The health professions club at OHS got a taste of real-world experience when former students came back to offer their expertise.

Jenna and Blair Lamatina, twins and 2011 OHS graduates, presented to Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) club on March 1 about their jobs as nurses in the urology unit at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. The Lamatina girls went to St. Louis Community College at Meramec for two years and then started nursing school at Goldfarb School of Nursing in 2014.

“They were very, very conscientious students,” said science teacher and HOSA sponsor Mrs. Rebekah Kirchhofer, who has known both girls since eighth grade.

Nursing school comes with high expectations: a score of 78 percent or lower is considered failing.

“You have to be focused,” Blair said.

After getting their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), both twins passed their National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) test on their first try. This gave them license to be a nurse and allowed them to get a job at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, where both have been since last July.

“You’ve gotta be on your toes all night long,” Blair said. “It keeps things interesting.”

HOSA is a club for students interested in health professions, so the twins’ insight into working as nurses was relevant to their audience. Approximately 20 students attended the meeting, which was held in HOSA sponsor Ms. Sarah Guenther’s room.

“We work night shifts at Barnes,” Jenna said. “We do three 12’s [hour shifts] a week.”

“You’ve gotta be ready for anything, really,” Blair added.