Do you want to gain real-world experience and launch careers even before graduation? Albuquerque Public Schools highlights career-connected learning, giving students hands-on opportunities to connect classroom lessons to real-world careers.
The Career Enrichment Center (CEC) is a magnet school that provides advanced, in-depth elective opportunities to students from across APS. Students remain enrolled at their home high schools while attending CEC courses that blend academics with career and technical education.
Two of CEC’s most competitive programs are in health care. They are the Practical Nursing Program and the Nursing Assistant Program. CEC Nursing Program Director Rebecca Weatherford said students consistently show strong interest in the Practical Nursing Program.
“The program typically receives anywhere from about 120 to 140 applicants each year, but can only accept about 45,” she said. Weatherford said the direct career opportunities available upon completion help drive the program’s popularity.
Program graduates can sit for the nursing board exam. After passing, they can work as licensed practical nurses (LPNs.). Depending on where they are hired, Weatherford noted wages can range anywhere from about $32 to $47 an hour.
“It’s great in the sense that it builds a career,” Weatherford added. “We encourage students to continue their education, but we have many students who stay as LPNs for the rest of their lives. You can do so many different things in nursing.”
Why Students Should Apply to CEC’s Nursing Programs?
Practical Nursing Program students start by practicing foundational skills in a simulated hospital lab before moving into real clinical environments. In CEC’s lab, students handle simulated patients with a variety of conditions and wounds
“They’re in the lab learning the basics, which is set up like a real hospital,” Weatherford said. She said students transition into real-life patient care in late semesters, where they do hands-on care in the hospital.
Students from across APS are encouraged to apply to both nursing programs. Weatherford said CEC actively recruits students at district high schools to ensure they are aware of the opportunities available. Prerequisites are established to ensure student success and to meet accreditation requirements.
“As long as they meet the prerequisites, students can apply,” Weatherford added. “We want to make sure they’re successful, and the program adheres to standards through our accrediting.”
Hear From Students in CEC’s Nursing Programs
For students, the programs offer both career clarity and practical experience. Junior Cole Sharp said the program’s biggest benefit is graduating with job-ready skills. He also highlighted its financial accessibility compared to post-secondary training.
“This program gives us a job right out of high school, which currently, is super valuable,” he said. “And it comes mostly free. There’s just some equipment and books that we need to buy.”
Sharp said he learns more effectively through hands-on clinical experiences. He retains learning by applying concepts in real situations, and connecting lessons to experiences makes the material more meaningful.
“I like the clinicals a lot,” he added, explaining that traditional classroom instruction can be challenging for him. “I have a hard time retaining information when it’s just classrooms and lectures. With clinicals, that really helps me out.”
Junior Isabella Sedillo said the program gives her exposure to health care, while she continues exploring her future plans. “I really enjoy this program, it’s an amazing opportunity.”
She said the experience is valuable for students who may still be unsure about their career path. “If you’re not sure what you want to do,” Sedillo said, the program still offers meaningful learning. “It gives you a lot to learn.”
Students in the Nursing Assistant Program are also gaining early insight into health care careers. Senior Kady Zamora said the program has helped her develop professional communication skills.
“I’m really enjoying the program,” she said. “I’m learning how to work with people in real-world settings and apply classroom lessons beyond school. It’s pretty amazing.”
Meanwhile, students in the Nursing Assistant Program are also gaining early insight into health care careers. Senior Kady Zamora said the program helps her develop professional communication skills.
“I’m really enjoying the program,” she said. “I’m learning how to work with people in real-world settings and apply classroom lessons beyond school. It’s pretty amazing.”
Senior Jasmine Morales sees the Nursing Assistant Program as her first step toward a long-term career in health care.
“This is just the start to success,” she said. “I want to move up to become a nurse practitioner, and this program is helping prepare me for what comes next. I want to take this program to set me up for what I can do in the future.”
Explore Other Programs at CEC
CEC’s nursing pathways reflect the broader goals of career connected learning at APS. They provide students hands-on experiences, industry-aligned skills, and clear connections between school and future careers.
The offerings go beyond health care. CEC has more than 50 career-focused courses overall, including film production, cosmetology, EMT training, veterinary medicine and many more.
Most CEC courses are not offered at home high schools with a large selection of dual credit course offerings. CEC allows students to meet graduation requirements by successfully completing at least one Dual Credit, AP/Honor, or online course.