How a Maryland CCRC is Growing the Next Generation of CNAs
Photo Credit: Montgomery Community Media16 Maryland high school students are studying to become certified nursing assistants (CNA) through a tuition-free program sponsored by Ingleside at King Farm, a LeadingAge member and continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Rockville, MD.
The high school students have been selected to participate in the 15-week CNA training program, which is administered by a local community college, and funded by a foundation established by Dr. William Leahy, an Ingleside board member and physician.
“Developing the skills to become a certified nursing assistant is a great way for young people to break into the health care field,” said Leahy, who started the High School Health Education Foundation more than a decade ago.
Students in the CNA training program receive classroom instruction from a faculty member in the Workforce Development and Continuing Education division at Montgomery College in Rockville.
The 2-hour classes take place after school on 3 afternoons a week, according to Montgomery Community Media.
On weekends, students receive clinical training under the supervision of their instructor and the nursing staff in Ingleside at King Farm’s Comprehensive Care Center.
Once they complete the CNA training course, students will be eligible to apply for Nursing Assistant State Certification or take the Geriatric Nursing Assistant exam.
“Ingleside at King Farm is proud to partner with Dr. Leahy, Montgomery College, and Gaithersburg High School to offer this program and provide students with the clinical experience they will need, in a real-life, community-based setting,” said Marilyn Leist, executive director at Ingleside at King Farm.