Community CNA graduates making a difference, every day

In March 2023 Monument Health partnered with the West River AHEC to launch a Community based CNA program. Since the program launched, 12 people have been certified and 22 are currently enrolled with another 30 ready to start.

Graduates of the Community CNA class go on to work in the health care field and some use this as a way to kickstart their medical career.

Annaliese Braucht recently completed the Community CNA program. She was recruited through the Community CNA Program and now works as a nurse aide in the Pediatrics Unit at Rapid City Hospital. She’s also a full-time student at South Dakota Mines, working toward her bachelor’s degree with the goal of one day going to medical school.

“I took on the community program as a way to expand my knowledge in the medical field and learn how to work with patients hands-on,” Annaliese said. “I want to do something to help now and try to bring a smile to the faces of those people who need help.”

The Monument Health self-paced Community CNA Program allows students to continue working or going to school while working toward their CNA certification. For Annaliese, the flexibility and opportunity to model the program around her school work was a significant benefit. Taking part has made a considerable impact on her career aspirations.

“Originally I was looking at studying medical research, but after getting some really good hands-on experience with patient care, I’ve shifted my focus towards pursuing medical school following my bachelor’s degree.”

Even if nursing or medical school isn’t in your future, Annaliese encourages anyone looking for a new career to consider the Community CNA Program.

“This program is great because you are able to make so many connections and use those resources to figure out what you’re interested in. Also because of the self pacing, I felt like it gave me an opportunity to really learn the material in a way that I felt comfortable with. Regardless of what background you are coming from, at the end of the day, I feel you become very qualified for your job and have a solid knowledge of what you were expected to know.”

West River AHEC’s Rural Health Workers Program has committed to paying 100 percent of the tuition for students enrolled in the Community CNA Program. Through the program, the students are also eligible to receive a $1,000 stipend to pay for books, scrubs, day care, travel or other needs students may have.