BAYTOWN, TX — As an instructor for the Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) course offered by the Lee College Center for Workforce and Community Development, Valencia Davis draws on decades of experience to prepare students to launch a new and rewarding healthcare career in 6 short weeks.
Her real-world insights make class content more relevant to students — all of whom have successfully passed the state CNA certification exam after completing the program, enabling them to work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and other facilities.
“The CNA course is really the entry level for the nursing field,” said Davis, a licensed vocational nurse who continues to practice while teaching at Lee College. “We focus on the fundamentals, like learning about body systems, how to obtain vital signs and how to assist someone who has lost the physical ability to do basic things for themselves. If you want to be exposed to the nursing career, this is a great way to start.”
The Lee College workforce center is now enrolling students in CNA and other non-credit programs that provide a fast track to careers in the growing healthcare industry. Registration is also open for Certified Medical Assistant, which begins this month, and Dental Assisting and Phlebotomy, which will begin in March. Dates are being finalized for the Electrocardiogram (EKG) Technician program and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program, pending state approval.
Programs are available in both traditional and online formats, and take just 6-9 weeks to complete. Additional information about costs, requirements and curricula is available via the Center for Workforce and Community Development at 281.425.6311 or www.lee.edu/workforce.
Davis finds that many students she encounters are attracted to the healthcare industry for the same reason that motivated her to pursue nursing: the desire to make a difference in the lives of others by helping them maintain their dignity, morale and positivity despite illness or disability.
“I love the enthusiasm of the students,” Davis said. “Many finish the CNA course and want to advance their education and careers even further. It opens up a world they hadn’t thought about and that, to me, speaks volumes.”