Becoming a certified nursing assistant (CNA) can be life changing for someone who is looking for a stable income without needing a full college degree. As most people who live in Salida know, Colorado Mountain College is an essential part of our community. They provide concurrent enrollment classes, and other college courses for local high school students and community members alike, and they provide opportunities for new jobs. With a CNA only needing 75 hours of training while a four year degree requires upwards of 1,800, CMC offering this training is a game changer for our local hospital.
There are two teachers that make this course possible. Veronica Dawson teaches the in class portion of the training and Debra Eggleston teaches the clinical portion at the Columbine Manor; the local nursing home. In an interview Eggleston stated that, out of eight students in the last class, three of them are working in clinic. In the course, students are taught the basics of being a nurse aid, and many of the students are encouraged to continue on to become RN’s. Eggleston also teaches at CSU pueblo where she teaches nursing students. Eggleston also mentioned the success of previous students.
“One of the students from the last class earned the [HRRMC] scholarship and is going to school to become a nurse,” she said.
Job opportunities, such as working in long term care, rehabilitation and home care makes becoming a CNA a viable option for anyone, no matter what type of care they’re interested in. Many people leaving high school might not have a clue what they want to do with their life, but this program provides people the opportunity to enter the workforce after only one semester. Along with CMC’s local ascent program, high school students can now graduate with real world skills and an associates degree at virtually no cost. For people not participating in ascent—the program is still cheap; it is only 610 dollars for in-district students.
Aside from being useful for students here in Salida, the program also provides support for our hospital. As prices increase, staying in Salida becomes harder and harder. The bureau of labor statistics found that in June 2022, the 12-month increase in overall prices was 9.1 percent, and had been 7.0 percent or higher in the preceding 6 months. The increase in jobs in hospitals and clinics allows for regular people to have an opportunity to have a sustainable job in the workforce. CMC and this course help provide the opportunity to create a better Salida.
