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Certified Nursing Assistant Program Launches Successful Students
Mingus Union High School in partnership with Verde Valley Medical Center and the Valley Academy for Career and Technology Education (VACTE) and the Infinia Care Facility, have brought back a career-track program for high school students: the Certified Nursing Assistant at MUHS.
The program had ceased for a time due to the lack of an instructor, but the community partners continued working to rectify the situation by locating a nurse with an educational background. Kay Cooper, who has more than 30 years nursing experience, including teaching in the field of nursing at the university level.
Cooper says, “Four of our spring graduates are working locally as CNA's: one at Carefree Assisted Living, two at VVMC and one at Infinia Cottonwood. All seem to love the work and the salary they are making. Two are also enrolled in an EMT (emergency medical tech) course being offered in January. One of the students who did not take the test is nonetheless working in the healthcare field, having taken a position as an optician assistant in the area. It is just so exciting.”
A follow-up on the success of their career-track program for high school students: the Certified Nursing Assistant at MUHS.
The program, supported by the community partners and instructor Kay Cooper, RN, graduated ten students at the end of May. Seven of those students elected to pursue the testing to become CNA’s and all seven passed.
“The partnership between the Medical Center, Mingus Union and VACTE demonstrates the importance we all place on the CNA program as a vital link in the healthcare continuum.” says Cooper. “I am so proud to be part of this program and appreciate the support of VVMC, VACTE and the school board. We are actually seeing the 'returns' and that is why this program was supported so heartily by all the partners in the undertaking.” Cooper says that VACTE also offered assistance with regulatory compliance and excellent administrative support. “They were proactive in getting the CNA program up and running again, putting tons of energy into the project and really stepping out of the box to make it happen.”
She notes that although these students may have begun their careers as CNA’s, they also qualify for nursing programs by virtue of the certification. A CNA certification is required by Yavapai College for students entering the nursing program, and several of the students are continuing their education in nursing or other aspects of healthcare.
There are two students pursuing educational opportunities in other areas of the state, according to Cooper. “One student enrolled in the ASU nursing program; this student works 3 mornings a week getting a quadriplegic up, fed, bathed and dressed for the day. She also just applied for a medical staffing agency - to work as a CNA on a per diem basis. The other student is in nursing classes at Mesa Community College - and is applying for a CNA position right now for the second semester. “
The program is certified by the Arizona Board of Education and the Arizona Board of Nursing. Both regulatory boards require the program and classroom to meet very specific criteria. The fall CNA class completed their semester on December 20 with all 10 students passing the program criteria. They will take the state certification exam in early January. The spring class, with 10 new students, will start the program January 5, 2006.
“I am proud of the progress these students have made,” says Cooper. “They represent the next generation of healthcare in our world. And they have much to offer.”
For further information about the Certified Nursing Program available to students at Mingus Union High School, contact Kay Cooper at kcooper@muhs.com.PREVIOUS FEATURED PROGRAMS:
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