New York State Department of Labor
Profiles of Promising Practices
CERTIFIED NURSE'S AID PROGRAM
Columbia Greene Community College
Winter 2000 - Present

Purpose

• To meet local nursing homes’ and hospitals’ occupational demands for Certified Nurse’s Aids (CNAs).

How It Works

• Through a combination of five agencies, a certification class was developed targeting TANF recipients, public housing residents, and other low-income individuals.
• Instructors from Columbia Greene Community College’s (CGCC) nursing department deliver the training to approximately 15 students per class over the course of four weeks.
• Following the training, the initiative focuses on the employment of graduates and on assisting local nursing homes, hospitals, and home healthcare agencies to hire qualified CNAs.

Results

• The three classes enrolled a total of 42 job-seeking customers:
  • 33 customers completed the training.
  • 30 customers passed the Nurse’s Aid certification test.
  • 32 customers found employment.
  • Of the 42 originally enrolled in the CNA training, 27 individuals remain employed in the health care field.
  • All performance measures for the programs have met or exceeded their performance goals.
  • Graduates’ average wage was $8.50 per hour compared to the average wage of $7.96 per hour for the area.

How They Did It

• A number of agencies and programs contributed to the initiative. During the initial class, the following partners were responsible for the subsequent activities:
  • CGCC’s Office of Community Service offered the training as a non-credit class, and handled administrative aspects of the training.
  • CGCC’s Nursing Department was responsible for developing the curriculum, providing the instructors, and arranging the clinical part of the training.
  • CGCC’s Workforce Investment Office was responsible for coordinating Welfare-to-Work, Bridge College-to-Work, and JTPA (now WIA) customers. In addition, they assessed all potential students and offered job placement and post employment services.
  • The Hudson Housing Authority, the Catskill Housing Authority and Public Housing Drug Elimination Program were responsible for recruitment, tuition, and supportive services for housing residents.
  • The Columbia County Department of Social Services and the Greene County Department of Social Services assisted with recruitment, transportation and childcare during the training and after placement.

Start-Up Costs

• Does not apply. The Community College covered the cost of the training and charged tuition based on the number of students in the class.

Operating Costs

• Courses are offered on a periodic basis, based on customer need and availability of appropriate public funding.

Funding

• The Department of Social Services provides child care and transportation funds.
• Some nursing homes are willing to directly fund students’ tuition and fees for CNA training.

Lessons Learned

• Start up time is important to make sure that the students realize the commitment they are making and to ensure that prospective students’ health requirements are met.
• It was valuable to have nursing home staff come and talk to the students prior to enrollment about their jobs and the duties associated with being a Certified Nurse’s Aid.
• An on-site job fair at the Community College is held when students are close to completing the training. The Job Fair has been very effective.