By Joshua Archer
Special to the Aroostook Republican
LIMESTONE — After months of training, the students of the certified nurse’s assistant program at Loring Job Corps gathered recently to signify their completion of the course with a first-ever ceremonial pinning.
Contributed photo
Taking part in the Jan. 20 Loring Job Corps ceremony for successful graduates of the certified nurse’s assistant program were, from left, front row: Daliah Sumpter, Bianca Rice, Diaja Katou, Jordan Kapilotis, Samson Nshimymania and CNA instructor Rhonda Higgins. Back row: lead CNA instructor Debbie Cameron, Joshua Watson, Allahna Perry, Rebecca Morillo, Krystina Dickson, Destiny Eason, Edgar Torres, Edward Ventura and Omar Diaz.
CNA students, along with fellow classmates, waited Jan. 20 for their names to be called while seated in the former Loring Air Force Base ballroom. One by one each student made their way to the front to receive their pin denoting their accomplishment.
Grouped together, the CNA students smiled while wearing their new pins and holding ceremonial candles moments before blowing them out in front of their cheering classmates.
Students come from far lengths to attend the Loring program in the pursuit to better themselves. CNA graduate Omar Diaz of Brazil says he’s proud of what he’s accomplished and hopes to attend Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle.
“I’m doing this for myself and my family back home. I’ve been at Job Corps for eight months and it’s been worth it. I came here because I felt back home I was being distracted while going to college and I felt moving away as far as possible, away from drama, would help me focus on school, which is what I did.
“I’m thinking about staying here in Maine and attending NMCC and work on my paramedic’s license, and for whatever the world has planned for me,” Diaz said.
Deborah Cameron, registered nurse and Loring Job Corps CNA instructor, says the pinning is the climax to completing the course. Loring Job Corps staff, she said, want to acknowledge each student and all their hard work.
“I really hold their feet to the line and I want them to be good caregivers, so they have to work hard,” Cameron said.
Each student must pass the CNA classroom component before moving on to the clinical phase, Cameron said.
“They have to demonstrate their skills before we take them to the clinical area where they work with real patients. We take them to the Maine Veterans Home in Caribou, Borderview Rehab and Living Center in Van Buren, Cary Medical Center, and currently we’re talking with The Aroostook Medical Center, hoping our students will be going there soon,” Cameron said.
Cameron added the most rewarding part of being a CNA instructor is when her students pass the state exam and as a result of all their hard work during their clinical trials she sees patients who really want her students to care for them.
