Grant-funded Program Prepares Nursing Students for the Workforce

At Southington Care Center, five nursing students were recognized for the completion of their studies. Welcoming a handful of certified nursing assistants to the workforce.

“Introducing the CNA program early on to nursing and allied health students will optimize their holistic growth as future healthcare professionals. It is a promising strategy to help stabilize our future nursing workforce” Warly Remegio, vice president of nursing education & professional development, Hartford HealthCare said.

Such an opportunity is made possible thanks to Hartford HealthCare Senior Services’ grant-funded certified nursing assistant program. Funding was provided by Jefferson House, located at 1 John H. Stewart Drive in Newington, which offers short-term/outpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing and palliative care.

The program includes tuition, books, scrubs and the Connecticut Certified Nurses Aide Exam. Applicants must have their high school diploma, be 18 or older and have transportation. Classroom education is held on Zoom, labs are held in Southington and clinical training is held in Newington and Southington.

Classroom training included basic human physiology, anatomy and a variety of required aide skills. In various healthcare settings, students worked alongside CNAs to learn more and achieve hands-on experience in personalized care.

“Good preclinical experience for nursing students, that provided me with the skill set to serve the community in the near future,” Imani Alford, Quinnipiac University student said.

Graduates stemmed from various backgrounds. The youngest graduate 18 years old, one from Massachusetts, one Hartford HealthCare employee and three students from the Quinnipiac University. Graduates included: Ashante Jackson Pusey, Rachel Bonasia, Imani Alford, Nickolle Manzueta and Rei Xhindole.

“This program was an amazing experience because of my instructor Dawn. It gave me a whole new appreciation and insight of the occupation that I have never known before. In the future, I hope to become a nurse for labor and delivery,” Nickolle Manzueta, secretary, cardiology, Hartford Hospital said.

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