Ivy Tech's Warsaw CNA Program Approved
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
The Indiana State Department of Health has approved Ivy Tech State College's new certified nursing assistant program on the Warsaw campus, and registrations now are being accepted for the first two classes.
A day session will be offered Tuesdays through Thursdays, Sept. 9 to Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Evening sessions are Mondays through Thursdays, Nov. 4 to Dec. 20, from 4 to 8 p.m.
"The community has waited for this for a long time," said Bonnie Andrew, director of the new program and longtime Warsaw-area nurse.
"It's a blessing to watch people's reactions. On Friday, I had five phone calls from people referred to us by the state board."
CNA students will get practical experience in a new five-bed patient lab established on the Warsaw campus through a grant from the Kosciusko 21st Century Foundation.
In June the foundation announced a $171,945 award grant to Ivy Tech State College to expand health care programming on the Warsaw campus, including the addition of CNA as well as qualified medication aide, licensed practical nursing and medical assisting programs on the Warsaw campus.
"The mannequins are just wonderful and so lifelike," Andrew said, adding that students can learn to do almost everything with them.
Area businesses have contributed health care supplies to the program and nursing homes plan to visit classes to present information about job opportunities.
The five-credit CNA program meets federal and state guidelines for nursing assistant training. Students who complete the program are eligible to sit for the state competency exam.
The program includes 29 hours of classroom instruction, 13 hours of lab work, 80 hours in a clinical setting and three hours of competency examination. Cost of the program is approximately $400 for tuition. Books, supplies and exam fees are additional costs.
Students wishing to enter the program must take a college skills placement evaluation in reading, writing and math. Evaluation will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday and at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Oct. 22.
To register for the evaluation and an advising appointment, call 267-5428 and speak with the operator. For more information about the program, call Andrew at 267-5428, Ext. 6104.
Students may earn the CNA designation as a first step, leading to a bachelor's degree in nursing and beyond.
After completing CNA training, they may combine work with further training to earn the licensed practical nursing and registered nursing designations, completing much of the course work on the Warsaw campus.
The campus is currently working toward state approval for the practical nursing program.
In addition, students can take all general education requirements for the associate degree nursing program on the Warsaw campus, then transfer to Ivy Tech campuses in South Bend or elsewhere to complete the two-year degree and prepare for the state registered nursing examination.
Ultimately, they can transfer their Ivy Tech nursing degree to the bachelor's degree nursing program at Indiana University South Bend.
"It's a great way for students to be able to juggle work and family responsibilities with educational goals," said Joann Walgamuth, executive dean of the Warsaw campus.
Walgamuth said one student, Angela Friend, began nursing studies on the Warsaw campus and was recently named the first recipient of the IU South Bend Ivy Tech Transfer Scholarship. She is beginning her studies toward a four-year degree at IU South Bend this fall.
"I'm both excited and humbled to have this opportunity to build a program that is so important to our community," said Bonnie Andrew, director of Ivy Tech State College's new CNA program on the Warsaw campus.
A registered nurse with more 30 years of experience in the Warsaw area, Andrew has served as a part-time instructor at Ivy Tech State College since 1980. She has taught a variety of classes, including anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, medical office practices and medical office insurance.
She also serves as adviser for students in the practical nursing, associate degree nursing, CMA and QMA programs. One of her next projects will be to set up the lab for the Warsaw campus' new QMA program, again with the support of the K-21 grant and community partners.
"I just love what I'm doing," Andrew said. "CNAs and QMAs are often-overlooked members of the health care team, but they are a very valuable part of long-term care."
Her experience as a hospice care nurse has given her special insight into the qualities needed in a health care professional - insights she hopes to communicate to her students.
"I want students to understand that they are embarking on a journey. Every patient has a story, and health care professionals need not only technical skills, but an understanding of the unique qualities of each individual," she said. [[In-content Ad]]
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The Indiana State Department of Health has approved Ivy Tech State College's new certified nursing assistant program on the Warsaw campus, and registrations now are being accepted for the first two classes.
A day session will be offered Tuesdays through Thursdays, Sept. 9 to Oct. 25, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Evening sessions are Mondays through Thursdays, Nov. 4 to Dec. 20, from 4 to 8 p.m.
"The community has waited for this for a long time," said Bonnie Andrew, director of the new program and longtime Warsaw-area nurse.
"It's a blessing to watch people's reactions. On Friday, I had five phone calls from people referred to us by the state board."
CNA students will get practical experience in a new five-bed patient lab established on the Warsaw campus through a grant from the Kosciusko 21st Century Foundation.
In June the foundation announced a $171,945 award grant to Ivy Tech State College to expand health care programming on the Warsaw campus, including the addition of CNA as well as qualified medication aide, licensed practical nursing and medical assisting programs on the Warsaw campus.
"The mannequins are just wonderful and so lifelike," Andrew said, adding that students can learn to do almost everything with them.
Area businesses have contributed health care supplies to the program and nursing homes plan to visit classes to present information about job opportunities.
The five-credit CNA program meets federal and state guidelines for nursing assistant training. Students who complete the program are eligible to sit for the state competency exam.
The program includes 29 hours of classroom instruction, 13 hours of lab work, 80 hours in a clinical setting and three hours of competency examination. Cost of the program is approximately $400 for tuition. Books, supplies and exam fees are additional costs.
Students wishing to enter the program must take a college skills placement evaluation in reading, writing and math. Evaluation will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday and at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Oct. 22.
To register for the evaluation and an advising appointment, call 267-5428 and speak with the operator. For more information about the program, call Andrew at 267-5428, Ext. 6104.
Students may earn the CNA designation as a first step, leading to a bachelor's degree in nursing and beyond.
After completing CNA training, they may combine work with further training to earn the licensed practical nursing and registered nursing designations, completing much of the course work on the Warsaw campus.
The campus is currently working toward state approval for the practical nursing program.
In addition, students can take all general education requirements for the associate degree nursing program on the Warsaw campus, then transfer to Ivy Tech campuses in South Bend or elsewhere to complete the two-year degree and prepare for the state registered nursing examination.
Ultimately, they can transfer their Ivy Tech nursing degree to the bachelor's degree nursing program at Indiana University South Bend.
"It's a great way for students to be able to juggle work and family responsibilities with educational goals," said Joann Walgamuth, executive dean of the Warsaw campus.
Walgamuth said one student, Angela Friend, began nursing studies on the Warsaw campus and was recently named the first recipient of the IU South Bend Ivy Tech Transfer Scholarship. She is beginning her studies toward a four-year degree at IU South Bend this fall.
"I'm both excited and humbled to have this opportunity to build a program that is so important to our community," said Bonnie Andrew, director of Ivy Tech State College's new CNA program on the Warsaw campus.
A registered nurse with more 30 years of experience in the Warsaw area, Andrew has served as a part-time instructor at Ivy Tech State College since 1980. She has taught a variety of classes, including anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, medical office practices and medical office insurance.
She also serves as adviser for students in the practical nursing, associate degree nursing, CMA and QMA programs. One of her next projects will be to set up the lab for the Warsaw campus' new QMA program, again with the support of the K-21 grant and community partners.
"I just love what I'm doing," Andrew said. "CNAs and QMAs are often-overlooked members of the health care team, but they are a very valuable part of long-term care."
Her experience as a hospice care nurse has given her special insight into the qualities needed in a health care professional - insights she hopes to communicate to her students.
"I want students to understand that they are embarking on a journey. Every patient has a story, and health care professionals need not only technical skills, but an understanding of the unique qualities of each individual," she said. [[In-content Ad]]