Five local adults are on track to become certified nursing assistants after completing the Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES adult CNA class and have already accepted jobs at the Foltsbrook Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation.
Christe Zambri, a registered nurse who teaches the Herkimer BOCES Health Science Careers program for high school students and is a teacher for the Herkimer BOCES Adult Practical Nursing Program, also taught the CNA class.
“I will say that this particular group of students came to me very quiet and unsure, but through the last few months, I have watched them grow and gain so much self-confidence,” Zambri said. “It has been a very rewarding experience for me. I look forward to seeing them work out in the field.”
The students started in the class at the beginning of July and will complete it at the end of October. They held a celebration on Friday, Oct. 20, during which the students received pins to represent their accomplishment in nursing.
They will be taking their CNA exams on Monday, Oct. 30.
The students in the class are Elena Broadbent, Shaquilla Christopher, Zoe Gage, Michael Hotaling and Toria Shepardson.
Completing the program and exams will allow the local adults to work in the healthcare industry as CNAs. It also puts them in position to work toward furthering their nursing education and becoming a licensed practical nurse through programs such as the Herkimer BOCES Adult Practical Nursing Program.
“I have always wanted to be a nurse,” Shepardson said. “This program has allowed me to take a step towards reaching my dream. I intend to apply for the LPN program next.”
Five local adults are in the process of completing a certified nursing assistant class through Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES. A celebration was held for the students on Friday, Oct. 20, and they received pins to recognize their achievement. From left: Toria Shepardson, Elena Broadbent, Zoe Gage, Shaquilla Christopher and Michael Hotaling.