Certified nursing program graduates fifth class of students

NEWINGTON – A homemaker, a pet store employee, and a housekeeper at a nursing facility responded when the opportunity arose to enter a new career field as certified nursing assistants.

These three individuals were among the group of 10 students who on Nov. 15 received certificates of completion for the free CNA training program offered by Hartford HealthCare Senior Services and funded by the Jefferson House Foundation. The grant funds tuition, books, scrubs, testing and the Connecticut Certified Nurses Aide Exam.

Over the course of 12 weeks, the students underwent over 140 hours of intensive education in the classroom and in several Hartford HealthCare settings including skilled nursing and assisted living. During the congratulatory ceremony at Jefferson House, located at 1 John H. Stewart Drive, representatives from Hartford HealthCare Senior Services providers encouraged them to apply for open positions.

Mary Ellen “Mell” Hobson, RN, MSN, contracted program coordinator and instructor, said the students had excelled in the face of various challenges, working together to build strengths to become an exemplary team.

Saundrica West, of Meriden, works in housekeeping at Southington Care Center where she saw previous CNA students in action. “I wanted to do more with my life,” so she decided to apply. She values the relationships she has already established with residents. As a CNA she could build upon that connection, she said. “I want to care for them the way I would want my mom to be cared for.”

Giovanna Miciak, of Southington, has a compassionate heart for helping those who need extra services: her child has special needs. When she talked with several friends who are nurses, she realized that as a CNA she could help others and is now thinking about applying for an assisted living position. Yadira Clarke, who also has her degree in accounting, heard about the program from a previous graduate. She decided to try a health career where she could provide good customer service and connect with people.

Constance Jascowski, of Newington, learned about the program from a newspaper article. She feels the skills will help her better care for her husband who is ill and she hopes someday to work in hospice. “I’ve had a lot of loss in my life,” she said, explaining her life experience could help others in the same situation.

Other students in this fifth class included Vera Damoah, Naoshabel Figueroa, Blake Hanscom, Christine Michaud, Anita Mingle and Amber Oquendo.

The next step is taking and passing the Connecticut Certified Nurses Aide Exam after which they can enter the work force in a variety of settings including assisted living, long-term skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation.

For more about future classes, email CNAtraining@hhchealth.org or call 860.406.9050.

Hartford HealthCare Senior Services is a not for profit under Hartford HealthCare. For more information about Hartford HealthCare Senior Services, visit https://hhcseniorservices.org.