Christy Hyman (left) and Jasmyne Staton (right) are the first 2024-2025 Health Science Pathway students to complete the CNA certification.
CNA Certified Before High School Graduation
To become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in North Carolina, one must complete a state-approved training program, pass a competency exam, and be listed on the state registry.
Such an opportunity is typically offered at community colleges, hospitals, or healthcare facilities. Our students are accomplishing this while in high school, all at no cost.
Christy Hyman and Jazmyne Staton, Martin County High School seniors, are the first of Ward’s students in the Health Science Pathway to complete their CNA certification for the 2024-2025 school year.
Hyman, an aspiring pediatric nurse, says the accomplishment comes back to one thing: “I just like helping people.” Training time in area assisted living facilities gives students not only the opportunity to learn, but according to Hyman, “put a smile on people's faces.”
The hands-on training also gave Staton the viewpoint that some residents may not be okay with the situations that led them to assisted living. With that, she takes the chance to bond with residents, “and almost become like a part of their family.”
Vinya Ward, a practicing registered nurse, is the Health Science instructor for Martin County High School.
For students like Hyman and Staton, having a registered nurse as an instructor brings so much to their experience.
“It’s really fun,” Staton said. “And I’d say very helpful,” added Hyman.
They find Ward very approachable, which facilitates learning. Both students say they are grateful for Ward’s real-life career stories, which bring much to their experience.
“The state-approved training program is Nursing Fundamentals, taken senior year and offered by Martin County Schools for those completing the Health Science Pathway,” she explained.
Students first complete classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience.
“They must pass a written competency exam and must also pass the practical skills competency exam at a CNA testing facility by an evaluator. They then are listed on the CNA registry and are officially a Certified Nursing Assistant.”
Five additional students from the fall semester are waiting to complete the testing portions of their certifications. Ward cited a lack of available testing locations as part of the hold-up. Nine students from the spring semester will test later in the semester.
The federal government requires at least 75 hours of training, but states can mandate more. For Martin County High School students, many of these training hours are spent at local senior care facilities.
Waivers for costs are available through the Career and Technical Education Program, which oversees the possible student pathways such as Health Science. In North Carolina, this position is known as a Nurse Aide 1.
What advice would these soon-to-be graduates give younger students regarding finding their pathway?
“Take advantage of everything they want to do that’s within their career path, because you don’t want to do this somewhere else when the school offers it already,” said Staton.
Hyman was in total agreement. “Definitely take advantage of chances while you have them. We did this for free, and outside of school, you would have had to pay for everything.”
Whether it is the CNA program or any other program offered, Hyman reminds younger students, “If you’ve made up your mind to do something, stick to the plan.”
Even if you want to become a nurse, according to Staton, the CNA program is a great place to start. “It will make you have a better nursing experience and a better understanding of people.”