A new training program is helping area women get off public assistance, and helping long-term care facilities with chronic staffing shortages.

Saturday, May 05, 2001

A new training program is helping area women get off public assistance, and helping long-term care facilities with chronic staffing shortages.

The bilingual Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program is funded by a grant from the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership, and should provide education and assistance for 63 minority women to train as CNAs over the next three years, said bilingual instructor Glenna Kristy.

Of the six Hispanic women enrolled in the first class, all but one are primarily Spanish-speaking, Kristy said. The bilingual instruction ensures students understand all the curriculum. The class is taught in English, but Kristy translates into Spanish whenever the students need clarification. She also helps with cultural issues and other support.

&uot;You feel more comfortable speaking both languages,&uot; said student Norma Castillo.

&uot;The things we can’t say in English, we say in Spanish,&uot; said student Angelica Estrada.

This session, the students are doing their clinical study at the Good Samaritan Center. Three have already been hired as permanent employees and two others have put in applications there, Kristy said. Four of the students will likely pursue nursing degrees.

&uot;They have their foot in the door over there because of their clinicals,&uot; she said. &uot;They’re familiar with the staff, the residents, and the building itself.&uot;

The bilingual CNA’s will also be helpful communicating with Spanish-speaking residents in the nursing homes, one student said.

The program has been very successful, said Carolyn Veldman, Registered Nurse and instructor for the Riverland Nursing Assistant program.

&uot;These six students have been very responsive,&uot; she said. &uot;Their attitude has been very good, they have been very interested and very caring. It’s been an easy class to teach because they’ve made it that way.&uot;

The next nursing assistant class starts July 9. Interested applicants should call Glenna Kristy at the Albert Lea Workforce Center at 379-3409.

The 20 week training includes English classes, classroom and practical instructions, Kristy said. Participating organizations include: Community Education, Riverland Community College, and Workforce Development Inc., the Good Samaritan Center, St. John’s Lutheran Home, Thorne-Crest Retirement Center and the Albert Lea Medical Center.

In addition to CNA training, students receive career counseling, assistance with child care and transportation, job coaching, mentoring and ongoing support services, according to program literature.

Riverland provides the classroom training and advanced training options. Local business partners offer on the job shadowing, practicum training, and employment opportunities.