Future nurses focused on learning in a free program

A group of young people are preparing to take the certification test to become CNAs, certified nursing assistants.

Maddie Palmer is just 16-years-old. "I’ve always had a dream to be a nurse since I was a little kid. I always thought it was interesting. And I love to help people," she told us.

Jaylen Paulson is a dad of two, and wants to find work that can support his family. "My grandma was a nurse for a lot of years. And I just wanted to do what she did. Hopefully I’ll be going into nursing someday, and this is just the start of it."

They’ve gone through an intense, 4 week hybrid class at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College. And they don’t have to pay for the class, or the test fee.

The Northeast Minnesota Office of Job Training (JET) is proud to provide the funding for the education and the steps afterwards.

Laura Nilsen, a career counselor with JET, told us, "On top of the class, we’re going to get them workforce ready. We’re going to help them pay for the things and provide the incentives and the support services to make sure they’re successful. Even after they finish this class, we’re not just going to leave them behind."

It’s a career that their teacher, Kathy Weber, has devoted her life to. "Nursing for me has been everything. It provided for my family, and given me self-worth, and self-esteem. I just owe a lot to nursing."

The hope is to hold another course for eligible students in June.

For more information, contact Laura Nilsen, career counselor, at Laura.nilsen@nemojt.org or 218-499-6090.