Katie Grieve

Allied Health Sciences Program Leads to RN Degree for JVS Alum

Lorain County JVS alum Katie Grieve considers herself a "night person" and that bodes well for her career as a registered nurse at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.

"All the action happens at night," said Grieve, a 2007 JVS graduate who works from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. in the short-stay unit.

"The short-stay unit treats a wide variety of cases, everything from minor burns and car accidents to seizures and viruses," Grieve said.

"There is never a 'typical night' because there is always something new and exciting happening on our floor," she said.

Grieve began a part-time internship at MetroHealth Medical Center's short stay unit her junior year at the University of Akron, which became her full-time career immediately after graduation in 2011.

"I've always been outgoing and I love being around people," said Grieve, who admits that she was uncertain about the JVS.

"I was very active in high school, worried about leaving my friends at Wellington High School, and was planning to go to college too," stated Grieve. "I thought if I chose to go to the JVS I'd be out of my comfort zone."

"And there was the perception among some students that the JVS didn't have the classes to prepare college-bound students," continued Grieve. "Some people think it's a place for students who can't succeed at their home schools."

But Grieve learned that neither of these perceptions were true after she toured the JVS campus during her sophomore year and discovered the Allied Health Sciences Program, which allowed her to split time between the JVS and her high school - and earn college credits, too.

"Boy was I surprised," Grieve said. "Hands-on learning at the JVS in the morning and back to Wellington in the afternoon. I was ready to zero-in on my career. It was the best of both worlds!"

Grieve honed the skills she was learning at the JVS - including medical terminology, anatomy and patient care - while also working in the care center at Kendal at Oberlin, a continuing care retirement community.

Grieve also earned her State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) certificate, which led her towards nursing school.

"I knew I was very interested in a career in health care," Grieve said. "Working with patients at Kendal and earning my STNA certificate sealed the deal. I knew nursing was for me."

Grieve said that the Allied Health Sciences program also prepared her for classes at the University of Akron.

"I earned 20 college credits and had a solid foundation for my college courses because of my JVS education," she said.

Grieve said that she is content in her current role as a short-stay unit RN but also looking towards the future.

"I'm leaning toward transferring to the labor/delivery unit and possibly pursing a Master's Degree in Nursing," Grieve said. "It all began at the JVS. It was a great experience!"