Seven students graduated from Care Assistants to Nurse Aides in the earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship program during a ceremony April 24, 2025, at Walter Reed Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Gloucester, Virginia.
The students went through what instructors call “CNA boot camp,” which includes six weeks of classwork, 14 tests, learning 22 skills, and completing clinical skills labs and on-the-floor experience at Walter Reed. The program also covers the cost of the state certification exam to be a CNA once students graduate the course.
The graduates are: Aaliyah Brown, Trinnity Harris, Kayla Johnson (Heart Award), Dominic Jordan (clinical superlative), Samantha Newton (salutatorian), Adrienne Smith and Ashtin Staton (valedictorian).
The graduates join the Virginia Health Services teams at Coliseum, Lancashire and Walter Reed Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers.
In addition to being joined by friends and family at the ceremony, the graduates heard from VHS President and CEO Mark Klyczek, Walter Reed Administrator Bryant Hudgins and Director of Education Princess Henderson. VHS Vice President of Nursing Rebecca Boyd and Walter Reed Director of Nursing Lana Ketch also were in attendance.
“Thank you for taking the opportunity in front of you with VHS,” Mark said. “You did the work to accomplish this. We hope you keep doing the work, and stay with this and with VHS a very long time and grow.”
Princess, who was the valedictorian of her class with VHS 17 years ago, told the students that they meshed well from the beginning and this experience was a stepping stone.
“I hope I was an inspiration to you,” she said. “Let this open as many doors as you can. Use this as a foundation to develop into better healthcare workers.”
The students
The students’ primary instructor Tracy Williams, MSN, BSN, RN, and instructor Nora Gillespie, RN, reflected on the students’ successes during the ceremony.
“This class really created bonds,” Tracy said. “I was impressed with how quickly they picked up on clinical skills. They are kind and compassionate.”
Aaliyah Brown will be a great team member, Tracy said. The residents loved her.
Nora said she encouraged Trinnity Harris, who was working at Walter Reed and interested in nursing school, to enroll in the class — “I told her it would make her a better nurse.”
Heart Award recipient Kayla Johnson “took good care of her residents and was a true advocate for them,” Tracy said. Kayla received a compliment from a veteran resident who said the care she provided was what he hoped to get every day.
The only male in the class, Dominic Jordan always jumped in wherever he was needed. Tracy said he mastered skills quickly.
“He was helpful to all staff and his classmates,” Tracy said of the clinical superlative recipient. “Residents complimented his gentle touch.”
Nora told salutatorian Samantha Newton “you can see your spark in everything you do.” Samantha started as a Care Assistant on the Memory Care Unit at Lancashire Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Kilmarnock, commuting to Gloucester each day for class.
Adrienne Smith took on some of the ornerier residents and did a great job, Tracy said. At least one resident called her “an angel.”
The valedictorian
Valedictorian Ashtin Staton excelled in clinicals on the Memory Care Unit, Tracy said.
“We know your heart is always in the right place,” Nora told her. “It just shows.”
Ashtin thanked the friends and family members in attendance for supporting her and her classmates to be the best versions of themselves. She also thanked the instructors, complimenting Tracy for selecting students that meshed so well together.
“I’m very proud of you,” she said to the class during her valedictory remarks. “Thank you for making this class fun and a joy to look forward to; I couldn’t do it without you guys. Today is not about looking back, it’s about looking forward with hope and excitement as we step into the world beyond these walls, we embark on a new chapter filled with endless possibilities and opportunities …
“This path to becoming a CNA has shown how big your heart can be for the people you care about personally and the residents we have come to love. … Our stories are still being written. … This chapter is a foundation for all of us. I don’t know where we’ll end up in our lives, but I wish you all the best.”
Closing remarks
Bryant, who also started with VHS as a member of the CNA class, thanked the students for choosing Walter Reed.
“We talk a lot about heart and compassion, and these students had it,” Bryant said. “When you have students say they want to take care of someone else, that’s a special person. They were a good class. They were engaged and all-in.”
About the program
The next apprenticeship session starts May 12, with classes being offered on the Peninsula and at Lancashire Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Kilmarnock. Learn more about the program at vahs.com/apprenticeship.
