The non-profit training center aims to solve PA’s long-term care staffing crisis and create a career path for new caregivers
PITTSBURGH – Friends, family members, staff, and supporters gathered on Friday, June 21, to celebrate the latest graduating class of the Nurse Aide Training Center (NATC), a groundbreaking new program from the non-profit Training & Education Fund (TEF).
LGAR Health & Rehabilitation Center in Turtle Creek hosted the small ceremony for the nine graduates with residents and staff of the nursing home participating. The students completed their clinicals – the hands-on portion of their training conducted under the supervision of TEF Nurse Aide instructors – at the facility earlier this month.
Pittsburgh’s nine newest healthcare professionals – Ariana Stark and Finesse Fitzgerald, of Turtle Creek; Felesia Leonard, Jewels Berlin, and Destiny Parker, of Pittsburgh; Tiara Robinson, of Duquesne; Myah Davidson, of Monroeville; Charlene Williams, of Munhall; Destinee Coleman, of Penn Hills – will take their certification exams soon and most will have jobs waiting for them through TEF partner employers.
“It almost felt like this program found me – I felt like it was a sign from God,” said Finesse Fitzgerald, a graduate of the NATC. “The timing was perfect and everyone in the program was so supportive and helpful.”
“I’m planning on continuing my education and earning my RN,” she continued. “And I’m so glad I started my path here with the Nurse Aide Training Center and these amazing women.”
The Nurse Aide Training Center was created to help solve the long-term care staffing crisis and create a path for Allegheny County community members to access family-sustaining healthcare careers. The center offers a part-time schedule that allows for a more flexible learning opportunity as well as guaranteed job-placement assistance after students pass their certification exams.
“Not just anyone can be a CNA,” said Katrina Allard, RN, BSN, an instructor with the NATC. “It takes tremendous compassion and caring. It takes dedication, strength, and thoughtfulness. And it’s not an easy program. These women have completed 110 hours of intense classroom instruction, lab work, and clinicals. They worked hard and they deserve this honor. Our community needs them and I can't wait to see how they shine as caregivers.”
The Nurse Aide Training Center is accepting applications now for its Aug. 19 course start date. Contact the Training & Education Fund at 1-888-331-6540.
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The Training and Education Fund is a nonprofit organization aimed at enhancing the quality of care and services in the healthcare industry. We support healthcare workers by helping them achieve their career and personal development goals and help healthcare employers to foster a stable, highly-trained workforce to meet the needs of all Pennsylvanians.
