Virginia Health Services added six Nurse Aides to its ranks with the apprenticeship program graduation ceremony Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, at Walter Reed Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Gloucester.

The six-week earn-as-you-learn program includes classwork, clinical skills labs and on-the-floor experience. The program also covers the cost of the state certification exam to be a CNA.

The graduates — Brianna Casey, Marva Grizzle, Angelique Wade (valedictorian), Keira Watkins (salutatorian), Sierra Watlington and Jenna West — will continue on as VHS team members at Walter Reed and York.

They were joined by friends, family and members of the Walter Reed and VHS corporate team, including Vice President of Operations Don Lundin and Vice President of Nursing Rebecca Boyd, Walter Reed Director of Nursing Lana Ketch, RN, Administrator Bryant Hudgins and Assistant Administrator Jazmin Cuevas-Perez.

Program education

The students were led by Training and Education Coordinator Tracy Williams, BSN, RN at Walter Reed, and were joined by Director of Education Princess Henderson, RN, BSN, and instructor Nora Gillespie, RN, for the ceremony.

“I was teaching the young lady I was (when I took) this class. It’s a vigorous class,” Tracy said. “After the first weekend of on-the-job-training, they were ready to keep up with the residents they saw. I got compliments from all of the floor nursing team.”

Princess called the class a stepping stone to their futures in healthcare, as hers was when she started with VHS in 2008, going from CNA through nursing school for her RN, and moving into leadership roles.

Bryant was a member of the first CNA class at Walter Reed nearly 30 years ago. He completed nursing school to be an LPN and then became a licensed administrator with VHS.

“It is truly an entrance to healthcare, where there are all kinds of opportunities,” he said. “We’re grateful you chose us as where you started. It takes a lot of compassion and heart to take care of other people, and your support system is the backbone needed to take this adventure.

“Our team and our community need more caregivers and big smiling faces.”

The students

Marva, who received the Champion Award, came into the class with healthcare experience but, as Nora said, had to relearn the tested methods.

“She was open to unlearning what she had done before,” Nora said, “and has a smile that can light up the whole room.”

Brianna Casey, who earned the Clinical Superlative Award and was in the running for salutatorian, was “all-in,” Nora said.

Tracy said Sierra Watlington, who worked for Walter Reed prior to joining the class, was comfortable on the floor and requested to work on the Memory Care Unit.

“It takes a special person to spend time on that unit,” Tracy said. Nora added it takes patience, tremendous heart and organization — and Sierra cares about everything she does.

Jenna West jumped right in and picked up on skills quickly after having a delayed start to joining the class.

Keira Watkins, the salutatorian, “never stops smiling,” Tracy said. She missed being top of the class by a point.

The valedictorian

Angelique rose to the top to be honored as class valedictorian. She excelled in every aspect of the class, Tracy said, and was always helping members of the Walter Reed team.

“She has a good heart,” Nora said.

Angelique delivered remarks to those in attendance, congratulating her classmates.

“We have successfully taken the first step on an exciting journey. … Here we stand together ready to embark on the new chapter of life as certified nurse assistants. It takes a special type of person to be a CNA, to see a person live through the toughest moments of their lives and do that caring not only for their physical but mental wellbeing,” she said.

“Every time I work on the floor, I remind myself that the residents are not living at our jobs, we are working at their homes. In class we learn about compassion — I see compassion in every one of our graduates today. … Here I truly felt like I belonged.”

She thanked those in attendance and Tracy.

“We wouldn’t be here without each other and words cannot express my appreciation for my fellow graduates and our teacher Miss Tracy. … I remind you going forward to always be compassionate to one another and always strive for excellence.”

What’s next

The students will go through reviews with the education team to prepare them for the state certification exam.

“We’re invested in our students and want to make you the best,” Nora said. She reviewed taking blood pressure with the students at Walter Reed. “You must have a good heart and good skills, and you’ve got it.”

Join the team

Applications are open for the apprenticeship program’s next class at Walter Reed, which runs Jan. 13-Feb. 24.

The earn-as-you-learn program apprenticeship program graduates Care Assistants to Nurse Aides and covers the cost of the state certification exam to be a CNA. The nearly six-week course includes classwork, skills labs and on-the-job training at our nursing and rehabilitation centers. You continue on as a team member at VHS upon graduation.

Visit vahs.com/apprenticeship to learn more and apply.