North Harris College's CareerStart program supports student's dream of becoming a nurse

Jeniva Bailey has had some rough times in her life. But North Harris College's CareerStart program helped her turn her life around and is helping her progress toward her lifelong dream of having a career as a registered nurse (RN).

NHC's CareerStart certificate programs offer career level education and training certificates in as little as six to 30 weeks. All CareerStart programs are focused toward today's employment market opportunities. The program's goal is to prepare students for full-time job opportunities that pay high hourly wages. While the program is for anyone interested in career certificate training, it is especially designed for unemployed or underemployed members of the community.

Approximately three years ago Bailey was a full-time mother and housewife. Her husband worked full-time, and everything was going well until her husband's accident occurred.

"My husband was severely injured on the job. He broke his back," Bailey explains. "I knew that I would have to go to work. Although he had worker's compensation, it eventually ran out. I have always dreamed of becoming a RN. I called my mother-in-law who suggested I talk to a counselor at North Harris College. The counselor told me about the CareerStart program."

One of the certificates offered by CareerStart is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), and Bailey jumped at the chance to pursue her life-long goal.

"Although the program did not offer a RN degree, the CNA certificate was perfect because it gave me a chance to start learning the vital skills I would need to eventually earn my RN degree. It got my foot in the door of the nursing field," she says.

Certified nurse aides are in demand in hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Students qualify when they successfully complete the college's 80-hour program and pass the Texas CNA certification exam.

Bailey's classes were offered Monday through Friday. Tuesdays and Thursdays were basic nursing courses; while on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays she attended exciting, innovative career workshops.

"I learned so much, including interviewing skills and how to look for a job," she says. "CareerStart is a wonderful program. I can't stress it enough. The program paid for the medical supplies I needed for the course, like my stethoscope and blood pressure cuff. CareerStart put me on a solid foundation and helped me to get on my way to my career. It provided me with the initial nursing experience that I need to be a RN."

One person that Bailey expresses gratitude for is Chris Pfaff, North Harris College's coordinator of CareerStart, who Bailey says helped her with the ins and outs of the nursing program and professional development skills.

Pfaff encouraged and supported Bailey and other CareerStart students to professionally develop themselves for their prospective careers.

"For example, she sent me and some other CNA students to a nursing career fair and arranged the transportation for us," she says. "She is a very nice, sweet lady. She really cares about her students. She has taught me a lot."

Another example of Pfaff's thoughtfulness and caring attitude toward her students was the Dress for Success seminar she sent her students to, Bailey says.

"We tried on various business suits for job interviews. We were then sized and given the clothes for free! We also received shoes to go with them," she says.

Valuable computer skills were also part of the package, Bailey adds.

"We learned how to write resumes including cover letters and references lists," she says. " I had no prior knowledge on how to do these things, but with Ms. Pfaff and CareerStart's help, I was ready to get out there and start my career!"

After earning her CNA certificate, Bailey was offered a job at St. Joseph's hospital as a personal care assistant. She still attends North Harris College studying for her RN degree.

"I have two years to go, but I don't mind. I love my job at St. Joseph's Hospital. Some of the tasks I do include drawing blood, checking vital signs and working with many different machines," she says. "It is great!"

"I think that it is great that they are helping people who want to help themselves. That is what it is really all about, and CareerStart helps make dreams come true. It sure is helping make my dream become a reality," she concludes.

For more information about CareerStart, call 281.618.7188.

North Harris College is located at 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive, one mile south of FM 1960, between Aldine-Westfield and Hardy Roads. For more information about the college, call 281.618.5400 or send e-mail to: [email protected]

North Harris College is a member of North Harris Montgomery Community College District, which also includes Kingwood College, Montgomery College, Tomball College and the University Center.