Brittany and Lesley Inder are following in their mother Susan's footsteps - closely.
When Susan finished her business studies at the College of the North Atlantic in Grand Falls - Windsor in December, a friend told her about the college's new Medical Lab Assistant program.
The eight-month program seemed like such a great career move to Ms. Inder that she suggested the course her daughters as well. "We really didn't know what we wanted to do so we just figured we would try it out and see if we got accepted," said Brittany, the youngest of the two daughters. "I never thought I would enjoy doing something like this but now that I'm into it it's really interesting."
The girls were at a volleyball tournament when their mother came to them with the news that they had all been accepted into the program for May 2009.
The sisters admit they were a little bit nervous about the idea of going to classes with Mom.
"I was just excited over the opportunity to go to school and do something," said Lesley. "I always had in the back of my mind that okay, I'm going to school with my Mom, but I kind of forgot about it once I realized that I'm going to be doing something that's going to benefit me in my life."
The Inders have spent 10 hours a week together in labs that cover five different disciplines including hematology, histology, microbiology, specimen collection and chemistry. This is not including the time spent in class learning theory. They say being in the same classes have now become "completely normal," and "convenient" especially when you've forgotten a pen or need a pencil.
They don't drive to school together. They study together - but not all the time. "The night before a test we will have a study group and three of us will sit around the table at home for a couple of hours and fire out questions and that seems to help," said Susan.
Friends of the Inder family were a little surprised by the move.
"Whenever I would bang into somebody that I haven't seen for awhile and they would say 'what are you doing?' said Susan. " I'd say, 'I'm in school' and then they ask 'what about Lesley and Brittany?' and I'd say 'actually they are in school with me, we're all doing the same thing!' People are usually pretty amazed but they'll say 'good for you, good for you!'"
Lesley and Brittany's friends have found it a little more unbelievable. "They'll say "No way?! Are you serious?!" said Brittany.
Lab Instructor Kerry Lynn Waterman said having the two daughters and their mother as students has been an enjoyable experience for everyone.
"It's been lots of drama for us," she said. "It's been really nice and we are really going to miss them. Because of course you've got two girls. One is quieter than the other. One is very verbal and they kind of like to have fun. They will throw questions out there and then they have a little argument like typical sisters. Then Mom will just sit back and say 'Lesley! Brittany!'"
The girls say having their mother attend classes with them has added a degree of positive reinforcement for everyone. "Mom will ask, do you have your assignment done? And I'll say, 'do you? Where's yours?'" said Brittany. "We are always competing for our marks, every single time we get a test back we are always seeing who got the best mark, it's always a competition."
Mom is pretty stiff competition as well, sometimes getting the better marks.
The daughters seem to excel in a lab atmosphere while their mother excels in theory.
The Inder ladies now only have two weeks left before they finish the academic part of their program and they say not only do they not regret their choice, but they would recommend it.
"We had lots of fun," said Lesley.
"It's certainly added a lot of humour to the classes," said Susan.
The Inders will complete the academic portion of the program by the end of the December, after which the sisters plan to move to St. John's where they will complete their clinical practice. Mom will complete hers at the Central Newfoundland Regional Hospital and plans to stay in Grand Falls -Windsor. In February, they will reconvene to take their exams.
Mom, daughters attend classes together
Lesley Inder demonstrates a typical veni-puncture on her mother, Susan, while younger sister Brittany reads the requisition form, verifying patient identification during a specimen collection lab.
Keeping it in the family
Brittany and Lesley Inder are following in their mother Susan's footsteps - closely.
When Susan finished her business studies at the College of the North Atlantic in Grand Falls - Windsor in December, a friend told her about the college's new Medical Lab Assistant program.
The eight-month program seemed like such a great career move to Ms. Inder that she suggested the course her daughters as well. "We really didn't know what we wanted to do so we just figured we would try it out and see if we got accepted," said Brittany, the youngest of the two daughters. "I never thought I would enjoy doing something like this but now that I'm into it it's really interesting."
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Comments
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- JAMES
- - June 28th, 2010 at 14:49:58
great job young ladies, its nice to see something come out of my home town of grandfalls-windsor. CONGRATULATIONS !
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- nick
- - June 28th, 2010 at 14:49:42
william how could you possible think of that, its like classifiying a dog as a perspesctive.
Defenition of you - bundle of sticks -
- Brittany
- - June 28th, 2010 at 14:49:37
Hello, I am Susan's daughter, and the youngest lady taking the course. Thank you all for being supportive, it is such an amazing experience to go back to school with not only my sister, but my mother! It's definately been lots of fun and an experience of a lifetime that's for sure:) As for you William, it is mind-blowing that you would think such a thing of my mother and family. The advertiser contacted my mother once they heard of this story, we never contacted anyone to try and promote ourselves. Second, this is a story that is meant to inspire people and send a message to anyone young or old that may feel like its too late to go back to school. I respect your personal opinion but I also have a right to get out mine. I find it sad that you could hear of something so rare and fantastic and still find a way assume this is my mother's way of promoting herself . The advertiser makes stories about rare occurances, it's what makes the news interesting.
