Jammin' on the rink and in the classroom

Two Spirit Lake sisters are adding Certified Nursing Assistant to a list of skills that includes hip checks, jamming, and avoiding rink rash.  

Kate Palmer, 19, and Amy Palmer, 18, recently graduated from the Certified Nursing Assistant program at the North Idaho College Workforce Training Center. They both have their eyes set on entering NIC’s nursing program in the future. 

“A career in health care is great. It’s also a way to give back to the community. The class was so convenient, I thought ‘Why not?’” Amy said. 

For the Palmer sisters, the family that roller derbies together, stays together. They started playing in their early teens. 

“It was just supposed to be Katie (playing roller derby) at first, but it looked like so much fun,” Amy said. “I could be as aggressive as I wanted to be in a safe environment with family and friends.” 

Growing up, the Palmers were both athletic, but struggled to find their niche. They tried basketball, soccer, rugby, even boxing.  

“They just weren’t my thing. I couldn’t get into them. But roller derby was different. I fell in love with it on Day 1,” Kate said.  

Kate said she developed self-esteem and learned how to collaborate with others to achieve a common goal from her time spent in the rink. 

“The main thing is the pack. You help your girls to score and hurt the other girls to keep them from scoring. It makes for a lot of really close teamwork,” she said. 

 Kate has already finished her pre-requisites for the nursing program at NIC. Amy graduated from Timberlake High School this month, but already has some college classes under her belt since she was a dual-credit student. The NIC nursing program is in high demand, and there is a rigorous application process.

“To be competitive, that CNA class really helps,” Kate said. “It’s not an actual requirement to get into nursing school, but now I can’t imagine not doing it before becoming a nurse.” 

Kate is already working as a CNA, but she said she will earn $3 an hour more with the CNA certificate. Amy will start off working as a CNA at the higher pay grade.

“I like that there are 15 different directions I can go in (the health care) field. I can make good money and always have a job,” Kate said. 

Local roller derby leagues top out at age 18, so the two sisters are currently part of pick-up leagues to stay on the rink.  

“Roller derby is my safe space. It’s a place where I can grow and then bring that to my everyday life,” Kate said.  

For more information on Health Professions courses offered through the NIC Workforce Training Center, visit www.nic.edu/healthcareers or call (208) 769-3214. 

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