Givens Communities Training and Development Department announces the Summer 2024 Nurse Aide class has successfully completed training and passed their state exams. Congratulations to Deja Shivers, Rita Massey, Jaret Foreman and Mary Odems on obtaining CNA licensure.

The group now have assignment at Givens Communities Health Centers as part of a team providing quality care to residents.

Deja will be working at Givens Estates Health Center. Rita, Jaret and Mary have positions at Givens Highland Farms Health Center.

This class was unique in that all trainees came to the program with a wide variety of caregiving experiences such as working with neuro-divergent youth, developmentally disabled clients of all ages, and elders with chronic conditions including dementia. They brought the benefit of those experiences to their Nurse Aide training, enriching the learning process with stories, practical examples, and insights.

They exemplified the Givens Communities core value of “Power of Community” in coming together as a cohesive team in support of each other until the very end.

“I couldn’t be prouder of this group,” said Linda Stanton, RN, Program Coordinator and Lead Instructor. “The level of maturity and experience they brought made teaching this class a joy and I learned so much from them as well. I trust they will bring this team spirit and support with them to their new workplaces.

“We give thanks to all Givens Communities leaders and residents for their support of this important in-house training program. Special thanks to Elizabeth Hutchins, RN, Maggie Ragan, RN, and Lauryl Reed, RN, for assisting in their learning process.”

Several program enhancements are in development, including revised N.C Nurse Aide curriculum and an enhanced transition to practice component between training and work placements. The Resident Assistant part of training will continue in a revised format focused on trainees becoming familiar with the working environments and practicing communication skills. Application is being made to the state to add another training spot and slightly increase the number of clinical rotation hours.

The next Givens Nurse Aide Training class begins October 9, with applications available soon. For more information contact Kayla Welch, Lead Talent Acquisition Specialist, at

kw****@gi***************.org











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