So many families have been affected by COVID-19. The family of Nicole Alley of Bluefield, West Virginia was no exception. Nicole’s husband, a truck driver, contracted COVID-19 in 2021 and ended up on a ventilator for nine days. When he came home from the hospital, severely weakened from the virus, Nicole played a big part in his rehabilitation. One day, Nicole’s husband commented, “You would make a really good nurse.” Those words remained in Nicole’s mind.
In addition to being a wife and the mother of three children, Nicole helps care for her parents on a regular basis. With a desire to prepare for future health care needs in her family, Nicole completed an online course on December 15, 2021 to become a certified caregiver. When she went to the local UPS office to print her certificate, she was informed by a UPS employee about a free Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) program in Tazewell which that employee had completed.
Nicole was interested; she wanted to learn more and test the waters to see if a career in healthcare was really for her. Shortly after that conversation, Nicole opened Facebook, and the first thing she saw was a flyer for a CNA training program being offered in spring 2022 through a partnership between Southwest Regional Adult Education (SRAE), the Tazewell County Career and Technical Center, and Heritage Hall Tazewell. Nicole contacted SRAE to apply for the training program. She was selected for the program which ran from March 8 to May 26, 2022.
Nicole enjoyed being in the class and found that she had a lot in common with her classmates even though they were of different ages. Nicole noted that the CNA instructor, Eunice Graham, had a real passion for teaching and provided much support to her students along the way. Nicole was very appreciative for how SRAE provided the textbooks and all the additional supplies that the students needed for the class including scrubs to wear to clinicals.
Nicole shared that the opportunity to work on two different shifts during the cohort’s clinical training at Heritage Hall Tazewell provided a good learning experience. Students were able to see the similarities and differences between each of the shifts. Regarding her clinical experience, Nicole reflected, “Caring for the elderly is important; a lot of them just want someone to talk to. When caring for people, it is important to respect and care for them the best way that you can.” She continued, “I didn’t realize how much fulfillment I would find in taking care of complete strangers.”
Nicole completed the program curriculum and then earned her CNA certification on May 31, 2022 by passing the state board exam. When asked what has changed for her since participating in the program, Nicole stated, “I have more confidence than I have had in a long time.” With that renewed confidence, Nicole applied for admission to Bluefield State University and is currently taking pre-nursing classes in preparation to one day reach her goal of becoming a registered nurse. She has also registered to take the TEAS exam, which is a requirement for applying to nursing school.
We congratulate Nicole Alley on her success in completing the CNA program and then becoming a college student!