Broadway House is teaming up with District 1199J and the New Jersey Department of Labor to build the pool of qualified Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)—a big win for our residents, prospective CNAs, and the healthcare field.

A team of 10 prospective CNAs, who are currently enrolled at Essex County College, recently arrived at Broadway House to begin their clinical rotations here. All are part of a six-month pre-apprenticeship program called Youth Transitions to Work funded through a grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor, Department of Apprenticeship. Administered by the Training and Development Fund, the program recruits, trains, mentors, and places students into apprenticeships at area hospitals and nursing homes. Under the direction of Broadway House professionals, the students will learn vital real-world career skills, including lifting, bathing, and building strong connections with residents; changing bed linens, including when the bed is occupied; and ensuring that all state regulations are followed.

Essex County College is a subcontractor within the grant, providing 90-hour state certification. The students felt welcomed at Broadway House and got to work immediately. One student named China said, “We are always on the move here. I love interacting in a lot of different ways with the residents.” Jelys, another student, added, “The CNAs at Broadway House really know their residents.” Looking to the future, the students say they’d like to use their CNA training as a steppingstone to eventually become registered nurses.

The grant from District 1199J—the National Union of Hospital and Healthcare Employees, AFSCME, AFL-CIO—provides financial assistance to the Essex County College students. It was created in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Labor to remove barriers that prevent community residents from accessing healthcare education. The grant’s ultimate goal is to create a pipeline from education to employment.