The document summarizes the experiences and perspectives of participants in the WATCH Project, which provides support to help individuals pursue careers in health care. It discusses the financial, social, and emotional challenges one participant faced as a single mother pursuing nursing education. It also highlights tips for managing stress, such as prioritizing responsibilities and allowing adequate time. The document celebrates recent graduates of various health care programs and advises developing back-up child care plans for emergencies.

1. WATCH works
Work 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 struggle that one has to deal with when
previously struggled through an LPN you are from a different background. The
program. I am participating in WATCH to decision of going back to school after
offer my son a better quality of life, and to having been an LPN for nine years was
set an example of what can be done when well thought out, and was done while
the system tells you there’s little knowing the hardships and sacrifices
chance in getting ahead. that I was exposing myself to for
“WATCH gives the second time. This was the most
“WATCH is giving me the opportunity
not only a difficult issue to face.
to manage financial, social and
new hope that
emotional issues. Financial issues “When the WATCH program was
are addressed with comprehensive things will get mentioned to me by a dear friend,
academic support that covers the better, but I took it as a heaven-sent blessing
expenses that grants and loans do not. also the tools due to the fact that I was already
Social support and encouragement needed to facing financial, social and emotional
comes from regular check-ins by accomplish it.” issues in my then-present state. I
WATCH program staff, prompting was struggling to keep my head up
me to keep my achievement level because I knew that my son was,
up. Having these two issues covered gives me and still is, watching how I conducted my life. Our
the peace of mind and confidence that would children learn by example and I’ve been extra careful
minimize any emotional issue. WATCH staffers are in the decisions I’ve made because of that reason.
consistently there both to cheer me on and suggest continued on page 2
options in the process of getting my degree that I
might have overlooked.
in this issue
“Being part of a cultural minority group, I find that
Tips for managing stress........................2
.
even though I am an American citizen by birth,
some folks don’t see the potential in me, and only Your feedback is requested. ................2
.
notice the differences in appearance and accent. Congratulations, graduates!................3
Meeting expectations of the majority can be a daily Having a back-up child care plan......4

2. Managing stress in a stress-filled world
Part II in a series featuring suggestions for reducing and controlling stress in our lives
In the last edition of WATCH works, we learned the As you work toward your nursing certification or
first step in reducing stress is understanding our prepare to start a new career, your focus should
stressors – the thoughts, individuals, and situations shift to completing your school work or meeting the
that cause our stress reactions. expectations of a new job. However, you continue to
have other responsibilities that you need to balance
We often become stressed out when we are trying
in your life, along with some downtime.
to do too much in too little time. To help manage
your responsibilities and reduce stress: With your family, make a list of the things that fill
your time and identify the most important items.
• Identify your priorities and eliminate the “extras;”
When you’ve made the decision to eliminate some
• Examine your schedule and make sure you are activities that are low on your priority list, take time
spending time on the important things; and to talk with your family and friends to let them know
• Give adequate time to complete tasks and plan why you are making these life changes at this time.
for the possibility of delays and interruptions.
In the next issue, we will consider how some
Priorities are the people and activities in your life specific time management strategies can help
that are most important at any point in time. These reduce or eliminate stress in our lives.
priorities can change with our roles, responsibilities,
circumstances and environments.
My Story: continued
Just a reminder “The WATCH program gives not only a new hope that
things will get better, but also the tools needed to
Your feedback helps accomplish it. Because of staff attention to all those
improve WATCH services enrolled in WATCH, we are assured that our needs
are met. The program has regular meetings between
Watch your mail and email for messages staff and enrollees featuring guest speakers, who
offer help to us in reaching the goals already
and surveys from the Pacific Institute for
established - which in my case is becoming an
Research and Evaluation (PIRE).
RN. So to answer the question of what the WATCH
Please complete and return the surveys program is doing for me, I can say that it is giving me
as soon as possible. and my son the choice of becoming better people so
we can help others to do the same.”
The information you provide helps By Thilza Cordova-Martinez, Danville
improve WATCH services, plan for the Thomas Jefferson University, RN Program
future and demonstrate that programs
Project WATCH staff are asking program participants
like it are effective.
to tell how WATCH is helping you realize your
dreams. To get your story published, contact your
Career Coordinator.
WATCH works 2

