Success is in the air at the new Cesar E. Chavez Campus in Barrio Logan that opened for classes in September. The expanded learning environments and hands-on lab areas are already seeing record numbers of students—especially students in the Healthcare Careers classrooms. Healthcare has been one of the few industries that has experienced strong employment growth over the past three to four years. According to a Study of the Occupational Outlook in San Diego prepared by the San Diego Workforce Partnership, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses have projected industry growth of 12.3% in San Diego over the next five years, resulting in nearly 300 anticipated job openings.
Two graduates of Continuing Education’s Nursing Assistant Training program have experienced recent success in the healthcare job market. Jessica Marquez, age 23 and Abbie Fernandez, age 36 both completed the certificate program, which prepared them to pass the state Certified Nursing Assistant exam.
“I passed the state exam the first time,” said Jessica, who is now working as a CNA for Sharp Healthcare. “I was hired almost immediately after passing the exam.” Although even entry-level jobs can require some level of experience, Jessica was able to count the clinical experience she received through Continuing Education’s program toward that requirement, which impressed her employer. “During the interview when they asked me about my experience, I was able to tell them about the clinical trials.” Jessica believes that direct experience with patient care was one of the reasons she got the job.
“The clinical partners are a very important part of the rigorous program we offer, said Dean Robin Carvajal. “Students gain practice with hands-on experience, which many employers will find valuable when looking to hire skilled workers.”
In addition to the clinical trials providing beginning students with first-time hands-on experience, Continuing Education’s programs are also beneficial to students with a background in healthcare or those with specialized training. For example, Abbie Fernandez was a licensed Physical Therapist (PT) Assistant in the Philippines before moving to San Diego.
“Studying for the same PT license in the US is expensive,” she said. A friend recommended the free short-term training classes at Continuing Education and after completing a program she immediately found work as a caregiver.
Continuing Education recently expanded the Healthcare Careers program because the new Cesar E. Chavez campus, allows for increased, designated classroom space specifically for hands-on healthcare career training. “Previously we had only one classroom designated for the Nursing Assistant training,” said Dean Carvajal. “With the expansion at the new campus, we’ve already grown the space to seven classrooms, including dedicated lab areas.” In addition to Nursing Assistant, expanded certificates include Home Health Aide, Personal Care Assistant/Caregiver and the option for students to specialize in an area of rehabilitative or acute care nursing.
Both Jessica and Abbie work as instructional assistants in the classrooms at the new campus. “It feels good when a student thanks me for the help I gave them,” said Abbie. “When a student takes the state test and passes it, I feel proud because I know I helped them achieve their goal.”
“The big highlight of these programs is the instructors, said Jessica. “They go out of their way to perfect skill performance.” Jessica plans to transition into a two-year program to achieve an AA degree in Nursing, and eventually a four-year program to achieve a BSN and become a registered nurse. “The program at Continuing Education helped me confirm this profession is for me,” she said.