It takes a special type of person to devote their lives to caring for others.
Since 1996, hundreds of such caring people have fulfilled their destiny in life through the Nursing Assistant program at Laredo Community College.
The
semester-long nursing program has established itself as one of the best training
programs in the state for this high demand health occupation, Nursing Assistant
Coordinator Arturo Navarro Jr. said.
“Hundreds of graduates from the LCC Nursing Assistant program have achieved high passing rates, including a 100 percent passing streak since 2002,” Navarro noted.
The spring 2005 class of eight graduates was recognized recently for achieving a 100 percent passing rate on the Texas Department of Human Services Certification Exam. The graduates, now certified nursing assistants, are Sara Carrillo, Edgardo Chapa, Annai Cortes, Darryl Dizon, Pedro Estrada, Melissa Garcia, Cristina Padilla and Maria Sanchez.
More than 300 students from the LCC Nursing Assistant program have graduated and become certified nursing assistants since the program’s inception. The LCC Nursing Assistant program is led by coordinator Navarro and instructor Olga Vasquez.
“The faculty and administration of the Nursing Assistant Program at LCC are extremely proud of our graduates for completing their capstone experience with great success. Their accomplishment reaffirms the college's commitment to produce highly skilled providers of care for the benefit of the region,” Dianna Miller, LCC dean of health sciences, said.
Nursing officials say that the certification is highly valued by the health care industry because it is a requirement for the nursing assistant working with Medicare clients.
While some graduates choose to gain immediate employment at nursing homes and hospitals, others opt to advance their education by continuing in the nursing or allied health education programs available at LCC.
LCC offers a one-year certificate program in vocational nursing, an associate degree nursing transition track and a two-year associate degree in nursing. Additionally, there are seven careers to choose from under the LCC Allied Health Department, where training ranges from one semester to two years.
“Our graduates have many valuable options to choose from after completing the Nursing Assistant program,” Miller said.
The LCC Nursing Assistant Program is a 15 college credit hour certificate program that encourages students from various cultural and academic backgrounds to train for skills required to function effectively as a nursing assistant in community agencies such as nursing homes, hospitals, physician's offices, health departments and public school systems.
Instruction focuses on technical vocabulary development, communication skills, clerical practices, computation methods and basic sanitation and nursing procedures. Students participate in lectures, group discussions and clinical lab practices on campus and in a hospital setting. Students who complete the program are required to take the Texas Department of Human Services Certification examination in order to practice in the state.
Cost of the four-month program is more affordable to complete at LCC than at other schools. “This is a significantly affordable learning experience when you consider that other schools with training programs are one-third costlier than the LCC program,” says Miller.
New students are currently being sought for fall 2005 admission. They are encouraged to take advantage of early advising for the new term now through Wednesday, July 27 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the LCC Kazen College Center.
Prospective students must file their application to be considered for admission to the nursing program. Applications are available in Lopez Nursing Building, room 104. Applications also are accepted for spring 2005 admission. The student applicant must have a high school or GED diploma, and a reading level of 10.5 or higher.
For more information, contact the LCC Nursing Assistant program by calling 721-5255.
Office of Marketing and Public Information
West End Washington St.
Laredo, TX 78040-4395
956- 721-5140
Fax 956-721-5443