifflinburg; Valerie Eisenhuth, Northumberland; and Joni Tyson, New Columbia

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HARRISbURg AREA CoMMUNITy CollEgE (HACC)Certified Nursing Assistant Program

Monique Cooper, WilliamsportShana Gehron, UnityvilleTiffany Jones, McClure

Congratulations to the following WATCH Project participants not pictured who recently graduated from nursing programs at several regional educational institutions.

Christy Mallery, Beaver SpringsLisa Martin, LewistownSamerah Mason, WilliamsportKery Ritter, MifflinburgMatthew Schmeltz, WilliamsportAutumn Shaffer, WatsontownMichele Wells, MilroyEryn Young, Sunbury

PENNSylvANIA CollEgE oF TECHNologyLicensed Practical Nursing Program

Katie Starr, Hughesville

SUN AREA TECHNICAl INSTITUTECertified Nursing Assistant Program

Donna Dupert, MiddleburgTina Leitzel, Selinsgrove

WATCH ProjectPO Box 213Lewisburg, PA 17837

Advice for parents: Have a child care back-up plan

This document was supported by Grant #90FX0011 from the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of HHS. Work Attributes Toward Careers in Health (WATCH) is a Health Profession Opportunity Grant and is administered by the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU).

If you have young children, you know the challenges of finding and keeping reliable child care options while you are going to school or work.

You may have a reliable child care provider, but do you have a back-up plan if your current provider becomes ill or goes on vacation? What if your child is sick and can’t go to school or day care?

The most important thing to remember is to make back-up child care plans now, before there’s an

emergency. Know who you can count on so you can minimize days missed at work or school.

Talk with family, friends and trusted neighbors who may be available while you are at school or work. If you don’t have someone you trust, ask other

WATCH program participants, classmates or co-workers about their child care providers or contact local centers and ask if they allow “drop-ins.” Be sure to check with each of them ahead of time and consider having several options in your plan.

Make sure you and your emergency child care providers have a clear understanding of your child’s needs. If your child requires a special medicine or treatment, be sure your back-up provider is comfortable with how to administer it.

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