Now In Third Year, School District of New Berlin's Certified Nursing Assistants Program Serves Approximately 50 Students

June marks the completion of the third year of the School District of New Berlin’s on-site certified nursing assistant program.

This program was created to support students interested in pursuing healthcare related careers after graduation. The district now supports approximately 50 students annually to complete the course which includes skills training in the lab located at New Berlin Eisenhower and clinical rotations at LindenGrove New Berlin. Students from New Berlin West are provided time and transportation as needed to take the class at Eisenhower.

Students have the opportunity to take the state’s certification exam. Being listed on the Wisconsin Certified Nursing Assistant Registry is required for students to secure employment as a CNA and other related healthcare positions. The CNA certification is also a prerequisite for many healthcare related collegiate education programs.

SDNB students who are successful in earning their CNA license have the opportunity to pursue jobs in the region at local hospitals and senior care centers to gain experience in nursing and exposure to other related occupations before they finalize their post-secondary plans. CNAs who are under 18 also complete the state’s Youth Apprenticeship program, which earns them another credential that can complement their resume.

“This class and my CNA position at LindenGrove has certainly influenced me and my career goals,” said New Berlin West senior Alyssa Gryzinski. “It has broadened my perspective because of the many different viewpoints I have been exposed to. I am really confident now about my decision to study Nursing at Concordia University in fall.”

The CNA lab was originally funded through a generous sponsorship from LindenGrove New Berlin. The Wisconsin Fast Forward Pupil Grant program helped subsidize initial operating costs.

“Sustaining this program takes a collective commitment from the SDNB Board of Education, the State of Wisconsin (Career and Technical Education Incentive Grants), WCTC (staffing) and community partners,” said Laura Schmidt, Strategic Advisor to the Superintendent.”

“We are especially grateful for LindenGrove’s continued support of this program,” Schmidt added. “They continue to sponsor the clinical rotations and are the single largest employer of our students each and every year. This is a great example of a win-win business-education partnership we hope continues for years to come.”