Realizing a need for consistent and thoroughly trained CNAs to care for the patients at a hospice and end-of-life care organization, Carolina Caring Chief Operations Officer Susan Nelson had an idea: have an in-house CNA Training Program to better prepare CNA students working for her hospice. For over forty-three years, Carolina Caring has helped those with serious illnesses and end-of-life care. Noticing the need to recruit prepared hospice and serious illness CNAs, this innovative hospice staff came up with an excellent plan to address its own internal needs by proposing this training program for grant funding.

According to Ben Dungan, Carolina Caring’s grant administrator, the state-approved CNA curriculum does not include much hospice and end-of-life care training. Therefore, many CNA new hires feel unprepared and sadly, inadequate when working in a hospice environment. The in-house training program addresses this profound need to better prepare hospice CNAs as professional healthcare providers and to provide the best care possible for its hospice patients. The program includes the full state-approved training and CNA testing but also includes additional hospice-specific training through simulated common scenarios, shadowing, and mentorship within the organization. CNAs who graduate from this program will be better prepared for what to expect, as they will have been trained first-hand by Carolina Caring staff and experts.

The CCME Foundation grant funds were provided to Carolina Caring to cover the state-approved equipment, supplies, and the cost of the curriculum to establish this in-house CNA program. The course includes the normal six-week CNA curriculum but also includes an additional two weeks of hospice and serious illness training at the facility. The first class of ten students began in March 2023, and Carolina Caring has planned its second class for August – already, there is a waiting list. They hope to be able to hold two class per year and increase learning opportunities each session. Ben Dungan stated, “We are building the plane as we’re flying it.”

Students accepted into the program receive all materials, uniforms, testing fees, and a stipend for living expenses (students typically must leave other employers to be able to take the course) during the training period before beginning employment with Carolina Caring. In addition, students agree to commit to working for Carolina Caring for a minimum of six-months following graduation and state testing. Barbara Lloyd, a student in the CNA program shared, “With your help, it’s helping me to fulfill my dreams…and with hospice, now I have the opportunity to do what they did for my mom.”

To learn more about this innovative and exciting new project that is addressing a gap in healthcare, please visit: www.CarolinaCaring.org.