Nursing Assistants Week
Nursing assistants are the most directly responsible for helping patients, providing the most basic care and comfort. Nursing Assistants Week takes place on the second full week of June to recognize nursing assistants for the vital role they play in healthcare and our communities.
Mid-State’s Nursing Assistant technical diploma is recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services as both a nurse-aide training program and competency evaluation program.
About the Nursing Assistant Program
- Complete on any campus – Adams, Marshfield, Stevens Point, or Wisconsin Rapids
- Finish the 3-credit Nursing Assistant program in as few as 6 weeks
- Start in the summer, fall, or spring terms
- Prepare for the state certification exam to become a Certified Nursing Assistant in the state of Wisconsin
- CNA Work Opportunities
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There are many different sectors of the healthcare industry that provide an array of opportunities for Certified Nursing Assistants.
- Adult day care
- Assisted living
- Home health aide
- Hospice
- Hospital
- Memory care homes
- Nursing homes
- Outpatient care center
- Personal care aide
- Travelling CNA
- Career Pathways
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Becoming a CNA is often the perfect first step to an exciting career in healthcare. Start with a Nursing Assistant technical diploma and further your education to become an LPN, RN, and more. Discover the many pathways that Nursing Assistants can pursue.
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA): Upon completion of the Nursing Assistant program, take the state certification exam to be a certified nursing assistant in the state of Wisconsin.
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): After completing the Nursing Assistant program, continue on to our two-year Nursing associate degree.
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN): After one year of the Nursing program, students are eligible to take the exam to become a licensed practical nurse.
- Registered Nurse (RN): After the full two years of the Nursing program, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) to become a registered nurse.
- Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN): Continue on to earn a bachelor's degree after completing your ADN.
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): Interested in furthering your education beyond a bachelor's degree? Become a nurse practitioner to expand your knowledge in the nursing profession.
- Meet Our Nursing Assistant Faculty
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Kathleen Orminski, RN
Instructor, Nursing Assistant“I love being an instructor at Mid-State, where I not only get to provide instruction for the Nursing Assistant program but can also guide students towards future learning opportunities and provide a solid foundation towards their goals. Nursing Assistant classes are the start for many aspects of healthcare and we get to be the ones to set the stones of that foundation.”
Lisa Whitley, RN
Instructor and Program Director, Nursing Assistant“Nursing assistants are an essential part of the healthcare team. Certified nursing assistants provide clear, concise instructions and information between staff and patients, which requires excellent communication skills. It is important for a nursing assistant to have a strong attention to detail when monitoring for physical or mental changes in patients. Flexibility, compassion, and empathy are personal qualities suited to the role of a nursing assistant.”
- Nursing Assistant for High Schoolers
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Through Mid-State Fast-Track, high school juniors and seniors can enroll in Mid-State’s Nursing Assistant program at no cost to them. Contact Recruitment to learn how to get started.
Why Nursing Assistant?
To Gain Experience
"To further gain experience and help others."
- Ashlyn
An Important First Step
"I chose the Nursing Assistant course as a stepping stone to the nursing program."
- Kendall
Passion for Caring
"I enjoy helping and caring for others."
- Samantha
Giving Back
"I chose nursing because of situations growing up so I would like to give back through nursing."
- Jordyn
Positive Influences
"I chose Nursing Assistant because my grandpa had awesome nurses, and in the future, I plan to be in the nursing field."
- Sammy
To Help Others
"I chose to become a CNA because I want to pursue a career in nursing and help other people."
- Gracie
Sights on Becoming a Nurse
"I thought it would be a good experience since I want to be a nurse and I love helping people."
- Hailee
Lifetime Impacts
"My sister and I have both spent plenty of time in the hospital and got great care from nurses, so I would like to do the same."
- Erin
Testing the Waters
“I’m using the Nursing Assistant program as a way of dipping my toe in the medical field.”
- Steven
To Make People Feel Understood
“To eventually become a psych nurse in order to help people know they are cared about and not alone.”
- Cadence
To Care for Others
“I want to help people that can’t help themselves.”
- Abbi
Improving Lives
“I love helping and making peoples’ lives better.”
- Natalie
To Help Family
“So I can learn to help my family and then continue on to nursing.”
- Madelyn
Paying it Forward
“It is part of my plan to be a nurse. I want to be a nurse so I can pay forward the kindness nurses have shown me.”
- Molly
To Become a Nurse Practitioner
“I would like to become a nurse practitioner in my future.”
- Chelsea
Happy to Help
“I love helping people and seeing them thrive, and I plan to become a nurse.”
- Emma
Exploring Healthcare
“To see how well I like the field and I enjoy helping people.”
- Tristan
Building Relationships
"I chose to become a CNA because I love building relationships with patients and taking care of people on a personal level.”
- Abby
Passionate About Helping Others
“I chose Nursing Assistant because I have always had a passion for healthcare and helping others.”
- Shylah
Planning for the Future
“I chose to become a nursing assistant to help advance and gain experience in healthcare to help people in the future.”
- Sophia
Career Goals
“To gain experience to eventually work in healthcare.”
- Samantha
Amazing Opportunities
“I am pursuing a career in the medical field, and this is an amazing opportunity for experience.”
- Ryan
Entering the Medical Field
“I chose the CNA course because I want to gain medical knowledge before entering the field.”
- Ava
Experience with Patients
“I want to become a PA in the future and being a CNA gives me that patient experience.”
- Anna
Future Nurse
“I chose to become a CNA because I want to help people and pursue a career in nursing.”
- Hannah
Seeking Opportunities
“To gain experience in the medical field and find new opportunities.”
- Will
Building a Career
“I want to pursue a career in nursing.”
- Jenna
The First Step
“It’s an important step towards getting my nursing degree and a good first experience in the field.”
- Maisie
Hospital Experience
“Because I am going to nursing school and I want to get some experience in a hospital.”
- Serena
Career Advancement
“I chose the Nursing Assistant program because I want to further my career in the medical field.”
- Cheryl
Sense of Community
“I am interested in helping the community and to find my place in the community.”
- Anette
The Fundamentals
“The Nursing Assistant program helps me understand the fundamentals of the healthcare world, and you have to understand the fundamentals before going further.”
- Maximus
Lending a Helping Hand
“I want to be a person that anyone can go to for help. I always want to be a helping hand.”
- Ryanne
Medical Field Experience
“To get more involved in the medical field and gain experience.”
- Montana
Something to Enjoy
“I chose Nursing Assistant because I enjoy getting to care for people.”
- Ella
Community Focused
“I want to help my community stay happy, safe, and health.”
- Isabel
Helping Those in Need
“I want to help those in need to the best of my ability through healthcare.”
- Brooke
To Gain Nursing Experience
“I chose to become a CNA to gain experience before continuing on to nursing.”
- Olivia
Future Nurse Practitioner
“I want to be able to help others, and also gain experience in the healthcare field to continue my education and become a nurse practitioner.”
- Leslie
Learn More
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