Made for
THIS MOMENT
Healthcare Heroes When the going gets tough, the tough get going: how our approach prepares students for life.
Pandemic shines a light on healthcare careers. Healthcare work has taken on new significance with the onset
the pandemic has had is to shine a light on the lab and the work that we do.” Healthcare employers like Ascension turn to Fox Valley
of the COVID-19 pandemic. If working in healthcare is a
Tech for people with this passion and skill. “Our region
calling, many are reassessing their lives in response to that
needs dedicated, compassionate and skilled healthcare
call to help others.
professionals,” says Heather Schimmers, RN, Chief Nursing
Nursing is a popular career choice and for good reason: it’s a Alex Basiliere is a student in the Network Systems Administration program. His work at the FVTC Student Help Desk allows him to share his knowledge and help others.
“I enjoy the fast pace of the lab,” she says. “We never stop learning and are constantly adapting. One positive impact that
Officer for Ascension Wisconsin. “The hands-on training FVTC
rewarding, highly respected career with solid earning potential
graduates receive helps them jump right in at a time when we
and job security. However, there are a variety of other health
need it most.”
careers that are just as fulfilling. When Rachel Werner, 34, took the phlebotomy essentials
• • • Learn more: www.fvtc.edu/HealthScience
class as part of her nursing curriculum, she wasn’t aware that working in a lab was an option. “It seemed that if you wanted to work in healthcare you could either be a nurse or a doctor and that was it,” she says. As a result, the Appleton resident transferred into the newly created Medical Laboratory Technician program. She graduated in May 2020 and is now a lab technician at Ascension St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton.
NCLEX test scores of FVTC nursing students
#1 in the nation
among 2000 nursing schools for the last
3 years
NCLEX: National Council Licensure Examination
Rachel Werner
IT Careers on the Rise Remote working fuels need for IT technicians. If we’ve learned anything from 2020, it’s that more people than ever before are working from home. This means increased demands on information technology (IT) services and infrastructure. As a result, IT careers have become even more in-demand as businesses work to develop new solutions to support work-from-home staff. Sam Nail, IT Desktop Support Manager at Alta Resources in Neenah, explains, “There’s nothing simple about providing IT services anymore. It’s just more complicated, requiring more people to support.” Alta relies on the skills FVTC grads bring to the job. “Fox Valley Tech graduates bring a good foundation of technical skills and wide knowledge of the standard IT services that exist in today’s world,” Nail says. “They’re adaptable and have a strong passion for technology, which keeps them searching for the next cool opportunity.” • • • Learn more: www.fvtc.edu/IT
What does it take to teach nursing students during a pandemic? Take a look at how FVTC staff rallied to get it done during the challenging spring 2020 semester. • • • View video: www.fvtc.edu/HealthCare20
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www.fvtc.edu Fox Valley Technical College
focus fall 2020
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