Indiana—A wonderfully unique educational opportunity began at Indiana Academy (IA) four years ago. Bob Rice, Jesse Landess, and Beth Bartlett arranged with the Commonweal Foundation, in Silver Spring, Md., to provide a grant so the academy could begin a certified nursing assistant (CNA) training program for students who wished to learn this valuable trade. The Indiana Conference matched the Commonweal Foundation donation at a ratio of one-to-two dollars, for a total of over $23,000.
These funds made the following benefits to the students possible: physical examinations and TB testing, textbooks, tuition for the program, two uniforms per student, transportation costs for traveling to clinical sites, and the $60 testing fee required by the State of Indiana for students applying for licensure. In addition, each student’s account was reimbursed for 105 hours of student labor.
The new program got off to a good start with 14 students the first year! The second year the Commonweal Foundation again gave a grant for the program to continue, and with additional funding from the Indiana Conference, the program had another good year. IA provided the funding the third year, and for the current school year a grant was given by Adventist Midwest Health, under the direction of Ernie Sadau, president.
Susan Landess, R.N., B.S., taught the course for the first three years, and Donna Ferguson, R.N., M.S.N., has been the instructor this year. So far, a total of 43 students have successfully completed the program! Training involves 30 hours of classroom instruction, followed by 75 hours of clinical experience at a local long-term care facility.
At the course's conclusion, students sit for a state test. Upon receiving state certification, each student is qualified to become employed as a CNA, which carries the potential to double their earning power, while providing a needed and valuable service to persons in their care.
On Fri. evening, Feb. 11, a candlelighting recognition ceremony was conducted for this year's CNA class of nine students: Lisa Beltre, Katie Ferguson, Linda Ferguson, Adrian Hines, Phillip Mann, Kristi Merrills, Ashley Seymour, Shaylee Pritchard, and Amanda Vance. Gary Thurber, Indiana Conference president, was the featured speaker for the evening. A lovely reception followed.
One of this year's CNA graduates, Ashley Seymour, a senior from Columbus, Ind., expressed, "In addition to making it a lot easier for me to get a good job next summer, the program also helped me learn new skills in interacting with people. Mrs. Ferguson was a really good teacher and I enjoyed her class!"
Certainly the program has equipped many students to find employment quickly and to support themselves with higher-than-average student wages during academy and college days. IA plans to continue this unique training program, keeping in mind the counsel we have been given that,"Our schools must be more like the schools of the prophets. They should be training schools, … educating the youth for usefulness in this life" (Testimonies to the Church, vol. 6, 152–3).
Judith Yeoman, Indiana Conference correspondent
