Three New Sites Chosen for Innovative TNA Program

Our Chelsea, Longmeadow and West Roxbury campuses have been approved as Temporary Nurse Aid (TNA) training sites, which is very exciting news. We will be able to train new groups of TNA’s and prepare them to take the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification. Essentially the TNA program allows individuals interested in becoming a CNA the opportunity to work alongside a certified nurse assistant. At the same time, they participate in online training so they will be qualified to take the state certification exam.

“We are thrilled to have received approval of these three TNA training sites,” said Terry Halliday, Chief Business Development Officer for Chelsea Jewish Lifecare and JGS Lifecare. “For some of our employees, this program provides an entree into the healthcare system.” Halliday added, “We recognize the fact that the course is costly to take on one’s own and are pleased to offer this benefit to those who embark upon this program.”

The TNA program is an excellent steppingstone for individuals desiring to work in a skilled nursing facility but have not yet been certified. Consisting of online class work, skills laboratory work and onsite clinical practical experience, the program offers hands-on, person centered care as part of a nursing team.

To date, our TNA program has met with huge success. We have already had 25 TNA graduates this year alone and more classes are in progress! With the recent approval of the TNA program on all three campuses, we will be able to train a greater number of people and offer employment opportunities to individuals who prove to be the right fit for our organization.

The Department of Health has acknowledged the benefits of a TNA program like ours in bringing in new CNA’s into the industry. Noted Halliday, “Our program serves as a model to skilled nursing facilities not only across Massachusetts, but throughout the country. In short, we are helping employees enter the nursing profession.”