- Seven students graduated from the Virginia Health Services earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship program to Nurse Aides in the August cohort.
- Students will be team members at Coliseum, James River, Northampton and York Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers.
Graduation Day
Seven students graduated from Care Assistants to Nurse Aides in the earn-as-you-learn apprenticeship program during a ceremony August 14, 2025, at the Virginia Health Services EEE Center in Newport News.
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. The program also covers the cost of the state certification exam to be a CNA once students graduate the course.
The graduates are: Dobsanabby Barnes, Vereen Dawkins James (valedictorian), Erica Francis, Nicole Gartman (salutatorian), Savannah Ivey (clinical superlative), Taylor Sanders and Justice Williams.
They completed their skills and gained hands-on experience at Coliseum Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and will join the teams at York, Northampton, James River and Coliseum.
Nursing Training and Education Coordinator Terry Williamson, LPN, said the students are all special in their own way and brought light to the class.
“I’m so proud to coordinate this program,” said Director of Education Princess Henderson, RN, BSN. “This field is so wide with so many opportunities, the sky is the limit. Nothing is impossible as long as you lead with your heart.”
Nora Gillespie, RN, who has instructed the CNA class for 11 years, told the students in her closing remarks, “Everyone has a special talent. Stick to the skills you learned and always lead with your heart. It takes a special person to work with the elderly, and you are all special.”
VHS Vice President of Nursing Rebecca Boyd also thanked the families and friends in attendance for supporting their students and thanked the program instructors.
“I’m excited to see you grow and become great nurses,” she said to the students. “And thanks to this outstanding education team! Our program is the best in the area and they are why.”
The students
Nora said the students bonded and learned the meaning of teamwork. While some entered with healthcare experience, others did not. They went through it all together.
Dobsanabby — who went by “Baby Mama” since she is pregnant — was determined and right on point with her skills, Terry said. “She has a heart for her residents.”
Erica Francis advocates passionately for her residents, Terry said, and had family members who previously went through the CNA program.
Savannah Ivey worked in the dietary department at Coliseum before a spot opened up for her in the apprenticeship class. “She’s level-headed and a team player,” Terry said. She earned the Clinical Award from the instructors for “soaring during clinicals,” Princess said.
Justice Williams returned to the program after having to leave a previous class. She nailed it confidently, Terry said, but remained humble throughout the process.
Salutatorian Nicole Gartman volunteered on a difficult unit, Terry said, and created a calmness for the class they needed. “She mothered her classmates,” Terry said.
Words of Wisdom from the Valedictorian
Vereen Dawkins James is methodical, Terry said, and brings heart to what she’s doing. She excelled in the class, but also did not have any absences, earning her the valedictorian position.
She delivered passionate remarks to her instructors, fellow classmates, and their loved ones in attendance.
“Today I would like to share with you the journey we embarked on the past six weeks,” she said. “… There were challenges along the way that each of us faced separately and as well together. I’m sure our instructors can attest to that as our group was a mixture of calm, serene as well as hyper. But together we have harnessed a wealth of knowledge that has prepared us for a future we were meant to own. …”
They celebrated learning the hard skills together, such as using the lift, and provided a lot of care and attention to “our residents, who loved us,” she said.
“We are more than ready to make our mark. … To our families and friends and teachers, thank you for your unwavering support. … Crossing the finish line was tough, but the real challenge begins now. Let’s not wait for permission, chase our ambitions. Let’s go out and create our path. … In a few weeks, we’ll add a big “C” and be CNAs,” she said.
About the program
Learn more about the program at vahs.com/apprenticeship.
