Connection July/August 2023
In this Issue …
Moody Black Delivers Summer Commencement Address..................4
Som Linthicum Honored with TCTC’s Staff Excellence Award.......5
Nursing Advisory Committee Recognized for Achievements.........6
New Workforce Development Program Announced, Training Center Opened Officials from TCTC, Honor Health Career Programs (HHCP) and HMR Veterans Services, Inc. (HMRVSI), announced a new workforce development program—the first of its kind in the U.S.—that created an on-site training program for certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to pursue a licensed practical nursing (LPN) credential at the Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home in Anderson. The program addresses a critical shortage of health care workers and removes barriers to career development, economic mobility and accessibility to education. HMRVSI provides the learning environment, TCTC delivers the education, and HHCP provides mentoring and funding for tuition, books and supplies. From left, Kimaka Evans, Samantha Keefe and Caitlyn Kimaka Evans, Samantha Keefe and Caitlyn Phillips, all certified nursing assistants (CNAs) employed at the Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home in Phillips, all CNAs employed at the nursing home, Anderson, were the first HMRVSI employees to enroll in were the first HMRVSI employees to enroll in the program and to take classes in the on-site education the program and to take classes in the on-site education and training center. All three completed the program and and training center. All three completed the earned their LPN degrees this summer. program and earned their LPN degrees this summer. In addition to earning their LPN degrees and meeting a critical workforce need, they increased their earning potential and have an established pathway to a registered nurse degree and beyond. Both Evans and Phillips plan to pursue their RN degree while working as LPNs, and Keefe plans to study to become a nurse practitioner while working as an LPN. A shortage of LPNs at the nursing home prompted HMRVSI to contact TCTC to initiate an agreement that would create an educational pathway for qualified CNAs to enroll in the three-semester program. The cohort takes classes while working at the nursing home. Offering an on-site LPN program provides a low-cost education to the student and creates a career pathway in health care. It also removes other common barriers that can prohibit a student from enrolling, such as travel time to a college campus and the cost of tuition, books and supplies. HHCP is providing additional funds to these students to offset any other costs associated with uniforms and supplies. This program prepares CNAs to successfully complete the LPN program and pass the National Council Licensing Exam. (continued on page 12)