91�㽶��Ƶ

This spring, 91�㽶��Ƶ (NPC) is once again offering an opportunity for students to obtain both their High School Equivalency (such as the ®GED) and prepare for certification and licensure as a nursing assistant at the same time. Best of all, it is free of charge.

The Nursing Assistant Training Integrated Education Program (NAT-IET) is designed to combine education with training to prepare students who do not have a high school diploma, or perhaps those who want to improve their basic skills, to become workforce-ready as certified nursing assistants or licensed nursing assistants.

The program begins with an 8-week workforce readiness course (CCP 103) that runs from March 17 through May 9 at all NPC locations. Classes will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:40 to 11:10 a.m.

In this first pre-session class, students will gain the tools and requirements they need to enroll in the NAT 101 Nursing Assistant Training Course. The NAT 101 course will be offered this fall at NPC’s Winslow, Show Low, and Springerville locations.

One hundred percent of the tuition for the Workforce Readiness CCP 103 class is free to in-state students. Upon successful completion of CCP 103, students can then take the follow-up NAT 101 course for free. Tuition funds are covered by the College & Career Preparation (CCP) Scholarship.

In the program’s first cohort which ended this past December, thirteen students completed the program. Several of them immediately gained employment as nursing assistants in the area. NPC Faculty in College and Career Preparation Jesse Reeck said, “It was incredible to see the looks of accomplishment on the student’s faces when they completed the program. It is a lot of work, but NPC faculty and staff are there for students every step of the way, and the rewards are hugely impactful, both in terms of your education and your career.” She added, “The pre-session is a great opportunity to explore the field and find out if this is really the next step for you, all while strengthening your academic and professional skills. For students also pursuing their High School Equivalency (HSE or GED®), this is the chance to simultaneously advance toward earning the HSE and pursuing a career in healthcare.”

For Gloria and Liliana Soto-Segura, the program laid the way for a fruitful new chapter in their lives. The sisters are full-time mothers and are the first generation in their families to finish high school and pursue higher education in the medical field. English is also a second language for Gloria and Liliana, which added another level of difficulty for them. While juggling their work and family obligations, the sisters leaned on each other for support. Liliana said, “Gloria inspired me. She has five kids and so much going on, but she was always encouraging. She set an example. She’d call me when she completed a test for the GED and be so excited. Getting those messages was so encouraging. We can do it! We’re almost there! We have only one more test left!” Liliana explained that in addition to strengthening the bond between the sisters, although she felt intimidated at first, everyone in the program made her feel like the achievement was possible. “As a class, we didn’t look down on each other. We were all on the journey together, and we encouraged each other to get to the finish line.”

Gloria said, “The biggest challenge for me was doing everything I had been doing, raising kids, working, and then adding school on top of it. It’s been tough. It’s been a lot. But it’s been worth it. It’s been very rewarding.” She said, “I just kept thinking about the goal of getting my license, and the closer I got, the harder I worked. I told myself, ‘You’re already halfway there… only three weeks away… come on, don’t stop. The goal is right there! This is doable.” She added, “When you get to the clinicals you realize you really do make a difference in people’s lives, even if it’s just a little one. It feels good to help somebody out.”

Reeck explained, “I think this is a great model. Adult learners don’t have time to waste. This is a great way to do it all together and make good progress toward multiple goals. I am proud of what the students are accomplishing here. They are a testament to the fact that no matter what your education level or how much you have on your plate, you can achieve success.”

To register for the upcoming CCP 103 Workforce Readiness class meet with a Career and College Preparation Learning Assistant at any NPC location. For more information contact Jesse Reeck at (928) 532-6782 or email Jessica.reeck@npc.edu.

91�㽶��Ƶ serves the residents of Navajo and Apache counties with four regional campuses and five center locations. The college offers academic, career, and technical training and education as well as personal enrichment options. NPC supports each student’s educational goals through affordable tuition, small class sizes, and caring, professional instructors. For more information visit .