HANCEVILLE, Ala. – On Wednesday afternoon, staff at Hanceville Nursing and Rehab received a special treat in the form of Frios pops and thank-you cards delivered by Cullman Area Technology Academy (CATA) Health Science teachers Tracy Smith and Adrian Basch. The instructors came by to thank the nursing home’s staffers for their recent assistance to 12 graduating CATA students in gaining their certification as nursing assistants. With COVID-19 shutdowns affecting educational programs, the students’ opportunities to become certified in time for graduation were up in the air until the nursing home staff stepped in.
Smith told The Tribune, “We’ve had a relationship with them for over six years. They helped us with our nursing program, and this year they really stepped up and ensured that our seniors were able to get their certification, due to the coronavirus.”
Basch added, “They were willing to host them here at their facility, in their classroom, of course using social distancing and masks, and different things like that, but these students are able now to get a job because they’re certified. In this day and time, considering everything that’s going on, it just usually would not have been that way.”
Smith continued, “This is just another community outreach. Our students have really pushed community service this year, as always.”
Hanceville Nursing and Rehab RN Unit Manager Linda Taylor said of CATA’s nursing students, “They came down to Hanceville Nursing and Rehab to be checked off on their skills, and these students have done a wonderful job. I was very impressed with how much knowledge they had of taking care of residents. I just think that they did a great job.”
Cullman County Schools Special Projects Coordinator Dr. T.J. Franey accompanied the teachers, and she told The Tribune, “We wouldn’t be able to do a lot of opportunities for our students if it wasn’t for partnerships we have with different organizations and businesses in our community, so we’re very appreciative to them.”
Three CATA 2020 seniors have already been hired to work at Hanceville Nursing and Rehab.
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