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New program provides training for "portable" career

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Sandra Brasfield said for as long as she could remember, she's wanted to be a registered nurse. Heather Gardner said she wants a career in the health care field, too. Through Tinker's new certified nursing assistant training program, both Air Force wives are one step closer to achieving their dreams.

The program, funded by an annual Air Force Aid Society grant, debuted in mid-July. Held at the Mid-Del Technology Center in Midwest City, 16 students are enrolled in the accelerated training program, which consists of 75 classroom hours and up to 40 internship hours.

"This program is a continuing effort to try and assist the spouses of active duty members," said Steve Auld, 72nd Force Support Squadron community readiness consultant at the Airman and Family Readiness Center. "With the mobile lifestyle of the Air Force family, the spouses are at such a disadvantage. Active-duty folks are changing locations, but they have jobs. The spouses do not."

Mr. Auld first brainstormed the idea of a certified assistant nursing training program in August 2008. With the help of Stan Greil, vice president for Workforce Development and Corporate Training at Rose State College, the two men talked about entry-level positions that gave people with mobile lifestyles the best opportunity for success.

Nursing assistants often provide basic nursing care for patients in hospitals, home care and assisted living facilities. Their work is monitored by registered nurses and other medical professionals.

Mr. Auld said he applied for the grant in December 2008 and it was approved this past February. The grant is only good for the July class, which will wrap in mid-August. Should Mr. Auld and Tinker officials decide to offer the class again next year, they will have to reapply for the grant. As is, the grant pays for the students' materials, including text books, workbooks and a stethoscope. Other costs such as lab fees, career placement counseling sessions and placement assistance through Rose State College are also covered through the grant.

The class was open to Air Force spouses on a first-come first-serve basis. Mrs. Brasfield and Mrs. Gardner said their husbands each received e-mails about the program and relayed the necessary information for them to sign up. Both women said after placing the initial call, all they had to do was show up for orientation.

Now that class is underway, their efforts are focused on studying. The class meets Monday through Thursday for six hours each day. Students said they spend up to five hours a day on homework. At the conclusion of the class, students must be able to pass a certification test.

"You really have to pay attention," said Mrs. Brasfield, a mother of two young children. "If you miss one thing, you miss a lot. The class is so condensed. There's a lot of reading and workbook [assignments]."

Mrs. Brasfield said when the class wraps she'd like to work on her nursing degree at Rose State College or the University of Oklahoma.

Mrs. Gardner, a mother of four, said while she doesn't think the class is as intense, she realizes the opportunity she has and doesn't want to take it for granted.

Mrs. Gardner said ultimately she'd like to become a registered nurse too, but she thinks she's like to spend a year in the home health care field before pursuing a nursing degree.