High school-based CNA program celebrates Class of 2019

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Six more Charles City High School students have received their certificates as certified nursing assistants, completing the required coursework and clinical experience while still in school.

It was the second graduation for the program that was started last school year through the efforts of Iowa BIG North and the Chautauqua facilities in Charles City.

The six graduates this year are Mason Holmen, Thea Montemayor, Billie Rodemaker, Lauren Connell, Olivia Wolfe and Aallyah Holdman.

Holmen told the Press he has always had an interest in the medical field.

“I’ve told people that I want to become a nurse, and they kind of made fun of me, saying that’s really not a guy’s job, it’s more for a girl. I think joining this class, I wanted to prove a point that it’s for anyone,” he said.

Connell said she likes talking with people and helping people.

“I came into the class saying I had nothing to lose,” she said. “I came into it thinking, ‘you’re going to gain so many life skills from this class, even if it’s not, like, near the medical field.’

“I gained so many people skills, not just learning how to give people showers. It was more than just the curriculum or the classes. It was talking to other people. Learning more about life and other people,” Connell said.

Kathy Cerwinske, RN, the corporate quality manager at Chautauqua Guest Homes and the instructor for the course, said she remembers a commercial run by the Iowa Health Care Association a few years ago that described being a CNA as “the hardest job you’ll ever love.”

“That’s one of the things I talked about when we first started the class, that that’s what we’re all about. We’re about serving people,” Cerwinske said. “I hope I’ve instilled in some of our kids, that it’s people care that we do.

“They learned very, very soon how very busy and how hectic and how hard of work this is, and so it makes a world of difference if you can look into the eyes and see the person that you’re working with … seeing the person that is there that you are serving,” she said.

The school-based CNA program was approved in April 2018 by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals and includes 45 hours of classroom study and lab work and at least 30 hours of hands-on clinical work at a licensed facility.

All of the Charles City students have received their clinical experience at the Chautauqua facilities.

Chautauqua Administrator Sue Ayers encouraged the students to continue in the health care field, saying she graduated from nursing training almost 45 years age.

“I’ve been been a nurse forever and I’ve never regretted it,” she said.

“I have also been on the board of education, so I can kind of give you two perspectives here. There is nothing better for me and for the other adults in this room than when kids do good,” Ayers said.

“It takes a village to raise children. You are, now, officially, all of our children. We are so happy that you have succeeded. Congratulations on what you have accomplished,” Ayers said.

Included with their certificates received Wednesday were letters offering Chautauqua employment as a CNA to any of the students after they pass their state written and skills tests and become officially certified.

All five of the students at the ceremony Wednesday afternoon at 9th Street Chautauqua said they plan to go into some aspect of the health care field. (Graduate Aallyyah Holdman was unable to attend.)