Certified Nursing Assistants Make the Grade at Levindale and Jewish Convalescent
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Author�
Helene King
410-601-2296
CLASS OF CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTS MAKES THE GRADE WITH LEVINDALE AND JEWISH CONVALESCENT & NURSING HOME PROGRAM.
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For Immediate Release
Description�
Six weeks of cramming for tests, fighting to stay awake, eating junk food and drinking coffee have paid off in a big way,� said Shannette Jones, one of the latest graduates of the Certified Nursing Assistant Program offered by Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital and Jewish Convalescent & Nursing Home. This program fills a growing need for qualified health care workers while changing the lives of those who choose to take the next step in their careers. On November 6, 2002, 14 women and three men received their CNA certificates at an emotional graduation ceremony. They passed the state- approved nursing final exam. Two members of the class, Nancy Lou Bender and Patricia Chilcoat, scored an amazing 97 out of 100 percent overall. In fact, this was an exceptional class. The majority of the students scored an average of about 85 percent on their exams,� said Vanessa Hobbs, R.N., B.S.N., education specialist for Levindale/Jewish Convalescent. Six students in the class also had perfect
attendance throughout the course.
Certified nursing assistants routinely perform nursing tasks delegated by registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, excluding assistance with medication. They must complete a state-approved CNA training program and written and skills tests to become geriatric nursing assistants.
Four of the November graduates will begin their CNA careers at Jewish Convalescent & Nursing Home. The other 13 will work at Levindale. At a time when there is a shortage of health care workers industrywide, Levindale and Jewish Convalescent are proud to offer this course four times a year, absolutely free of charge. The course is open to anyone who wants to begin a career in the medical field.
Since the program began two years ago, approximately 250 people have become certified nursing assistants through the Levindale/Jewish Convalescent program. On graduation night, there was not a dry eye in the room,� said Karen Evans, R.N., M.S.N., education consultant for Levindale/Jewish Convalescent. The sense of accomplishment and pride was a true inspiration to everyone who was there.�
Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital and Jewish Convalescent
& Nursing Home are part of the LifeBridge Health system, which is one of the largest, most comprehensive and most highly respected providers of health-related services in the Northwest Baltimore region.
