From the September 30, 2004 edition of The Northeast News Gleaner Students lift spirits, gain experience at Deer Meadows By Jeannette Ryder The nursing home, located at 8301 Roosevelt Boulevard, has been welcoming students from La Salle University's nursing program, Northeastern Hospital School of Nursing, Clinical Pathways Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Union 1199c CNAs, and Episcopal Hospital's Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs). The CNA students gain experience by performing many duties of nursing home staff, such as checking vitals, taking blood pressure, filling out residents' charts and flow sheets, making the beds, and assisting residents in the shower. Episcopal Hospital's LPNs, Northeastern and La Salle University nursing students may do everything the CNAs do, as well as take physical assessments and observe residents receiving medication. The students are "all excited," said Margie Johnson, director of community education at Deer Meadows. Nursing students "don't (usually) get to go into nursing homes." Johnson, who coordinates the program with chief operations officer Lisa Sofia, feels it's an excellent opportunity for the 105 students and 14 residents, who agreed to work with the students. "It's a misconception that a nursing home is an awful place for people to work. People still think you restrain residents, give pill out (and that) it's depressing. It may smell," Johnson said. "It's so not like that. It's not true. It's changed so much." Proudly, Johnson listed the activities of Deer Meadows residents. "Our residents are really involved," she said. They work the computer and check e-mail, do art projects, sing, and much more. And, "you won't smell any smell." Johnson continued, "An Instructor from Episcopal Hospital said he totally changed his mind (about nursing homes) after he spent one rotation here." Students grow attached to the nursing home. "A lot of them ask if there are any openings. They love it here," said Johnson, who explained that several of the students in the past have obtained jobs at Deer Meadows. And that's important to the facility because the residents "love the students," Johnson said. "When the students are here, they do extra projects with them." The time the residents and students spend together is wonderful because "it's someone else for the residents to talk to," she said. The residents' "families love it too." So does the Deer Meadows staff. "The staff interacts with the students well because it makes them feel like they are helping someone out," Johnson said, explaining that the staff will take extra time to show a student what needs to be done. If your school is interested in being a part of Deer Meadows nursing program, please contact Margie Johnson at 215-624-7575 ext 1158. Deer Meadows is also offering a Feeding Assistant Program. The program is state-approved and open to the public. The eight hour program certifies people to become Assistant Resident Paid Feeding Assistants. Participants will be certified in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver. For more information about the classes, please contact Margie Johnson at 215-624-7575.