Learning Through Care:
Students Build Skills and Connection at Maryville
During the month of April, Maryville welcomed high school students into its care community as part of a hands-on clinical experience through the Beaverton School District’s Health Careers Program.
Students in the Nursing Assistant class, guided by Michele Jakubauskas, RN and Erika Probst, RN, instructors with the Beaverton School District Health Careers Program, completed clinical rotations at Maryville as part of their preparation to become Certified Nursing Assistants.
“We are nurses by education and training, and we serve as instructors for the Nursing Assistant class,” Jakubauskas shared. “Students complete requirements set by the Oregon State Board of Nursing, which includes learning about body systems, the aging process, hands-on patient care skills and clinical experience.”
While foundational skills are first practiced in a lab setting at Beaverton High School, the clinical component at Maryville brings those lessons into a real-world environment. This year, two groups of students completed six clinical days across different units in the facility, observing and assisting with a range of resident care needs.
For many students, the transition into clinicals begins with uncertainty.
“Students are quite nervous before starting,” Probst said. “They’ve practiced on classmates and mannequins, but caring for residents at Maryville is very different.”
That initial hesitation quickly gives way to growth. As students begin working with residents, they develop not only technical skills but a deeper sense of empathy and awareness.
“The shift we often see is an incredible growth in compassion and understanding,” Jakubauskas said. “Students learn to meet residents where they are, not only physically but emotionally. We also see their confidence grow as they begin to provide care independently.”
Moments of connection often become the most meaningful part of the experience. Whether assisting with daily routines or simply taking time to talk, students begin to see the human side of caregiving.
“One of our students shared that they feel most connected to residents when helping them get dressed and ready for the day,” Probst said. “They talked about how meaningful it is to hear residents’ stories and learn about their lives.”
Residents, too, notice the presence of the students. Many have expressed appreciation for the care and attention they receive, describing the students as thoughtful and a joy to interact with.
Beyond clinical skills, the program is designed to leave a lasting impression.
“We hope students realize the difference they can make in the lives of others,” Jakubauskas said. “Sometimes a kind, caring comment can change a resident’s entire day. Taking the time to connect makes a tremendous difference.”
That lesson is reinforced by the environment at Maryville itself. The partnership between the Health Careers Program and Maryville spans more than five decades, creating a sense of continuity and shared purpose.
“We have been part of the Maryville community for 55 years,” Probst said. “We’ve always felt welcomed by the staff, and many of our students choose to return to Maryville to work after graduation.”
For students, the experience offers more than a pathway into health care. It provides a foundation built on compassion, respect and the understanding that care is as much about presence as it is about practice.
At Maryville, this partnership continues a long-standing legacy of forming future caregivers. Students gain clinical skills while also learning what it means to care for the whole person. Through each interaction, they begin to see the difference they can make, both now and in the years ahead.