3. Congratulations to recent graduates!
Pictured is Santiea Akus, Pictured are graduates of the Central Pictured are graduates from HACC’s
Williamsport, a graduate Pennsylvania Institute of Science and CNA program (from L to R): Angel Jones,
of Pennsylvania College of Technology’s LPN program (from L to R): Williamsport; Cara Lachat, Cogan Station;
Technology’s Registered Kyle Priebe, Bellefonte; Jennifer Boyer, McClure; Kim Spotts, Jersey Shore; Jennifer Taylor,
Nurse program Stacey Gallagher, Jersey Shore; Kathryn Cannie- Renovo; Ashley Crisswell, Centre Hall; and
Hand, Boalsburg; and Sandra Andrus, Lock Haven Erica Seyler, Lock Haven
Pictured are graduates of HACC’s CNA Pictured are graduates of HACC’s Graduates of HACC’s CNA program (from L
program (from L to R): Brenda Shultz, CNA program April Carmona (left) to R): Danielle Carr, Berwick; Bailey Smith,
Williamsport; Ashley Stiffler, Hughesville; and Al-Mumtahanah Williams, both Danville; Sonya Medina, Mifflinburg; Valerie
Tiana Richardson, Williamsport; and of Williamsport Eisenhuth, Northumberland; and Joni
Tammy Fisher, Williamsport Tyson, New Columbia
Congratulations to the following WATCH Project participants
Pennsylvania College
not pictured who recently graduated from nursing programs
of Technology
at several regional educational institutions.
Licensed Practical Nursing
Program
Harrisburg Area Christy Mallery, Beaver Springs
Community College Katie Starr, Hughesville
Lisa Martin, Lewistown
(HACC) Samerah Mason, Williamsport sun area technical
Certified Nursing Assistant Kery Ritter, Mifflinburg institute
Program Matthew Schmeltz, Williamsport Certified Nursing Assistant
Monique Cooper, Williamsport Autumn Shaffer, Watsontown Program
Shana Gehron, Unityville Michele Wells, Milroy Donna Dupert, Middleburg
Tiffany Jones, McClure Eryn Young, Sunbury Tina Leitzel, Selinsgrove
WATCH works 3

4. Advice for parents: Have a child care back-up plan
If you have young children, you know the WATCH program participants, classmates or co-
challenges of finding and keeping reliable child workers about their child care providers or contact
care options while you are going to school or work. local centers and ask if they allow “drop-ins.” Be
You may have a reliable child care sure to check with each of them ahead of time and
provider, but do you have a back- consider having several options in your plan.
up plan if your current provider
Make sure you and your emergency child care
becomes ill or goes on vacation?
providers have a clear understanding of your child’s
What if your child is sick and can’t
needs. If your child requires a special medicine
go to school or day care?
or treatment, be sure your back-up provider is
The most important thing to comfortable with how to administer it.
remember is to make back-up child
care plans now, before there’s an
emergency. Know who you can count on so you can
This document was supported by Grant #90FX0011 from the
minimize days missed at work or school.
Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health
Talk with family, friends and trusted neighbors who & Human Services (HHS). Its contents are solely the responsibility
of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views
may be available while you are at school or work.
of HHS. Work Attributes Toward Careers in Health (WATCH) is a
If you don’t have someone you trust, ask other Health Profession Opportunity Grant and is
administered by the Central Susquehanna
Intermediate Unit (CSIU).
WATCH works 4
Lewisburg, PA 17837
PO Box 213
WATCH Project