Like Paul said.. get real. -
- william
- - June 28th, 2010 at 14:49:34
Are these the only three students in the class? Very unfortunate for the other students not to be even mentioned. After all, it is a competitive job environment out there.
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- Jen
- - June 28th, 2010 at 14:49:33
Congrats to all of you! Susan you are a great role model for you daugthers and others as well.
Good luck with your exams in February! -
- William
- - June 28th, 2010 at 14:49:32
Paul, why do you say sour grapes ? How could my comment possibly be classified as sour grapes? I am not in the class, or even know anyody in the class. My point is this - I'm sure the college was using this article as a method of promoting the program and their campus, so why would no other names even be mentioned. I am sure you are aware that name recognition is important in marketing yourself to future employers. After all, Mrs Inder said that she will complete hers (clinical practice) at the Central Newfoundland Regional Hospital and plans to stay in Grand Falls -Windsor . This is her way of promoting herself and increasing her chances of remaining at the hospital permanently. Should other students in the program be at a disdavantage just because they do not have their sons or daughters in the program?...LOL
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- Paul
- - June 28th, 2010 at 14:49:22
William, what's your point? sounds like sour grapes.
the story is about the Mom and two daughters, not the rest of the class. Perhaps they should have interviewed everyone? or, if the others want to be competitive, they should have brought their own families to the program...LOL.
political correctness has its limits. -
- Paul
- - June 28th, 2010 at 14:49:15
Hey William,
the story is about the mother and two daughters taking the same program, which is unusual. anything else would be 'unintended outcome'...I know them and don't believe they set this up to enhance job prospects...
perhaps they should have in fairness, not mentioned the name of the program? or the school? do you really think they should name the other students? be realistic. when I said 'sour grapes' perhaps I should say 'get real!' -
- William
- - June 28th, 2010 at 14:49:13
I guess some can not accept the opinion of others.....too bad. After all, the Advertiser allows us this forum to express OUR OWN opinions. It is interesting how easily people call one another down just because their opinions differ.
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- JAMES
- - June 22nd, 2010 at 16:05:33
great job young ladies, its nice to see something come out of my home town of grandfalls-windsor. CONGRATULATIONS !
-
- nick
- - June 22nd, 2010 at 16:05:10
william how could you possible think of that, its like classifiying a dog as a perspesctive.
Defenition of you - bundle of sticks -
- Brittany
- - June 22nd, 2010 at 16:05:03
Hello, I am Susan's daughter, and the youngest lady taking the course. Thank you all for being supportive, it is such an amazing experience to go back to school with not only my sister, but my mother! It's definately been lots of fun and an experience of a lifetime that's for sure:) As for you William, it is mind-blowing that you would think such a thing of my mother and family. The advertiser contacted my mother once they heard of this story, we never contacted anyone to try and promote ourselves. Second, this is a story that is meant to inspire people and send a message to anyone young or old that may feel like its too late to go back to school. I respect your personal opinion but I also have a right to get out mine. I find it sad that you could hear of something so rare and fantastic and still find a way assume this is my mother's way of promoting herself . The advertiser makes stories about rare occurances, it's what makes the news interesting.
Like Paul said.. get real. -
- william
- - June 22nd, 2010 at 16:04:59
Are these the only three students in the class? Very unfortunate for the other students not to be even mentioned. After all, it is a competitive job environment out there.
-
- Jen
- - June 22nd, 2010 at 16:04:58
Congrats to all of you! Susan you are a great role model for you daugthers and others as well.
Good luck with your exams in February! -
- William
- - June 22nd, 2010 at 16:04:57
Paul, why do you say sour grapes ? How could my comment possibly be classified as sour grapes? I am not in the class, or even know anyody in the class. My point is this - I'm sure the college was using this article as a method of promoting the program and their campus, so why would no other names even be mentioned. I am sure you are aware that name recognition is important in marketing yourself to future employers. After all, Mrs Inder said that she will complete hers (clinical practice) at the Central Newfoundland Regional Hospital and plans to stay in Grand Falls -Windsor . This is her way of promoting herself and increasing her chances of remaining at the hospital permanently. Should other students in the program be at a disdavantage just because they do not have their sons or daughters in the program?...LOL
-
- Paul
- - June 22nd, 2010 at 16:04:45
William, what's your point? sounds like sour grapes.
the story is about the Mom and two daughters, not the rest of the class. Perhaps they should have interviewed everyone? or, if the others want to be competitive, they should have brought their own families to the program...LOL.
political correctness has its limits. -
- Paul
- - June 22nd, 2010 at 16:04:38
Hey William,
the story is about the mother and two daughters taking the same program, which is unusual. anything else would be 'unintended outcome'...I know them and don't believe they set this up to enhance job prospects...
perhaps they should have in fairness, not mentioned the name of the program? or the school? do you really think they should name the other students? be realistic. when I said 'sour grapes' perhaps I should say 'get real!' -
- William
- - June 22nd, 2010 at 16:04:36
I guess some can not accept the opinion of others.....too bad. After all, the Advertiser allows us this forum to express OUR OWN opinions. It is interesting how easily people call one another down just because their opinions differ.
