Kindness and Compassion

“When you’re a nurse, you know that every day you will touch a life or a life will touch yours.” - Unknown

For anyone who has ever been under the care of a nurse, you know how special of a profession it is. They see people at their worst, yet provide hope and comfort on a daily basis.

Fortunately for people living in our community who want to pursue such a profession, there is an opportunity to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) without traveling out of town.

Boundary Community Hospital, in conjunction with North Idaho College (NIC), offers classes four times each year. In addition to a desire to help others, becoming a CNA requires 120 hours of instruction – 80 hours of classroom instruction and 40 hours of clinical experience.

According to Lauren Kuczka, Director of Marketing and Community Relations at Boundary Community Hospital, at the end of the 120 hours of training candidates take a certification examination at the North Idaho Workforce Training Center in Post Falls. Once certified, the Nursing Assistant can work anywhere throughout Idaho and states with which Idaho has reciprocity.

One can begin CNA training as early as 16 years of age, and a high school or college diploma is not a prerequisite. Once certified, the candidate is ready to join the work force.

Tracey Maas, RN teaches the Certified Nursing Assistant program and explains the advantages of becoming a CNA. “They (CNAs) are the backbone of the healthcare system,” said Maas. “A CNA has a wide range of employment options. Employers hire CNAs to work in hospitals, assisted living homes, nursing homes, home care agencies, rehabilitation centers, doctor’s offices, outpatient medical and surgical offices, hospices, respite care, group homes and in schools. Choices available to CNAs include working with children, with the elderly, and with any age in-between.”

For those who are elderly and who prefer to stay in their own home, a CNA can provide some of the assistance with daily living. “Many times indirect care like housekeeping and running errands are part of the CNA’s job. On the other end of the age spectrum, children with long-term problems and needs can receive good care in the comfort of their homes with assistance from a CNA,” said Maas.

For many CNAs this is also an opportunity to see if they would like to further their education in the healthcare field, many becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse.

“A CNA certification is an educational requirement for becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse in many nursing programs,” said Maas.

Boundary Community Hospital employs nearly 40 CNAs as full-time, part-time and per diem employees. Some have worked in our community hospital for many years while others are recent graduates of the CNA class.

If you are interested in pursuing the education to become a CNA, class meets at the Fry Healthcare Education Center across from the hospital, from 8am to 4:30pm on Tuesday and Thursday of each week. The schedule for 2016 is below:

Winter Semester - January 18 through March 10

Spring Semester - March 22 through May 12

Summer Semester - June through July

Fall Semester - September through November

For more information, contact Tracey Maas at 208.267.3141 ext 4312 or email her at tracey.m@bcch.org.

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