Nine from RCC plug into nurse aide career opportunities

A new six-month Virginia Community College System training program, “PluggedInVA,” allows students to gain certification in nurse aide work and also medication administration, while building employee performance skills in digital literacy, information processing, multi-tasking, and effective communication in the workplace. The pilot program, held at Rappahannock Community College’s Kilmarnock Center, has just graduated nine students from its nurse aide segment. These students will complete medication administration and career readiness training, as well as GED preparation for those who need it, during the Spring 2013 semester.

RCC Nurse Aides - PluggedINVA

Clinical facilities for the class were graciously provided by The Lancashire Convalescent and Rehabilitation Center (a Virginia Health Services facility) in Kilmarnock. Pictured (left to right, seated) are Alice Bryant of Northumberland County, Geri Ball of Richmond County, and Stephanie Merrill of Lancaster County. Standing, left to right, are Janyce “Cookie” Jones-Cooke, special programs coordinator for RCC’s Workforce Development Office; students Edna Smith of Lancaster County, Angel Faw of Essex County, Whitney Nickens of Lancaster County, Yolanda Gray of Richmond County, Brittany Owens of Essex County, and Co’Reia Noel of Northumberland County; and substitute nurse aide instructor Susie Lewis. The principal instructor for the class, Joanna Hyde, was unfortunately unable to be present on the day of the photograph.

“PluggedInVA” will be offered again starting in Fall 2013 at RCC’s Warsaw Campus, and in Spring 2014 at the Kilmarnock Center (the Spring 2014 class, however, may feature a different career path than that of nurse aide). Those interested in entering the program, or obtaining more information about it, should get in touch with Ms. Jones-Cooke at 804-435-8973 or jcooke@rappahannock.edu.

For those who prefer to take nurse aide training by itself, new RCC classes will begin soon. Prospective students who are in need of financial assistance can call Kim Kent at the Virginia Employment Commission (804-333-5095), Sherry Pearson at the Job Assistance Center in Shackelfords (804-785-2470), or RCC’s Workforce Development Office (804-758-6750 in Glenns, 804-435-8972 in Kilmarnock, or 804-333-6828 in Warsaw).

Further information is available from Karen Taliaferro, the director of RCC’s nurse aide programs, who can be reached at 804-333-6875, or at ktaliaferro@rappahannock.edu.