Wellstar Offers North Star CNA Training Program for Adult Learners
Wellstar Health System
Quality Careers & Workplaces
Healthcare
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
In November 2020, Wellstar Health System launched an “earn while you learn” Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training program that offers adults both entry and access to healthcare careers by paying them upfront for their participation—which provides income for the training period—and a condensed training period that better fits their life circumstances. While participating, adult students gain certification from a technical school during the initial 5-8 weeks, then apply what they learned while working in the medical surgery unit of WellStar.
PROGRAM IMPACT
Typical turnover at the CNA level was around 68%, according to Natalie Jones, Executive Director of Workforce Development for Wellstar. However, 328 participants have graduated from the program since its launch, and the turnover rate has been reduced by more than half to an average of 29%.
INNOVATION
In addition to the shortened timeframe for training, participants are paid on the front end for their participation. Jones says the “beauty of it is we are paying them up front and in good faith that they will succeed.”
PARTNERS
- Technical College System of Georgia
- Marietta City Schools
LESSONS LEARNED
Students are more successful if they understand the nature of the work upfront and that they need to develop milestones and incentives along the way to keep students engaged and motivated. Jones says they also intend to offer more robust wraparound services such as childcare and transportation in the future.
“We can build employer loyalty starting at the onboarding process by letting participants know this is a long-term investment for us, and we are going to surround them with a team that supports them and wants them to succeed.”
– NATALIE JONES, Executive Director of Workforce Development
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