Gregory Mullins of Jolo, West Virginia, has been working at Buchanan General Hospital in Grundy, Virginia for the past five years. For the past two years, he has worked as a patient care assistant (PCA) there. Gregory had a desire to upgrade his skills, and when his boss, RN Rebecca Hensley (3rd Floor Director), mentioned a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program that was being offered by Southwest Regional Adult Education at the Buchanan County Career, Technology, and Higher Learning Center, Gregory was ready to take action.
This CNA program, which was tuition-free for participants and offered classes three evenings each week, seemed to be a good fit with Gregory’s work schedule. Gregory completed the application process and was accepted into the program which began on April 12 and ran through June 23, 2021.
Gregory loved that the program provided lots of hands-on learning opportunities. He commented that the CNA instructors, Beth Matney, RN and Tammy Ratliff, LPN, were wonderful teachers. Gregory recalled that they were very understanding even at times when he had to arrive to class a little late due to his work schedule. Gregory appreciated that the program provided items such as scrubs, stethoscopes, blood pressure monitors, and everything else that the students needed to learn and practice their skills. Gregory also mentioned an instance when Program Manager Linda Allen gave him a Walmart card to purchase gasoline for his vehicle.
The biggest challenge Gregory faced while participating in this training program was finding time to study and sleep while working full time, but he was able to make it work. Gregory experienced much success in the program earning certifications in CPR & AED training, Northstar Digital Literacy’s five categories of Essential Computer Skills, and Virginia’s REVIVE! training for opioid overdose reversal using NARCAN® (Naloxone) Nasal Spray.
He also completed 40 hours of clinical training at Heritage Hall in Grundy. Gregory shared that a valuable lesson he learned in the program was to be culturally sensitive to the patients and colleagues he worked with. When it came time to take the CNA state board exam, Gregory felt very anxious. He appreciated that the exam administrator reassured him and helped him to overcome his testing anxiety. Gregory took and passed his CNA board exam on July 26, 2021.
Gregory continues working at Buchanan General Hospital now as a CNA. He has upgraded his skills and is able to do more to assist patients as a CNA than he could do as a PCA. Gregory commented, “I am now more knowledgeable at my job and can perform better. It was a wonderful class. I learned a lot, and I am grateful to have been a part of the class.”
SRAE congratulates Gregory Mullins on his successful completion of the CNA program! Instructors for the class were Beth Matney, RN; Tammy Ratliff, LPN; Charles Boyd, and Dwight Lester.
For more information about Integrated Education & Training (IET) programs in the region, contact Southwest Regional Adult Education at 276-889-5424.