Forty-five graduate from SRJC assistant nursing program

Santa Rosa Junior College’s Health Sciences Department celebrated the graduation of the 2017 certified nursing assistant program students on Wednesday.

Among the 45 participants this summer are 15 students from Elsie Allen High School. Elsie Allen students attended a lecture at their high school, then were transported to SRJC for the use of the Skills Laboratory in preparation for their clinical rotations at skilled nursing facilities. The costs for the Elsie Allen students, including transportation, textbooks, and uniforms, were supported by the Elsie Allen High School Foundation.

In addition, the Arthur N. Rupe Foundation supported the state testing and other student costs for all 45 students, reinforcing student success and completion of the CNA program.

The Certified Nursing Assistant program is a first step for many students on their path to careers in healthcare. SRJC students pursuing associate degrees in nursing worked as instructional assistants during the summer, mentoring, tutoring and driving the high school concurrent students.

As Deborah Chigazola, health sciences dean, explained, “All the instructional assistants previously had experience as CNAs and brought a real life, as well as a can-do attitude, to the program and students. CNA is an excellent training for first generation college students and low-income students. Upon completion of the SRJC CNA Program, students are eligible to take the state test and become Certified Nursing Assistants.”