02/25/13 Ancilla College is gearing up to launch a new Nursing Assistant training program this April. The new program will prepare students to become Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).
Registration for the program is open to anyone over the age of 18. “We are offering this program to the public, not just Ancilla College students,” said Ann Fitzgerald, head of the college’s Nursing program. “With the CNA program we are working to meet the needs of both the local workforce and the need for trained nursing and medical assistants in regional healthcare facilities.”
“No matter what happens in the economy, or how much employment numbers fluctuate, people need healthcare. If you are looking at beginning a new career, or going back to school to change direction, healthcare careers are a rapidly growing and highly paid field,” Fitzgerald said.
The new classes start April 3rd at Ancilla College. CNAs are in high demand and this is raising CNA and other healthcare salaries—Indiana’s Workforce Development office published figures in 2013 that Nursing Assistant and Licensed Practical Nurse jobs are in the top ten “hot job” category.
The CNA program can be seen as an entry-level ramp into health-related occupations.
“Ancilla College is offering a state approved course for CNA training that you can complete in just two months—in 105 hours you can launch a new career and open new opportunities in a fast growing, high employment field,” said nursing faculty member Elizabeth Bailey.
Nursing assistants work in a range of healthcare settings supporting other medical staff in patient care, safety and basic healthcare tasks.
“The CNA program is designed for people who want an introduction to healthcare careers and the skills needed to provide safe, effective care in a variety of settings. It can be a great way to get started in the field. With a CNA you can launch a career and work in clinics, hospitals and long-term care facilities. You can also come back for more training and education at Ancilla and transfer the CNA credit toward a later degree in health science or nursing,” Bailey said.
“Ancilla College offers a range of educational options after the CNA. We have an Associate’s Degree in several healthcare related fields, with nursing being one of the most popular. Our Nursing program helps students develop knowledge and professional skills to prepare students to take the National Council on Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) to earn a license as a Registered Nurse (RN),” Fitzgerald said. “The CNA is a great first step to enter the profession.”
“Ancilla prides itself on interacting with our students, small class sizes and personal learning support including free tutoring. Students learn skills hands-on right here in your own community. Students engage in clinical experiences at various area hospitals, long-term care facilities and other healthcare facilities in Plymouth, Knox, Rochester, South Bend, and elsewhere,” Fitzgerald said.
“In today’s job market an LPN earns more than many jobs but career options may be limited,” Fitzgerald said. “Ancilla College offers a one-year LPN to RN Bridge Program for bridging the gap between the educational requirements of LPNs and RNs. The bridge program begins each summer and lasts for one year. Classes and clinical experiences at local and regional health care facilities are combined to provide a solid educational program in less time to support working healthcare professionals.”
The college offers more details at Ancilla’s website at www.ancilla.edu/cna/
Photo: Profs. Beth Bailey and Ann Fitzgerald with “Stan” the iStan Medical Simulator used by health science and nursing students at Ancilla College.
For more information and quotations please email or call
- Prof. Beth Bailey, Ancilla College
- 574-936-8898 ext 395
- Elizabeth.Bailey@ancilla.edu
