Southeast’s nurse assistant course prepares students for nursing program, local workforce

June 17, 2022

Middlesboro, Harlan, Pineville, Whitesburg, Cumberland—Even at the young age of 18, Clara Warren of Middlesboro knew that she would someday work as a nurse in obstetrics.

“It was that or nothing,” she said.

Still, Clara also realized that she would need to clear a few hurdles before she could achieve that goal. She began by enrolling in NAA 100, Nursing Skills I, in fall 2021. Not only is the course a prerequisite for the nursing program, but it also gave Clara a way to join the workforce immediately. She took the Nurse Aide State Competency test this January and began working as a CNA full time at Claiborne Health and Rehabilitation Center. 

“Sometimes it’s hard,” she admits of her 12-hour shifts, but she says she enjoys her job. “Honestly for me, I enjoy mealtimes when I get to talk to the patients. Relationship-building with them is very rewarding.”

According to Nurse Aide Coordinator Jennifer Nolan, “Clara is a model student who is passionate about helping others and achieving her goal of becoming an RN. Her positive attitude, friendly demeanor, and willingness to help others are some of the attributes that will make her an outstanding nurse one day.”

Clara was equally complimentary of Nolan: “I liked the way she taught. She made [the material] easy to understand. At first, I struggled with blood pressure, but she kept encouraging me until I learned it.”

Clara will continue to work full time until August when she will begin the nursing program at Southeast. She says that her job as a CNA has helped her realize that she is on the right path.

“It’s a rewarding job,” she said, “but you have to want to do it. You have to have the heart for it.”

Beginning August 15, Southeast will offer sections of NAA 100 on all five campuses—Cumberland, Harlan, Middlesboro, Pineville, and Whitesburg. For more information, call 1-855-246-7528, visit http://southeast.kctcs.edu, or email Jennifer.Nolan@kctcs.edu.

 

Clara Warren works as a CNA as she prepares to begin the Southeast Nursing program in August.