American Red Cross of Florence first in SC to participate in nurse assistant training
For the past 20 years, students seeking certified nurse’s assistant training were not able to do so through the American Red Cross in South Carolina.
This year, however, the organization’s Florence chapter joined the organization’s Nurse Assistant Training Program – making it the only location in the state where students can get the training through the Red Cross.
Wendy Dembowski, administrative coordinator for the program in Florence, said the Pee Dee is an ideal location for the program in South Carolina because of its proximity to the Columbia area, as well as the coast.
“Florence was a strategic location because we know people will travel to Florence since it’s not too far of a drive,” Dembowski said. “We’re hoping to expand the program in the state and take on some more types of training. So we’re setting the bar very high here in Florence.”
The program consists of 162 hours of class and training time over a four-week period, with the last week being primarily clinical practice in a Florence nursing home. Full tuition for training is $1,250 -- for the first year, however, Walmart provided a grant that gives $450 to each student, dropping the price to $800.
“We’re also teamed up with DSS to allow some eligible students to train at no cost to them,” Dembowski said. “We’ve been really fortunate with our partnerships.”
Cassandra Leeks was one of six students to complete the inaugural training program on Monday. As a former certified nurse’s assistant, Leeks said this program was an excellent way for her to refresh her knowledge of the profession and prepare her for the certification test.
“I recommend this training 100 percent because of the teachers,” Leeks said. “They actually care. They go through everything with you personally, so by the time you go to take the certification you’re already prepared.”
Leeks plans to use this training as a stepping-stone into continued education, with a goal of becoming a medical lab technician in the near future.
Registered nurse and nurse assistant instructor Tiffany A. Gillard said what sets this program apart from other programs in the area is the amount of one-on-one time each student get with the instructors. She said the teachers pour their hearts into each class
“Since our classes are so small we’re able to show each student a little more attention and actually make sure they’re getting everything they need from the training,” Gillard said. “Some of the students that have come to us tried the campus setting, but it didn’t work for them. We gave them that extra care they needed to get through and helped them focus on just the training.”
For more information about the American Red Cross of Florence’s Nurse Assistant Training Program contact its office at 843-662-8121 or visit the location at 1601 W. Lucas in Florence.