Certified Nurse Aide program opens door to healthcare career for student
Friday, August 28, 2020
A Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) is often the first step for students to explore healthcare careers because of its emphasis on direct patient care. That’s what guided Jeremiah DeMoss’s ambitions, a December 2019 graduate of the CNA program at Northeast Iowa Community College and the Manchester Center.
MANCHESTER—Successful healthcare professionals, whether they are nurses, doctors, medical assistants or respiratory therapists, tend to share one key motivation for their life’s work: they began careers in healthcare to serve patients and care for others.
A Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) is often the first step for students to explore healthcare careers because of its emphasis on direct patient care. That’s what guided Jeremiah DeMoss’s ambitions, a December 2019 graduate of the CNA program at Northeast Iowa Community College and the Manchester Center (pictured at right with Kali Meeker).
“I initially wanted to become a nurse and learned that it’s a good idea to become a CNA first. Even though I changed my program at NICC to Radiologic Technology, I’m happy that I've chosen to be a CNA because every day I get to help people and make someone’s day a little bit better,” Jeremiah explained. “I’ve always been fascinated with the human body.”
Jeremiah is an essential worker, working long hours at the Good Neighbor Society in Manchester at just the right time. During the COVID-19 crisis, CNAs are critical to providing healthcare services each day for residents in long term care facilities.
“The staff at the Good Neighbor Society are incredible because the managers actually care about our well-being and we're not just treated like an average worker. Our boss reads us all the thank-you letters we get from the resident's families, and they constantly tell us thank you for all we do for the residents,” he said.
Kali Meeker, human resource director, praises Jeremiah’s commitment to healthcare and personal compassion for others.
“Jeremiah has a smile that is contagious to others. He is beyond dedicated to his goal of helping others and spreading kindness to all walks of life. His sense of integrity and determination will continue to carry him through his medical journey. We are grateful to have Jeremiah as part of our amazing staff at the Good Neighbor Society,” Kali expressed
Jeremiah is also grateful for the career guidance NICC provided through its CNA program and from Manchester Center Director Holly Maurer, who also provides academic and career advising.
“You definitely feel the positive energy with staff and on campus at Northeast Iowa Community College, and that helped me succeed,” said Jeremiah.
“Without the partnership between NICC and the Good Neighbor Society, our ability to find and develop heathcare workers would be limited. We are grateful for the collaboration so that we can continue to serve Delaware County with knowledgeable, dependable health care workers,” Meeker commented.
The Manchester Center has assisted 281 graduates of the CNA program since January 2011. The majority of these graduates found employment prior to the completion of their certification, Maurer explained.
“We are extremely thankful for our partnership with the Good Neighbor Society. This partnership allows our students to engage in a hands-on learning environment, while receiving the training to allow them to enter the workforce locally or continue their education,” she said.